Who can apply
To join the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), a person must be younger than 65 on the day they apply, live in Australia and be an Australian citizen, a permanent resident or hold a Protected Special Category visa.
They also need a disability caused by a permanent impairment that makes everyday things much harder. The full list is in our access checklist.
Dementia is permanent. What the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA), which runs the NDIS, needs to see is how much it affects the person's daily life.
Getting close to 65? Start now. The age rule is about the day the application is made, not the day of diagnosis. Contact the NDIA or your NDIS partner straight away and tell them the person's birthday is coming up.
Before you start
Talk with the person about applying, and involve them as much as they're able. Then gather:
- Proof of identity
- The diagnosis letter or report
- Names and contact details of their doctors and therapists
- Any reports you already have
- A list of the help they need now, day and night
How to apply, step by step
Contact the NDIA or an NDIS partner.
Call the NDIA on 1800 800 110, or find your local NDIS partner, also called a local area coordinator, on the NDIS website.
Book appointments for reports.
Reports from health professionals take time, so book early.
Fill in the access request form.
Your NDIS partner can help, or you can complete it yourselves. A representative can complete parts of it for the person.
Send it in.
Your partner can submit it for you, or you can send it online, by post or in person at an NDIS office.
Wait for the decision.
The NDIA says it will tell you within 90 days of receiving the application and all the supporting evidence.
The evidence that makes the difference
Strong applications usually include several of these:
- A letter from the specialist who made the diagnosis, such as a neurologist or geriatrician
- A functional capacity assessment (FCA) from an occupational therapist, showing what the person can and can't do day to day
- A neuropsychology report, if the person has had testing
- A letter from the GP about their history and how things have changed
- A carer statement describing a typical day and week
The NDIA looks at six areas of daily life: communicating, socialising, learning, moving around, looking after yourself and managing daily life. Ask each health professional to say how the dementia affects each area, with real examples.
Describe the hard days. Many people living with young onset dementia come across well in a short appointment. Reports should describe what really happens at home, every day, not only what a clinician sees in an hour.
After you apply
If the person is eligible, they become an NDIS participant, and their NDIS partner becomes their contact. They're then invited to a plan meeting with an NDIA planner, who talks through their living situation, goals and supports, and explains the plan.
Bring the reports, and a list of the help needed now and what you expect to need soon. You can bring a family member, friend or support coordinator.
Ask whether support coordination will be included. When things are complex, Specialist Support Coordination is the highest level the NDIS funds.
If the answer is no
You'll get a letter explaining why. You can ask the NDIA for an internal review within 3 months of receiving the decision in writing. If you still disagree, you can apply to the Administrative Review Tribunal. You can also apply again later with new evidence.
To talk about the decision, call the NDIA on 1800 800 110.
This guide is general information, current at the date shown above. It isn't legal, financial or medical advice. For decisions about an NDIS plan, contact the NDIA on 1800 800 110.