National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)

Will I be eligible to participate in the NDIS?

If you are a person with a disability and want to join the NDIS, you need to meet the access requirements. To be eligible, you must:

• live in an area where the NDIS is available in WA
• be aged between 9 and 65 years of age (visit the NDIS website at this link for the approach taken for children under 9)
• be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or have a special visa
• meet the disability requirements, and
• meet the early intervention requirements.

Disability requirements

You may meet the disability requirements if you meet the following 4 criteria:

1. You have an impairment or condition that is likely to be permanent (life long).
2. Your impairment substantially reduces your ability to participate effectively in activities, or perform tasks or actions:
   • unless you have assistance from other people, technology or equipment (other than common items, like glasses), or
   • even with that assistance, aides or equipment.
3. Your impairment affects your capacity for social and economic participation.
4. You are likely to require support under the NDIS for your lifetime.

It is possible to meet those requirements even if your impairment varies in intensity at different times (such as a chronic episodic impairment or condition).

Early intervention requirements

You may meet the early intervention requirements if you:

• have an impairment or condition that is likely to be permanent (lifelong) and receiving supports now may reduce how much help you need in the future, or
• are a child under six with a developmental delay that means you usually need more help with self-care, communication, learning or motor skills compared to other children of the same age, and you need an individually planned and coordinated plan for care, treatment or support over an extended period.

You must also show that the supports are most appropriately funded through the NDIS, and not through another service system (such as state health or education).

See here to access an NDIS eligibility checklist. 

The NDIA will decide if you are eligible for NDIS.

What type of support I can get from the NDIS?

The NDIA will assess your application and work out what help you need with your disability. This may include: 

• giving you access to community services and activities
• giving you equipment, such as a wheelchair or communications device
• helping you work out an individual plan for the support you will need in your daily life, and
• treating your disability early, so you may need less support later in your life.

What are my rights under the NDIS?

If the NDIA says you can get care and support to help with your disability, you have the right to:

• get the reasonable and necessary supports you need to meet your goals
• have choice and control over the way in which your supports are delivered, and
• have a support person help you deal with NDIS staff.

Get help

The NDIS website has information including booklets on how to apply, how to create your NDIS plan and how to use your NDIS plan. You can also call their helpline on 1800 800 110 or visit your nearest NDIS office.

You can find out how to access the NDIS in WA on the NDIS Western Australia webpage.

Legal Aid WA can assist with disputes with the NDIS.

More information

• The National Insurance Disability Scheme website

Reviewed: 21 September 2022