The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) provides funding and support for people with an eligible disability or impairment. Since the scheme began in 2020, the NDIS has provided support for people to be involved in their community, education, employment and improved independence, health and wellbeing.
However, the NDIS is complex. Many people need help with understanding the eligibility requirements and the process of applying for the NDIS.
The first step in accessing the NDIS is to confirm you meet the eligibility criteria. To find out if you’re eligible for the NDIS, you can check the eligibility requirements here.
The graphic below may also help understand your accessibility. The screen readable version is here.
There is lots of information online about Access and Planning, including participant booklets.
You can also use our NDIS Access Request Toolkit and Support Letter Template:
PWdWA is able to provide advocacy in the following circumstances:
Developing your NDIS plan is really important to ensuring the planner understands the support that you need. The NDIS website has some resources on preparing for your planning meeting and how to manage your funding, including information on how to self-manage and employ your own support workers.
PWdWA doesn’t have the resources to provide ongoing support to access the NDIS or attend planning and review meetings. If you have an upcoming meeting, we strongly encourage you to take a family member, friend or key support worker with you.
PWDWA runs regular workshops to assist people who want to know more about accessing the scheme. You can register for the next NDIS Access workshop here.
The NDIA may make a decision that you don’t agree with and you can request for this decision to be reviewed. You can submit an application for internal review of a decision and you can complete a NDIS review application form here.
PWdWA runs regular online and in person information sessions on how to request a review. You can find out more about these information sessions on our Workshop page.
We also have a Toolkit which you can use to help you prepare for your Internal Review. This Toolkit was developed with other advocacy agencies and Legal Aid WA.
WA Advocates Internal Review Toolkit – contains information about requesting an Internal Review as well as an example application form.
Example Internal Review Application Form – Example application form only and has advice on what to include in each section of the application.
An Advocate can act as a “support person” when someone asks for a review of a NDIA decision or wishes to appeal a decision with the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT).
The role of a support person is to:
Useful resources for people going through an appeal at the AAT;
For more information:
Information about a review at the AAT is available in the Operational Guidelines on the NDIS website.