Step-by-Step NDIS Funding Application: A Beginner’s Guide

Starting with the National Disability Insurance Scheme can feel big. Many people begin by searching for how to apply for NDIS funding, but the process often feels overwhelming without clear steps. This NDIS funding application guide breaks the process into clear steps. You’ll learn how to check eligibility, gather the right documentation, complete the forms for your access request, and understand what happens next. This guide explains how to get NDIS funding step by step, so you know exactly what to do from eligibility checks to submitting your access request. 

There are also tips for families applying for a child and for people applying from hospital. 

How Support Point helps overall: we translate NDIS jargon into plain English, map out the evidence you’ll need, organise service quotes, complete forms with you, and keep everything moving until your access request is decided. 

Step 1: Check Your Eligibility 

Before you start any forms, make sure you’re likely to meet the eligibility rules. Before applying for NDIS funding, it’s important to check eligibility so your application has the best chance of success. 

You’ll usually need to confirm: 

• Age: You’re under 65 on the day you apply. 
• Residence: You live in Australia and are an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or hold an eligible visa. 
• Disability Or Early Intervention Needs: You have a permanent or long-term impairment (intellectual, cognitive, neurological, sensory, physical, or psychosocial) that affects everyday activities — or you/your child may benefit from early intervention now to reduce future needs. 

Helpful Supports While You Check: 

• Local Area Coordinators (LACs) help people aged 9+ understand the Scheme, check eligibility, and complete forms. 
• Early Childhood partners support families with children under 9 and can guide whether NDIS is right now or later. 
• These partners can explain what documentation to collect and sit with you to complete your access request. 

How Support Point Helps Here: 

• Do a quick eligibility screen with you (15–20 mins). 
• List the exact documentation you’ll need and who can provide it. 
• Book warm introductions to your LAC/Early Childhood partner if helpful. 
• Create a simple timeline so you know what happens when. 

Step 2: Gather Your Information And Documentation 

Good documentation makes the decision faster and clearer. When applying for NDIS funding, gathering the right reports, ID, and service quotes makes the process smoother and faster. Create a folder (paper or digital) and collect: 

A) Evidence About Disability And Impact

• Recent reports or letters from your GP, specialists, or allied health (OT, physio, speech, psychologist). 
• These should describe your diagnosis (if you have one) and how it affects daily life (mobility, self-care, communication, learning, social interaction, safety). 
• For young children, include reports from paediatricians, early childhood educators, or therapists. 

B) Personal Identification

• Proof of identity, age, and residency (for example, licence, birth certificate, passport, Medicare number). 
• If you receive other government supports, some details may be verified automatically. 

C) Contacts And Representatives

• A trusted person the NDIA can speak with if needed (parent/guardian, nominee, or advocate). 
• If there’s formal guardianship, include those details. 

D) Service Quotes 

• If you need assistive technology (wheelchair, communication device) or home modifications, get service quotes and a brief therapist justification. 
• Quotes help planners see cost and “fit for purpose”. 
• Can’t get a quote right away? Note what’s needed; add the quote soon after. 

Pro tip: Quality beats quantity. Clear, recent reports that explain functional impact are more useful than a pile of old papers. 

How Support Point Helps Here: 

• Chase reports for you (with your consent) and keep them in one secure folder. 
• Brief your clinicians on exactly what the NDIA looks for (function, safety, frequency). 
• Source and compare service quotes for AT/home mods and make sure they match clinical advice. 
• Check everything for gaps before submission. 

Step 3: Submit Your Access Request 

Your application is called an access request. If you’ve ever wondered how to apply for NDIS funding in the simplest way, the access request form, by phone, paper, or with an NDIS partner, is the official pathway. Choose the path that suits you: 

Option A — By Phone 

Call 1800 800 110 and say you want to make an NDIS access request. They’ll ask questions and may complete parts of the form with you over the phone. They can also arrange to send you the forms. 

Option B — Paper Or Digital Forms

• Complete the Access Request Form (ARF). 
• Attach your documentation (reports, ID copies, any service quotes). 
• Submit by email, post, or in person at an NDIA office or partner site. 

Option C — With an NDIS partner 

• Book a time with your LAC or Early Childhood partner. 
• They can go through each question, check documentation, and lodge the forms correctly so nothing is missed. 

Working with a local partner is often the easiest way to get NDIS funding, as they can guide you through each question and ensure nothing is missed. 

No cost to apply. Keep a copy of everything you submit and note the date you sent it. 

How Support Point Helps Here: 

• Fill in the forms with you (plain English), double-check details, and attach the right documentation/service quotes. 
• Prepare a short “cover note” that clearly summarises your functional needs. 
• Lodge your access request the best way for your situation and confirm receipt. 
• Set calendar reminders for follow-ups so you’re never wondering what’s next. 

Step 4: After You Apply — What To Expect 

Acknowledgement 

You’ll get a letter, email, or call saying your access request has been received. 

Requests For More Information

Sometimes an NDIA officer or your local partner will ask for extra documentation or clearer explanation (for example, a recent OT report). If you’re unsure what’s required, Support Point provides clear NDIS info so you can respond quickly and correctly. Reply promptly to keep things moving. 

The Decision 

• Approved: You become an NDIS participant. You’ll be invited to a planning meeting to discuss your goals and the supports you need. 

• Not Approved: You’ll receive a letter explaining why and how to ask for a review if you disagree. Even if you’re not eligible, local partners can point you to other supports. 

Time Frames 

The NDIA aims to decide once they have all required information. If you haven’t heard back after a reasonable period, call to check status (have your name and date of birth ready). 

How Support Point Helps Here: 

• Track your application, answer NDIA questions, and send any extra documentation fast. 
• If approved, prep you for the planning meeting (goals, supports, service quotes if needed). 
• If not approved, explain the letter in simple terms and help you request a review with stronger evidence. 
• Tips for families applying on behalf of a child 

Use The Early Childhood Approach 

• An Early Childhood partner can assess needs, link short-term supports, and help you complete forms for your child’s access request. 

Developmental Delay VS Diagnosis 

• For children under 6, eligibility may be based on developmental delay (no formal diagnosis needed). Make sure your documentation describes how development is affected day to day. 

Parent/Guardian Role 

• You sign and submit on your child’s behalf. Answer daily-life questions from your child’s perspective — what they can’t do without help for their age. 

Interim Supports While Waiting

• Early Childhood partners may connect you with short-term services straight away. Use them — they help now and provide evidence of benefit. 

Prepare For Planning

• Start listing goals (communication, mobility, school readiness, family respite). Having the right NDIS info ensures your child’s goals and documentation are complete and accurate.Clear goals help shape service quotes later for equipment or programs. 

How Support Point Helps Families: 

• Coach you on child-friendly evidence (plain examples of function). 
• Collect day-care/teacher notes if useful. 
• Draft goals that match your child’s needs and family routine. 
• Sit in (if you want) during calls/meetings for confidence and clarity. 

Tips For Applying From Hospital 

Tell The Hospital Team Early

• Let the social worker/discharge planner know you’re applying (or already a participant). They can coordinate with the NDIA. 

Fast-Track Evidence

• Hospital clinicians can provide up-to-date documentation (diagnoses, functional assessments, therapy recommendations). 
• Ask the OT to outline what’s needed to go home safely (equipment, support levels). 

Interim Plan Or Urgent Changes

• If you already have a plan, ask about a quick variation for discharge needs. 
• If you’re new to the Scheme, you may receive an interim plan first, with a fuller plan later. 

Medium Term Accommodation (MTA)

• If home isn’t ready yet, ask about MTA while home mods or equipment are organised. 

Carer Training And Respite

• If family will help at home, request funded training (safe transfers, equipment use). Consider respite to prevent burnout. 

Plan For Follow Ups

• Add transport and support time for post-op or specialist visits. Make sure this appears in your plan and service quotes where relevant. 

How Support Point Helps In Hospital: 

• Arrange a discharge case conference and speak with ward staff on your behalf. 
• Collect the right documentation fast and submit it with your access request. 
• Line up interim supports, equipment hire, and service quotes so you’re safe on day one at home. 

Simple Checklists 

Eligibility Quick check 

• Under 65 at application 
• Live in Australia and meet residency rules 
• Permanent/long-term impairment OR strong early intervention need 

Documentation Pack 

• Recent medical/allied health reports 
• Clear description of daily-life impacts 
• ID documents 
• Service quotes (AT/home mods) if relevant 
• Contact/representative details 

Submission 

• Access request completed (phone or forms) 
• Copies saved and date noted 
• LAC/Early Childhood partner looped in 

What Support Point Will Do 

• Eligibility screen & evidence list 
• Collect documentation and service quotes 
• Complete and lodge forms with you 
• Track status, respond to info requests 
• Prepare you for planning (if approved) or review (if not) 

Final Thoughts 

Applying for the NDIS is a journey, not a race. With clear eligibility checks, solid documentation, accurate forms, and timely service quotes, your access request stands on strong ground. Use local partners, ask questions, and keep copies of everything. Keep this NDIS guide handy as a reference while you gather documents, complete forms, and track your application progress. 

You Don T Have To Do It Alone
Support Point Support Coordination can plan the steps, gather the paperwork, lodge your application, and stay with you right through to your first planning meeting. Support Point Support Coordination walks beside you every step, showing you exactly how to get NDIS funding and turn your plan into real supports. 

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