The NDIS (National Disability Insurance Scheme) is a core Australian welfare scheme that provides lifelong support to people with a permanent, significant disability. Among foreigners living in Australia, citizens, permanent residents, and Protected Special Category Visa (SCV) holders can also apply if they meet the requirements. This guide walks you through each step, from checking your eligibility to applying and managing your plan.
This page is general information only and is not legal, migration, or welfare advice. The NDIS is undergoing reforms in 2026, so eligibility requirements, processes, amounts, and timeframes may change. Before applying, always check the latest information on the official website ndis.gov.au or on 1800 800 110. If English is difficult for you, you can be connected to a free interpreter via TIS 131 450.
The NDIS (National Disability Insurance Scheme) is Australia's national scheme that funds support to help people with a permanent and significant disability take part in everyday, social, and economic life. It is run by the NDIA (National Disability Insurance Agency).
The NDIS is separate from Medicare (healthcare) and Centrelink (income support). If you have family members who are permanent residents in Australia, it can be a key resource for disability support for your children, spouse, or parents.
The residence requirement is central. To apply for the NDIS, you must live in Australia and be an Australian citizen, or hold a Permanent Visa or a Protected Special Category Visa (SCV). Temporary visas (student, working holiday, temporary work visas, etc.) are generally not eligible.
NDIS eligibility requires you to meet all three of ① age ② residence ③ disability (or early intervention).
If you're unsure about your eligibility, you can check in advance with the official eligibility checklist (ndis.gov.au), or get free advice from an NDIS partner (LAC) in your local area.
An NDIS application starts with an Access Request. The key document is the Access Request Form (ARF), which has two parts.
How to apply — submit the completed form in one of the following ways.
If completing the form or preparing evidence is difficult, you can get free help from an NDIS partner (LAC or early childhood partner) in your local area.
A decision usually within 21 days
For an Access Request that includes all the required information, the NDIA aims to make a decision generally within 21 days. If you are asked for further information, the timeframe may be longer.
If approved, you become a participant and move on to the planning stage. If declined, you receive the reasons for the decision along with information on how to request a review.
Once you become an NDIS participant, a planning meeting helps you set out your goals and the support you need, so you receive an individual plan and funding. There are free support workers who help with the meeting and connect you to start your plan.
LACs work for 'Partners in the Community' organisations contracted by the NDIA and are the main point of contact for participants aged 9 to 64. They help you understand and start your plan, connect to services, and review your plan — all for free. Even if you're not eligible for the NDIS, you can still receive information, connections, and capacity-building support.
For children under 9, an early childhood partner connects the family with the NDIS and helps with early intervention support. You can get guidance on developmental support even before formally joining the NDIS. (Under the 2026 reforms, some mild-to-moderate developmental support is moving to separate programs such as 'Thriving Kids' — see point 7 below.)
Once your plan is approved, you choose how to manage the funding. Each option strikes a different balance between control and administrative effort, and you can mix them by category within a single plan.
The NDIA manages the funding directly and handles claims and payments. This involves the least administrative effort, but you can only use NDIS registered providers, so it offers the narrowest choice.
A Plan Manager of your choosing handles budget management and payments, and that cost is added to your plan as separate funding. You can use both registered and unregistered providers, giving a good balance of control and convenience. (NDIS price limits still apply.)
You (or your nominee) manage the funding directly and pay providers yourself. You have the most control and can freely choose registered and unregistered providers, but it also carries the greatest administrative responsibility and time commitment, such as keeping receipts and records.
Even if your English isn't strong, you can apply for and ask about the NDIS in your own language. For NDIS participants and carers, interpreting is free.
Call TIS National 131 450, say the language you speak, and ask to be connected to the NDIS (1800 800 110). You can then apply or make enquiries through an interpreter.
If you have a hearing or speech impairment, you can use the National Relay Service or TTY 1800 555 677.
The NDIS contact centre 1800 800 110 usually operates Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm (local time). Hours may change, so check ndis.gov.au.
The NDIS is being reformed in stages from 2026 to make the scheme fairer and more consistent. The main directions are as follows.
The reform timeline and details are still changing. The dates and program names above are based on what was announced at the time. For the exact details that apply to you or your child, always check with ndis.gov.au or an NDIS partner (LAC) in your local area.
Even if you're not eligible for the NDIS or your application is declined, there is still help available.
These related guides may also be helpful.
Official NDIS website — eligibility, applying, plans, and management options overall
Check eligibility — age, residence, and disability requirements and the eligibility checklist
How to apply — the Access Request Form and submission process
TIS National — free phone interpreting in your own language (131 450)
NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission — channel for service complaints and reports
Department of Health, Disability and Ageing — foundational support policies such as Thriving Kids
All the links above are official Australian Government pages. Phone numbers, emails, processes, amounts, and timeframes may change, so always check the latest information on ndis.gov.au before applying.
Yes. If you live in Australia and are an Australian citizen, or hold a Permanent Visa or a Protected Special Category Visa (Protected SCV), you meet the residence requirement. On top of that, you must also meet the under-65 and permanent, significant disability (or early intervention) requirements to apply. Temporary visas such as student or working holiday visas are generally not eligible.
There is no cost to apply for or take part in the NDIS itself. The funding in your approved plan pays for your services. Interpreting through TIS (131 450) is also free for NDIS participants and carers. However, depending on your plan management option, the plan manager's cost is added to your plan as separate funding.
Call TIS National 131 450, say the language you speak, and ask to be connected to the NDIS (1800 800 110); you can then apply or make enquiries through an interpreter. If you have a hearing or speech impairment, you can use the National Relay Service or TTY 1800 555 677.
If you find it hard to agree with the decision, you can request a review by following the process you're given. Even if you're not an NDIS participant, a Local Area Coordinator (LAC) provides information, connections, and capacity-building support for local services for free, and you can also draw on mainstream services such as hospitals, community health, and school support.
