What the residence requirements are
You need to meet the residence requirements to become an NDIS participant.
This means you must be one of the following:
- an Australian citizen
- a permanent resident
- a Protected Special Category visa holder.
You must also live in Australia and spend most of your time here.
What the residence requirements are for
The residence requirements are the same for everyone who applies. They are legal requirements that come from our NDIS laws.
We make decisions about who can be an NDIS participant based on these requirements and the evidence you give us to show that you meet them.
We may ask for more information about your situation to help us decide.
We'll look at your whole situation to decide if there’s enough evidence to show us that you meet the residence requirements.
What the residence requirements are like
Usually, we can decide if you meet the residence requirements based on the information on your Centrelink record, if you give us consent to use this.
You’ll need to give us documentary evidence you are either an Australian citizen, a permanent resident, or a Protected Special Category visa holder, if you don't consent.
We'll ask you:
- Where do you live most of the time?
- Where does your family live?
- Do you work in Australia?
- Do you own property in Australia?
- How much time do you spend overseas?
When you are overseas for less than 6 weeks
You can travel overseas and use your NDIS supports for up to 6 weeks if you become an NDIS participant. We call this a grace period.
When you are overseas for more than 6 weeks
You can’t use your NDIS funding if you are overseas for more than 6 weeks unless we give you more time.
If you're travelling outside of Australia for more than 6 weeks and need to use your NDIS funding, you need to contact us and let us know:
- how long you’ll be overseas
- why you’re going overseas
- what NDIS supports you need while overseas
- why you need NDIS funding for these supports while overseas.
We'll consider the information you give us and let you know if we’ll extend the 6-week grace period.
Learn more about your responsibilities and how to do the right thing.