When you disagree with a decision about an NDIS application or NDIS plan
The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) makes decisions about NDIS applications and NDIS plans.
If you disagree with a decision the NDIA has made, here’s what to do.
First, speak with your early childhood partner, local area coordinator or support coordinator or contact the NDIS. These NDIS representatives can explain the decision and the reasons it was made.
Next, if you still disagree with the decision, you can ask for an internal review. The NDIA can review decisions about things like:
Go to NDIS – Reviewing our decisions to see a full list of decisions the NDIS can review.
If your child’s NDIS application is unsuccessful, there are other services and supports outside the NDIS. A local area coordinator or an early childhood partner can give you information about these and help you find and use them.
How to ask for an internal NDIS application review or NDIS plan review
You must ask for an internal review within 3 months of getting the NDIA decision on your child’s NDIS application or your child’s NDIS plan.
It’s a good idea to talk with your NDIS representative if you have one. These people can help you with the internal review process.
There are several ways to ask for an internal review:
- Download and fill out a Request for a review of a decision form.
- Call the NDIA on 1800 800 110 and speak to an NDIA representative.
- Go to an NDIS or partner office and speak to an NDIA representative.
- Send an email to enquiries@ndis.gov.au.
- Write to:
Chief Executive Officer
National Disability Insurance Agency
GPO Box 700
Canberra ACT 2601
Here’s what to do in your request for an internal review of a decision:
- Explain why you disagree with the decision.
- Say what decision you were expecting.
- Give the NDIA new evidence of your child’s needs and situation, or highlight evidence you’ve already provided.
Evidence and other information for an internal review
Evidence might include letters or reports from your child’s GP, occupational therapist, speech pathologist, physiotherapist, psychologist or other health or disability professionals. It can also include letters from support workers, therapy assistants, social workers or your child’s teachers at early childhood education, preschool or school.
You can also include a carer’s statement outlining how your child’s disability or developmental delay affects your child and family, why you need the support, and how it will be implemented.
If you have an NDIS representative, they can guide you through the internal review process and explain the evidence you need to collect.
An advocate might be able to help you with the review process. To find an advocate, you can use the Ask Izzy – Disability Advocacy Finder or contact your local community centre, local council, neighbourhood house or disability service. Or your local area coordinator or early childhood partner can help you find advocacy services.
What happens after you ask for an internal NDIS application review or NDIS plan review
An NDIA representative might contact you to talk about why you’ve asked for an NDIS application review or NDIS plan review. This person won’t have been involved in the decision.
The NDIA aims to make decisions within 60 days of receiving review requests. The NDIA will send you a letter to let you know the outcome of the review and why the decision was made. You can follow up the progress of your review with your NDIS representative.
If you disagree or are unhappy with the outcome of the internal review, you can apply for an external review by the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART).
How to ask for an external review by the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART)
You usually have to wait until the NDIA has completed its internal review before you can ask for an Administrative Review Tribunal (ART) review.
After you get the NDIA’s decision, you have 28 days to ask for an ART review. If the NDIA hasn’t completed its review within 90 days, the ART might be able to review the decision without waiting for the NDIA.
You can ask for an ART review by submitting an online application. The ART prefers online applications.
If you can’t apply online, you can fill out an application form and send it to the ART by:
- email: reviews@art.gov.au
- post:
Administrative Review Tribunal
GPO Box 9955
Your capital city (Northern Territory residents should write to Adelaide)
Or you can contact the ART by:
- writing to the email or postal addresses above
- calling to ask for a review on 1800 228 333.
Your application must include a copy of the NDIA decision or a description of the decision. You can also include new information to support your appeal – for example, letters and reports.
You’ll get a letter telling you what will happen next.
For more information, go to Administrative Review Tribunal – After you apply.