Step 1: Learn what we mean by evidence
We need evidence from qualified professionals
All evidence should be completed by a treating health professional relevant to your primary disability. It also needs to be recent.
Evidence to support your eligibility should:
- confirm your primary disability
- confirm the impacts of your disability on the different areas of your life
- describe previous treatments and outcomes
- describe future treatment options and expected outcomes of those treatments
- be original and specific to you.
Tip: Check the types of disability evidence.
Different disabilities and impairments need different evidence from a variety of health practitioners.
Visit types of disability evidence to see a list of evidence against common disabilities.
Step 2: Know who you can gather evidence from
Talk to your treating health professional
Examples of a health professional include a:
- GP
- paediatrician
- orthopaedic surgeon
- occupational therapist (OT)
- speech pathologist or therapist
- neurologist
- psychologist
- psychiatrist
- physiotherapist.
Your treating health professional should:
- be the most appropriate person to give you evidence of your primary disability
- have treated you for at least 6 months
- be registered to practice in Australia or New Zealand.
If you need support gathering your evidence, your my NDIS partner is there to help.
Tip: We may ask for more information if your evidence doesn’t tell us what we need to know.
We generally prefer evidence from a doctor, specialist, allied health or other medical professional to confirm your permanent impairment and how it impacts your functional capacity.
We may ask you to get another report or see another health professional if we need more evidence to help us decide if you’re eligible for the NDIS.
Gathering evidence for a child under 9
Speak with your child’s health or education professional
An early childhood partner can help connect you to the right supports. They can help you gather evidence of your child’s disability or developmental delay.
You need to give us evidence from your child’s treating health professional that shows your child's disability diagnosis. This needs to include information about any treatments your child is receiving.
Your GP, child health nurse, early childhood educator or other health professional can provide evidence of your child’s disability or developmental delay if you live in an area that doesn’t have an early childhood partner.
Step 3: Share your evidence with us
Once you have your information and evidence, you’re ready to complete your application for the NDIS. Your my NDIS partner will help you apply.
We'll decide if you are eligible for the NDIS within 21 days.
We’ll let you know if we need more information from you. We’ll make a decision within 14 days once we have this extra information.