Transitioning to the NDIS

If you currently get disability support services, the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) will contact you as the NDIS becomes available in your area.

Defined programs

If you are a Commonwealth, state or territory defined programs client, generally you will satisfy disability requirements without further evidence.

Your state or territory government will give us your contact details, then an NDIA representative will contact you to complete all the details you need to start your NDIS transition.

This may involve:

• checking your identity or the identity of your representative
• obtaining consent from you, or someone who has legal authority to act on your behalf, to become an NDIS participant
• asking you to confirm some personal information including your name, age, where you live and whether you have permission to live in Australia permanently
• obtaining your consent for the information to be verified through your Centrelink record
• obtaining your consent to contact your health professionals, service providers and schools (where relevant), to collect information about you to help determine your eligibility. This information may also be used to help develop or implement your NDIS Plan if you become a participant.

The NDIA may also send you a letter requesting evidence of your disability. Find information on providing evidence and the treating health professionals that are best placed to provide assessments that are considered 'best practice' on the Types of disability evidence page.

If you haven't received support before

If you are not currently receiving any disability supports and the NDIS is available in your area, but wish to join the scheme, you will need to contact us to complete your access request.

If you think you are eligible for the NDIS, you can: 

• contact your local NDIS Office or local NDIS partner and ask them to support you to connect with local disability supports or apply to the NDIS if eligible. 
• phone the NDIS on 1800 800 110 to be supported to apply to the NDIS.

In some areas, we don’t have early childhood partners or local area coordination partners who can help you apply.  

If you do not have access to a partner in your area, we recommend you contact the National Contact Centre on 1800 800 110 to be supported to apply to the NDIS.  

If you do not have access to a partner, you can also download and complete the NDIS Access Request Form and email it to [email protected] with supporting information. 

Find out more about applying to access the NDIS.