Before you apply

Who Can Apply for the NDIS?

To be eligible for the NDIS, you need to meet the age, residence and disability (or early intervention) requirements set by the NDIA:

  • Age: younger than 65 on the day you apply.
  • Residence: an Australian citizen, permanent resident or Protected Special Category visa holder, living in Australia.
  • Disability: a permanent impairment that substantially reduces your ability to do everyday activities and that is likely to need support for life.
  • Early intervention: or a permanent impairment where getting support early will reduce the support you need in future.

Children younger than 6 with developmental delay and children younger than 9 with disability, usually start through the NDIS early childhood approach.

Not sure if you're eligible? Your local NDIS partner can talk it through with you. Call the NDIS on 1800 800 110.

The process

How to Apply for the NDIS

  1. Talk to an NDIS partner. They explain eligibility and the application process.
  2. Gather your evidence. Work with your treating health professionals to show your disability and how it affects your daily life.
  3. Complete an access request. You can do this with your NDIS partner's help or on your own.
  4. Submit it through the NDIS, by mail or in person at an NDIS office.
  5. Wait for a decision. The NDIA says it will tell you if you're eligible within 90 days of receiving your application and all your supporting evidence.

If you're found not eligible, you'll get a letter explaining why and you can ask for a review of the decision.

Evidence

What Evidence Does the NDIS Look For?

Evidence should be recent and come from the treating professionals who know you best. As well as confirming your diagnosis, it needs to show how your disability affects your day-to-day life. The NDIS looks at six areas:

MobilityMoving around the home, transfers, walking and getting out in the community
CommunicationUnderstanding others and being understood
Social interactionBuilding relationships and taking part in social situations
LearningLearning and using new skills
Self-careShowering, dressing, eating and personal care
Self-managementPlanning your day, managing money, health and household tasks

Helpful evidence includes specialist letters and reports, hospital discharge summaries, a GP chronic disease management plan or mental health care plan and allied health reports such as occupational therapy assessments. Statements from family and carers can help too.

Functional capacity assessments

Do I Need a Functional Capacity Assessment?

Not always. The NDIS says you don't have to have a functional capacity assessment (FCA) to be eligible. But when your existing reports explain your diagnosis without clearly showing how it affects daily life, an FCA from an occupational therapist can fill that gap.

An FCA looks at all six areas above. Your OT sees how you manage real tasks at home and in the community, uses standardised assessments and writes a report that sets out your functional impact and the support you need.

Before you book: send us what you already have. If your current reports may be enough, we'll tell you, so you don't pay for an assessment you don't need.

Self-funded OT

Self-Funded FCAs for Your NDIS Application

Because you don't have NDIS funding yet, an FCA for your application is paid privately. Here's how ours works:

TimeUsually 10 to 15 hours in total, including about 5 hours of assessment over 2 to 3 visits
CostContact us for a quote. We quote before we start and if your needs turn out to be more complex, we'll revise it with you first
ReportUsually within 2 weeks of your final visit and no later than 6 weeks
WhereAt your home, anywhere in our Melbourne service area. No waitlist

More about our functional capacity assessments →

While you wait

Support While You Wait for a Decision

You don't have to wait for the NDIS to start exercise. Our exercise physiologist sees private clients, so you can start a program now and session notes can add to your evidence. Ongoing occupational therapy starts once you have NDIS funding.

If you're 65 or older, the NDIS isn't the right path. Support at Home is the program for older Australians and our OTs and EP see Support at Home clients. Support at Home OT →

Eligibility and process information checked against ndis.gov.au in September 2026. NDIS rules change, so confirm details with the NDIS or your NDIS partner.

FAQ

Applying for the NDIS: FAQs

Do I need a functional capacity assessment to apply for the NDIS?
No. The NDIS says an FCA isn't required. It's most useful when your existing reports don't clearly show how your disability affects everyday life.
How long does an NDIS access decision take?
The NDIA says it will tell you if you're eligible within 90 days of receiving your application and all your supporting evidence.
Who pays for an FCA before I'm on the NDIS?
It's self-funded, because you don't have an NDIS plan yet.
How much does a self-funded FCA cost at Exercare?
It depends on how many hours your assessment and report need, so contact us for a quote. We quote before we start and revise it with you if your needs are more complex than expected.
Can I start therapy while I wait for a decision?
You can start exercise physiology privately, with no referral needed. Ongoing OT starts once you have NDIS funding, but we can complete a self-funded FCA for your application now.
What if I'm 65 or older?
You can't apply for the NDIS if you're 65 or older on the day you apply. Older Australians can get support through Support at Home instead, which we also work with.