What to Do If Your NDIS Access Request Is Rejected
Had your NDIS access request rejected? Here's what the decision means, how to request a review within 3 months, and the evidence that helps.
What a rejection actually means
Why NDIS access requests get rejected
Step one: read the decision letter carefully
Your two main options: reapply or request a review
How to request a review (and the 3-month deadline)
The evidence that makes the difference
A real-life scenario
If the internal review still says no: the ART
Where to get free help
How eligibility is changing — and what stays the same
If you don't qualify for the NDIS at all
Your next step
Frequently asked questions
How long do I have to challenge an NDIS rejection?
As a general rule you have three months from the day you receive the access decision to request a formal review from the NDIA. If that internal review is unsuccessful, you then usually have 28 days to apply to the Administrative Review Tribunal. Because these timeframes are set in legislation and start from the date you receive the decision, confirm your exact dates with the NDIA on 1800 800 110.
Can I just apply again instead of asking for a review?
Yes. If your first request was rejected mainly because you didn't have strong evidence at the time, gathering better functional-impact evidence and lodging a new access request can be the most direct path. If you believe the NDIA got the decision wrong on the evidence you already gave, a formal review is usually the better route. An advocate can help you choose.
Does a rejection mean I'll never be eligible?
No. A rejection reflects the information the NDIA had at the time, and many people are found eligible on a second attempt or after a review once they provide clear evidence of how their disability affects daily life. Nothing about you needs to change — often it's the evidence that needs to be stronger and more specific about functional impact.
Do I need a lawyer to go to the ART?
No. The Administrative Review Tribunal is designed to be accessible without a lawyer, and there is usually a case conference to try to resolve things before any hearing. Free help is available through disability advocates and the Legal Aid NDIS Appeals service, and extra appeals advocacy funding has been provided in 2026-27 specifically to support people challenging NDIS decisions.
What's the single most important thing to fix before reapplying?
Evidence of functional impact — how your condition affects everyday activities like self-care, mobility, communication and self-management, not just the diagnosis itself. Ask your treating professionals to describe what you can't do without help and to confirm the impairment is permanent or likely permanent. This is the gap behind most rejections.