If you are aged between 9 and 65, a local area coordinator can help you to understand the NDIS, apply and connect with other government and community supports.

If you have a child younger than 9, an early childhood partner can provide supports to children before they apply, and let families know if the NDIS is right for their child.

To be a participant of the NDIS you need to be living in Australia or have one of two visa types which means you can live in Australia as Australian Citizen or hold.

• A permanent residency visa or;
• A protected special category visa: Only for some citizens of New Zealand.

Besides meeting residency requirements, age is also a key factor in determining your eligibility for NDIS funding. To apply, you must be between 9 and 65 years old. If you fall outside this age range at the time of application, alternative support options are available:

• Children under 9 years old can access the NDIS through a specialized early childhood approach, which supports both children with disabilities and those experiencing developmental delays.
• Individuals over 65 years old who are not already receiving NDIS funding may qualify for assistance through other government-funded aged care programs.
• If you join the NDIS before turning 65, you can continue to receive support from the scheme as long as it remains suitable for your needs.

To qualify for NDIS, you must meet the disability requirements and have a disability resulting from a permanent or significant impairment. Typically, this means you require specific supports to carry out daily activities and engage in the community.

NDIS eligibility also considers factors such as your level of support needs and whether you require assistance on a temporary or ongoing basis. You may still qualify if receiving support now could help reduce your future reliance on services or empower your family with the skills to assist you later.

If you believe you may be eligible, you can:

• Contact your local NDIS office or partner or call 1800 800 110 to request an NDIS Access Request Form via mail or email.
• Download and complete the form on your computer, then email it with supporting documents to enquiries@ndis.gov.au.
• Download, print, and mail the completed form, along with supporting information, to PO Box 700, Canberra, ACT 2601.
• Call the NDIS on 1800 800 110 for assistance with the application process.

In areas without NDIS partners, we recommend calling 1800 800 110 for application support.