Am I Eligible for the NDIS? A Guide for Queenslanders

To access the NDIS you need to meet three broad requirements: age, residency and disability. If you tick all three boxes, you can apply. If you are unsure about any of them, keep reading, because the details matter and some are more flexible than they first appear.

It is worth saying upfront that eligibility is decided by the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA), not by providers like us. No provider can promise you access. What we can do is help you understand the process so you go in prepared.

You must be under 65 on the day you apply. If you are approved before turning 65, you can choose to stay with the NDIS after that birthday. If you are already 65 or older when you apply, the aged care system is the pathway instead.

On residency, you need to live in Australia and be an Australian citizen, a permanent visa holder, or a Protected Special Category Visa holder. Living anywhere in Queensland is fine, from inner Brisbane to regional and remote towns. The NDIS operates right across the state.

This is the part most people worry about. The NDIS asks whether your disability is permanent, meaning it is likely to be lifelong, and significant, meaning it substantially reduces your ability to take part in everyday activities. That can include physical, intellectual, cognitive, sensory or psychosocial disability.

Importantly, the NDIA looks at the functional impact of your condition, not just its name. Two people with the same diagnosis can have very different daily experiences, so the question is always what you can and cannot do without support. If your disability means you usually need support from a person or equipment to manage daily life, you may well meet this requirement.

There is a second doorway into the NDIS called early intervention. It is for people whose condition is likely to be lifelong, where getting support now would reduce how much help they need in the future. It is a recognition that the right support early can change the whole trajectory.

Young children are a big part of this pathway. Children younger than nine can be supported through the NDIS early childhood approach, which can include support for developmental delay even before a formal diagnosis. If you are a parent with concerns, you do not have to wait for a label to seek help.

Good evidence is the backbone of a strong application. The NDIA wants recent reports from health professionals who know you, such as your GP, specialists, psychologists, occupational therapists or physiotherapists. The best reports confirm your diagnosis, state that the condition is likely to be permanent, and describe in concrete terms how it affects your daily life.

Focus on function, not just labels. A report that says you need help to shower, prepare meals, manage medications or leave the house safely tells the NDIA far more than a diagnosis alone. If a report describes you on your best day rather than a typical day, ask the professional to revise it so it reflects real life.

Applying is called making an access request. You can do it by calling the NDIA on 1800 800 110, or by completing an access request form with help from your GP or a local NDIS office. You will provide your personal details, confirm your age and residency, and submit your evidence.

The NDIA will then assess your request and let you know the outcome. If they need more information, they will ask for it, so respond as quickly as you can. Local Area Coordinators across Queensland can also help you through the process at no cost.

A no is not always the end of the road. You can ask the NDIA for an internal review of the decision, and you generally have three months from the decision to request one. Many people succeed on review by adding stronger functional evidence, so it is worth getting fresh reports that spell out your daily support needs before you resubmit.

Once you are approved, you will work with the NDIA to build your first plan, and that is where a provider comes in. First Priority Care is a registered, nurse-led NDIS provider (registration 4-J8DTEN1) supporting participants across Brisbane, Logan, Ipswich, the Gold Coast, Redlands and regional Queensland. When your plan is ready, call 1800 402 205 or submit a referral online. We respond within one business hour.