Eligibility (access requirements)

The rules that decide who can become an NDIS participant, including age, residence and disability requirements.

What it means

Eligibility refers to the access requirements that decide who can become an NDIS participant. In general terms, these requirements cover a person's age, their residency, and either the disability requirements or the early intervention requirements. Meeting all of the relevant requirements is what allows a person to access the Scheme. Eligibility is sometimes described as meeting the access criteria.

Deciding eligibility is not automatic and is not based on a diagnosis alone. The NDIA assesses whether a person meets the requirements using evidence about their disability and how it affects their everyday life. This means the focus is on the impact of the disability on functioning, alongside the more straightforward checks around age and residency.

In practice

In practice, checking eligibility usually starts with the simpler requirements, such as whether a person falls within the required age range and meets the residency rules. The disability or early intervention requirements are then considered using evidence, often from treating health professionals, that describes the disability, whether it is likely to be permanent, and how it affects daily function.

For people applying, this means it helps to gather clear, relevant evidence before making a request to access the Scheme. Strong evidence that explains the functional impact of a disability supports a smoother assessment. If a person does not meet the requirements, they can seek a review of the decision. Understanding the requirements early helps set realistic expectations and reduces delays.

A real example

For example, Aisha wants to find out if she can join the NDIS. She checks that she meets the age and residency requirements, then gathers reports from her treating professionals describing her disability and its impact on daily life. The NDIA uses this information to decide whether she meets the access criteria and can become a participant.

Eligibility (access requirements) — FAQs

What are the main NDIS access requirements?
In general terms, the access requirements cover age, residency, and either the disability requirements or the early intervention requirements. A person needs to meet the relevant requirements to become a participant. The age and residency checks are relatively straightforward, while the disability or early intervention requirements are assessed using evidence about how the disability affects everyday functioning.
Is a diagnosis enough to be eligible for the NDIS?
No. A diagnosis on its own does not decide eligibility. The NDIA looks at how a disability affects a person's everyday functioning, using evidence from treating professionals. Age and residency requirements also apply. So while a diagnosis is part of the picture, the assessment focuses on functional impact and whether the disability or early intervention requirements are met.
What is assessed when deciding eligibility?
Eligibility is assessed against the access requirements: age, residency, and the disability or early intervention requirements. For the disability side, the NDIA considers evidence about the person's disability, whether it is likely to be permanent, and how it affects daily function. Providing clear, relevant evidence that describes this functional impact helps the assessment run more smoothly.
What happens if I do not meet the requirements?
If the NDIA decides a person does not meet the access requirements, that decision can be reviewed. It can also help to look again at the evidence provided, as clearer information about the functional impact of a disability may be relevant. Understanding exactly which requirement was not met can guide what to do next, whether that is a review or gathering further evidence.
Does 'eligibility' mean the same as 'access criteria'?
Yes. Eligibility for the NDIS is another way of describing whether a person meets the access requirements, sometimes called the access criteria. Both terms refer to the same idea: the requirements around age, residency, and disability or early intervention that decide who can become a participant. Meeting these requirements is what allows a person to access the Scheme.

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