Victoria Legal Aid

National Disability Insurance Scheme

If you have a disability, the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) may be able to pay for the supports you need.

If you have a disability, the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) may be able to pay for the supports you need. The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) manages the NDIS.

To get help from the NDIS, you must:

  • you must have a disability that is likely to be permanent
  • you must meet the requirements to become a participant in the scheme
  • you need to live in an area where the NDIS is available.

About the NDIS

The NDISExternal Link is a way of providing support for people with disability. It started in July 2013 to help people with disability get the support they need to achieve their goals.

For example, the NDIS might be able to fund the support a person with disability needs to get out into the the community, such as paying for a support worker or assistive technology.

How to apply for the NDIS in Victoria

For information on how to apply for the NDIS and access support, see the NDIS websiteExternal Link . You can also visit the closest NDIA office to youExternal Link or call the help line on 1800 800 110.

If you are unsure about contacting the NDIA yourself, you may be able to get help from an independent advocate. Find out how to get other support for mental health and disability.

Who can get support

You can apply for the NDIS if you:

  • are under 65 years of age at the time of your application
  • have a disability
  • meet certain residence requirements.

To be able to get support, you need to meet the NDIS eligibility requirementsExternal Link . You need to meet either the disability or early intervention requirements to join the NDIS.

Disability requirements

To meet the disability requirements for access, you need to have an impairment or condition that is likely to be permanent (lifelong) and that substantially reduces your ability to do everyday things by yourself and participate effectively in the community without support.

Early intervention requirements

The NDIS has early intervention provisions if supports are needed now to reduce the need for supports in the future.

To meet the early intervention access requirements you need to:

  • have an impairment or condition that is likely to be permanent (lifelong) and receiving supports now may reduce how much support you need in the future, or
  • be a child under six with a developmental delay that means you usually need more support with care, communication, learning or motor skills than another child of the same age.

Supports provided by the NDIS won’t be provided if those supports should be funded through another service system such as health or education.

What type of support you can get from the NDIS

The NDIA manages the NDIS. If your NDIS application is successful, the NDIA will consider what support you need for your disability/disabilities.

This includes:

  • giving you access to community services and activities
  • giving you equipment such as a wheelchair or communications device
  • helping you work out a plan for the support you will need in your daily life
  • providing support for your disability early, so you may need less support later in your life.

If you disagree with a decision

If you are not happy with a decision made by the NDIA, you may be able to ask for a review of this decision. Find out more about asking for a review and where to get other support for NDIS review.

More information

To find out more about how you can get help, go to the NDIS websiteExternal Link .

Read about our advocacy work for a national disability insurance scheme that meets people’s needs.

Read about Your review rights and the NDIS.

Read about how to get other support for mental health and disability

Disclaimer: The material in this print-out relates to the law as it applies in the state of Victoria. It is intended as a general guide only. Readers should not act on the basis of any material in this print-out without getting legal advice about their own particular situations. Victoria Legal Aid disclaims any liability howsoever caused to any person in respect of any action taken in reliance on the contents of the publication.

We help Victorians with their legal problems and represent those who need it most. Find legal answers, chat with us online, or call us. You can speak to us in English or ask for an interpreter. You can also find more legal information at www.legalaid.vic.gov.au

Reviewed 10 May 2022

Site-section Navigation