How do I start an NDIS application?

Start by making an access request. You can do this by calling the NDIS on 1800 800 110 and making a verbal access request, or by completing the Access Request Form. Before you begin, check the access requirements on ndis.gov.au and gather evidence from your treating professionals. A Local Area Coordinator or Early Childhood partner can help you through the whole process.

What evidence do I need to apply?

You need evidence from your treating professionals that describes how your disability affects your daily function, not just your diagnosis. This might come from your GP, specialists or allied health professionals. Helpful evidence explains what you can and cannot do, the support you need, and whether your disability is likely to be permanent. Recent, detailed reports are usually the most useful.

Can someone help me apply for the NDIS?

Yes. Local Area Coordinators and Early Childhood partners provide free help to make an access request, understand the questions and gather evidence. You can also call the NDIS on 1800 800 110 for guidance, or ask a family member, friend or independent advocate to support you. You do not have to go through the process alone.

How long does an NDIS access decision take?

The NDIA generally aims to make an access decision within 21 days of receiving your access request and all the information it needs. If your evidence is incomplete, the NDIA may ask for more, and the decision can take longer while that information is provided. Submitting a full, clear picture up front helps avoid delays.

What is a verbal access request?

A verbal access request is when you make your NDIS access request over the phone by calling 1800 800 110, rather than filling in the Access Request Form. You will be asked for your personal details and information about your disability, and you will need to confirm your identity. It can be a simpler option if you find forms difficult.

What happens if I am found eligible?

If you meet the access requirements, you become an NDIS participant and prepare for your first plan. You will usually be offered a planning meeting, often with a Local Area Coordinator, Early Childhood partner or NDIA planner, to talk about your goals and the supports you need. It helps to come prepared and you can bring someone with you.

How to apply for the NDIS, step by step

From gathering evidence to making an access request, and what happens after you apply.

Applying to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) can feel daunting, but the process follows a clear set of steps. If you have a permanent and significant disability, you can ask the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) to decide whether you meet the access requirements and can become a participant.

This guide walks you through what to check before you start, how to gather the right evidence, how to make an access request, and what happens next. Free help is available from Local Area Coordinators (LACs) and Early Childhood partners, and from the NDIS on 1800 800 110.

In this guide

Check the access requirements first, including age, residency and disability criteria.
Gather evidence from your treating professionals that describes how your disability affects your everyday function, not just your diagnosis.
Make an access request by phone on 1800 800 110 (a verbal request) or by using the Access Request Form.
The NDIA generally aims to decide within 21 days of receiving your request and all the information it needs.
If you are found eligible you will be offered a planning meeting; if your request is declined you can ask for a review.

Before you apply

Before you make an access request, it helps to check that you are likely to meet the NDIS access requirements. These cover your age, where you live and your residency status, and whether you have a disability that meets the disability or early intervention requirements. You can read the current criteria on ndis.gov.au and in the NDIS Our Guidelines, which explain how the NDIA makes access decisions.

The NDIS is for people with a permanent and significant disability that affects their ability to take part in everyday activities. If you are unsure whether you meet the requirements, you do not have to work it out alone. A Local Area Coordinator or, for a young child, an Early Childhood partner can talk through your situation and help you understand your options before you apply.

It is also worth thinking about what supports you already have and what you are hoping the NDIS might help with. Knowing your goals early makes the later steps smoother, and it helps the professionals who write your evidence understand what to focus on. Taking a little time to prepare now can save delays later.

Gather your evidence

Evidence is the heart of a strong access request. The NDIA needs to understand not just what your diagnosis is, but how your disability affects your daily life. Ask your treating professionals, such as your GP, specialists, allied health professionals or other clinicians, to describe your function: what you can and cannot do, the support you need, and how your condition affects areas like mobility, communication, self-care, learning and social participation.

Recent, detailed reports from professionals who know you well tend to be the most useful. Evidence that simply confirms a diagnosis without explaining its impact often leaves the NDIA needing more information, which can slow things down. Where possible, ask your professionals to comment on whether your disability is likely to be permanent and how it limits your everyday activities.

Gather your evidence together before you submit so the NDIA has a full picture from the start. If you are missing something, an LAC or Early Childhood partner can help you understand what kinds of evidence are usually needed and how to ask your treating team for it. Keep your own copies of everything you collect.

Make the access request

There are two main ways to make an access request. You can call the NDIS on 1800 800 110 and make a verbal access request over the phone, or you can complete the Access Request Form, which is available through the NDIS. Either way, you will be asked for some personal details and information about your disability, and you will need to confirm your identity.

You do not have to do this by yourself. A Local Area Coordinator or Early Childhood partner can help you make the request, explain the questions and support you through the process at no cost. This can be especially helpful if you find forms difficult or want someone to talk things through with.

When you make your request, be ready to give consent for the NDIA to collect and use your information, and to nominate anyone you would like to act or speak on your behalf. Making a clear, complete request from the outset helps the NDIA get moving on your application.

After you apply

Once you have made your access request, submit your supporting evidence so the NDIA can assess it. The NDIA may contact you if it needs more information, so keep an eye on your phone, email and mail, and respond promptly to keep things on track.

The NDIA generally aims to make an access decision within 21 days of receiving your access request and all the information it needs. If your evidence is incomplete, the clock effectively waits until the missing information arrives, which is another reason to submit a full picture up front.

You will be told the outcome in writing. It is a good idea to keep copies of your request, your evidence and any letters you receive, so you have a record of what was submitted and when.

If you're found eligible

If the NDIA decides you meet the access requirements, you become an NDIS participant. The next step is to prepare for your first plan. You will usually be offered a planning meeting, where you talk about your life, your goals and the supports that will help you pursue them.

This meeting is often held with a Local Area Coordinator, an Early Childhood partner or an NDIA planner. It helps to come prepared with your goals and an idea of the everyday support you need, so the conversation reflects what matters most to you. You can bring a family member, friend or advocate along for support.

After the meeting, the NDIA develops your plan, which sets out your funded supports and how they connect to other services in your community. Understanding your plan once you receive it is the next part of your NDIS journey.

If your request is declined

Not every access request is approved the first time. If the NDIA decides you do not meet the access requirements, it will tell you in writing and explain the reasons for the decision. This can be disappointing, but it is not necessarily the end of the road.

You have the right to ask for a review of the decision. Often, the reason a request is declined is that the evidence did not clearly show how your disability affects your everyday function. Gathering stronger, more detailed evidence from your treating professionals can make a real difference to a review.

If you decide to seek a review, a Local Area Coordinator, Early Childhood partner or an independent advocate can help you understand the reasons for the decision and what to do next. You can also call the NDIS on 1800 800 110 for guidance. Keeping copies of everything remains important throughout this process.

Frequently asked questions

How do I start an NDIS application?: Start by making an access request. You can do this by calling the NDIS on 1800 800 110 and making a verbal access request, or by completing the Access Request Form. Before you begin, check the access requirements on ndis.gov.au and gather evidence from your treating professionals. A Local Area Coordinator or Early Childhood partner can help you through the whole process.
What are the NDIS access requirements?: The access requirements cover your age, your residency status and where you live, and whether you meet the disability or early intervention requirements. Broadly, the NDIS is for people with a permanent and significant disability that affects their everyday activities. The current criteria are set out on ndis.gov.au and explained in the NDIS Our Guidelines, which describe how access decisions are made.
What evidence do I need to apply?: You need evidence from your treating professionals that describes how your disability affects your daily function, not just your diagnosis. This might come from your GP, specialists or allied health professionals. Helpful evidence explains what you can and cannot do, the support you need, and whether your disability is likely to be permanent. Recent, detailed reports are usually the most useful.
Can someone help me apply for the NDIS?: Yes. Local Area Coordinators and Early Childhood partners provide free help to make an access request, understand the questions and gather evidence. You can also call the NDIS on 1800 800 110 for guidance, or ask a family member, friend or independent advocate to support you. You do not have to go through the process alone.
How long does an NDIS access decision take?: The NDIA generally aims to make an access decision within 21 days of receiving your access request and all the information it needs. If your evidence is incomplete, the NDIA may ask for more, and the decision can take longer while that information is provided. Submitting a full, clear picture up front helps avoid delays.
What is a verbal access request?: A verbal access request is when you make your NDIS access request over the phone by calling 1800 800 110, rather than filling in the Access Request Form. You will be asked for your personal details and information about your disability, and you will need to confirm your identity. It can be a simpler option if you find forms difficult.
What happens if I am found eligible?: If you meet the access requirements, you become an NDIS participant and prepare for your first plan. You will usually be offered a planning meeting, often with a Local Area Coordinator, Early Childhood partner or NDIA planner, to talk about your goals and the supports you need. It helps to come prepared and you can bring someone with you.
What can I do if my request is declined?: If your request is declined, the NDIA will explain the reasons in writing, and you can ask for a review of the decision. Often the issue is that the evidence did not clearly show how your disability affects your everyday function, so stronger evidence can help. A Local Area Coordinator, Early Childhood partner or advocate can support you through a review.

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Official NDIS sources

Novida is an independent directory, not the NDIA. We explain each form in plain English and link you to the official copy — always download and submit the current version from the official website, as forms are updated from time to time.