NDIS & Disability Support in Australia (2026)
About this article
Sourced from Commonwealth Acts of Parliament, federal regulations, and official government guidance. State-level information reflects each state's own Acts and court decisions. Written in plain language for general understanding — this is educational content, not legal advice. Our editorial standards
Compare by state
Statute citations are verified per state. Select a state to jump to its full section below.
| Primary statute | |
|---|---|
| New South Wales | Disability Inclusion Act 2014 (NSW) |
| Queensland | National Disability Insurance Scheme Act 2013 (Cth) |
| South Australia | National Disability Insurance Scheme Act 2013 (Cth) |
| Tasmania | National Disability Insurance Scheme Act 2013 (Cth) |
| Victoria | Disability Act 2006 (Vic) |
| Western Australia | National Disability Insurance Scheme Act 2013 (Cth) |
What is this right?
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) provides funding for supports and services to people with a permanent and significant disability. It is established under the National Disability Insurance Scheme Act 2013 and administered by the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA).
To be eligible, you must:
- Be under 65 when you first apply
- Be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or hold a Protected Special Category Visa
- Have a permanent disability that significantly affects your ability to take part in everyday activities
If approved, the NDIA creates a personalised NDIS plan with funding for reasonable and necessary supports. These may include:
- Daily personal care and household help
- Assistive technology and home modifications
- Therapy (physiotherapy, speech, occupational therapy)
- Transport assistance
- Support coordination and plan management
You can choose to self-manage your plan, use a plan manager, or have the NDIA manage your funding. Plans are typically reviewed every 12 months, and you can request a plan review at any time if your circumstances change.
When does it apply?
- You have a permanent and significant disability — including physical, intellectual, sensory, cognitive, or psychosocial disability.
- You are aged 7 to 65 (children under 7 may access early childhood supports).
- Your disability substantially reduces your ability to participate in daily activities without support.
What to Do If Your NDIS Application Is Refused or Your Plan Is Insufficient in Australia
- Contact the NDIA on 1800 800 110 or visit ndis.gov.au to start an access request.
- Gather supporting evidence from your doctors, specialists, and allied health professionals before applying.
- Prepare for your planning meeting by listing your goals, current supports, and what help you need.
- Know your right to choose — you can pick your own providers and decide how your funding is managed.
- If you disagree with a decision, you can request an internal review within 3 months of the decision. If still unsatisfied, you can appeal to the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART) — which replaced the former Administrative Appeals Tribunal on 14 October 2024.
- Use a support coordinator if you need help navigating the system and connecting with providers.
What should you NOT do?
- Don't accept a decision you disagree with — you have the right to an internal review and external appeal.
- Don't let funding go unused — unspent funds do not carry over to the next plan period.
- Don't use NDIS funding for everyday expenses — it can only be spent on disability-related supports that are reasonable and necessary.
- Don't wait until your plan review is due — if your needs change significantly, request an unscheduled review immediately.
About Healthcare Rights in Australia
If you're an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible visa holder, Medicare (under the Health Insurance Act 1973) covers public hospital care and subsidises GP visits. The Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (under the National Health Act 1953) caps what you pay per script. The Australian Charter of Healthcare Rights covers informed consent, access to records, and complaints. The Aged Care Act 2024 rewrote aged-care standards. Mental health sits with the states, but Medicare's Better Access rebates roughly 10 psychology sessions a year.
Worked Examples
ScenarioAn NDIS planner refuses to fund a piece of assistive technology you and your specialist consider essential.
OutcomeYou can request an internal review of the decision by the NDIA — there's a 3-month window from when you receive the decision. If you're still not satisfied with the internal-review outcome, you can apply to the Administrative Review Tribunal (which replaced the AAT in October 2024) for an independent merits review, generally within 28 days of the internal-review decision.
Verified against the NDIS Act 2013 and the Administrative Review Tribunal: internal review (3-month window) then ART. Educational information, not legal advice. Time limits are critical — get help quickly if you need to appeal.
Common Questions
Who is eligible for the NDIS?
Broadly, people under 65 at the time of application who are Australian citizens, permanent residents, or Protected Special Category visa holders, and who have a permanent and significant disability that substantially reduces their functional capacity. There are also early intervention pathways for children with developmental delay.
What does the NDIS pay for?
Supports that are 'reasonable and necessary' to pursue your goals — typically therapies (physio, OT, speech, psychology), assistive technology, capacity building (skills training), supported independent living, and some daily living supports. The NDIS doesn't cover everyday living costs that everyone has.
What if I disagree with an NDIS decision?
Ask for an internal review by the NDIA within 3 months. If you're still unhappy with the internal-review decision, apply to the Administrative Review Tribunal (replaced the AAT in October 2024), generally within 28 days. Free help is available from advocacy services and legal aid.
Does the NDIS work with state disability services?
Yes. The NDIS funds individualised supports, while state and territory governments still fund mainstream services (health, education, transport, justice) and some disability-specific services for those who aren't NDIS participants. Both layers exist together — see your state's section above.
What is the ndis (disability support) right in Australia?
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) provides funding for supports and services to people with a permanent and significant disability. It is established under the National Disability Insurance Scheme Act 2013 and administered by the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA).To be eligible, you must:Be under 65 when you first applyBe an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or hold a Protected Special Category VisaHave a permanent disability that significantly affects your ability to take part in everyday activitiesIf approved, the NDIA creates a personalised NDIS plan with...
When does ndis (disability support) apply?
You have a permanent and significant disability — including physical, intellectual, sensory, cognitive, or psychosocial disability.You are aged 7 to 65 (children under 7 may access early childhood supports).Your disability substantially reduces your ability to participate in daily activities without support.
What should I do if the NDIA rejects my NDIS application or my plan doesn't cover my needs in Australia?
Contact the NDIA on 1800 800 110 or visit ndis.gov.au to start an access request.Gather supporting evidence from your doctors, specialists, and allied health professionals before applying.Prepare for your planning meeting by listing your goals, current supports, and what help you need.Know your right to choose — you can pick your own providers and decide how your funding is managed.If you disagree with a decision, you can request an internal review within 3 months of the decision. If still unsatisfied, you can appeal to the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART) — which replaced the former...
What mistakes should I avoid with ndis (disability support)?
Don't accept a decision you disagree with — you have the right to an internal review and external appeal.Don't let funding go unused — unspent funds do not carry over to the next plan period.Don't use NDIS funding for everyday expenses — it can only be spent on disability-related supports that are reasonable and necessary.Don't wait until your plan review is due — if your needs change significantly, request an unscheduled review immediately.
State-by-state details
New South Wales
Primary statute: Disability Inclusion Act 2014 (NSW)
Full New South Wales guide →Queensland
Primary statute: National Disability Insurance Scheme Act 2013 (Cth)
The NDIS is a federal scheme. Queensland transitioned fully to the NDIS in 2019, replacing the previous state-funded disability services system.
- Queensland's NDIS transition was the largest in the country due to the state's population and geographic spread. The NDIA has offices and partners in Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Townsville, Cairns, and other regional centres.
- Queensland's Department of Seniors, Disability Services and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships works alongside the NDIS to provide advocacy, information, and state-funded services for people with disability who are not eligible for the NDIS.
- The Disability Services Act 2006 (Qld) remains in force for certain state-funded services and safeguards that complement the NDIS, including advocacy and information services.
- Queensland has a Human Rights Act 2019 that protects the right to equality and non-discrimination, including for people with disability. This applies to all Queensland public authorities interacting with people with disability.
South Australia
Primary statute: National Disability Insurance Scheme Act 2013 (Cth)
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) operates in SA under the National Disability Insurance Scheme Act 2013 (Cth). SA fully transitioned to the NDIS, replacing the former state-managed disability services system.
- The NDIA (National Disability Insurance Agency) administers the NDIS in SA. Eligible participants receive a funded plan that covers reasonable and necessary supports related to their disability.
- SA has a large NDIS provider market including major providers such as Novita, Cara, DHS SA (some residual state services), and many smaller specialist and community providers.
- The SA Disability Advocacy and Complaints Service provides free advocacy support for NDIS participants in SA.
- Plan reviews and appeals follow the national NDIS process — internal review by the NDIA, then external review by the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART).
- SA retains some state-funded disability services for people who are not NDIS-eligible, administered through the SA Department of Human Services.
Tasmania
Primary statute: National Disability Insurance Scheme Act 2013 (Cth)
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) operates in Tasmania under the National Disability Insurance Scheme Act 2013 (Cth). Tasmania was one of the early trial sites for the NDIS and has fully transitioned to the scheme.
- The NDIA administers the NDIS in Tasmania. Eligible participants receive a funded plan covering reasonable and necessary supports related to their disability.
- Tasmania's NDIS provider market includes providers such as Li-Ve Tasmania, Mosaic Support Services, Baptcare, and many smaller specialist and community-based providers.
- Advocacy Tasmania provides free, independent advocacy support for NDIS participants in the state.
- Plan reviews and appeals follow the national NDIS process — internal review by the NDIA, then external review by the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART).
- Tasmania retains some state-funded disability services for people who are not NDIS-eligible, administered through the Department of Communities Tasmania.
Victoria
Primary statute: Disability Act 2006 (Vic)
Full Victoria guide →Western Australia
Primary statute: National Disability Insurance Scheme Act 2013 (Cth)
The NDIS is a federal scheme. WA was the last state to fully transition to the NDIS, completing its transition in 2020 after initially operating its own WA NDIS model.
- WA initially operated an alternative WA NDIS model (My Way) from 2014 before transitioning fully to the national NDIS in 2020. Some legacy issues from the transition period continue to affect WA participants.
- The NDIA has offices in Perth, Bunbury, Geraldton, and Broome, as well as outreach services in remote areas. WA's vast geography makes NDIS service delivery challenging in regional and remote communities.
- WA's Department of Communities — Disability Services continues to provide state-funded services for people with disability who are not eligible for the NDIS, including advocacy, information, and some accommodation support.
- The Disability Services Act 1993 (WA) remains in force for certain state-funded disability services and safeguards.
- WA has a strong disability advocacy sector including the Disability Rights WA, People With Disabilities WA, and Advocacy WA.
NDIS (Disability Support) in other states
Same topic, different jurisdiction. Pick the one that applies to you.