This page is under review because the NDIS is making changes. After 3 October 2024, there will be a clear list of what you can spend your child’s NDIS funds on. And your child’s NDIS plan will have a total budget amount, which shows you how much money there is and how long it needs to last. For more information about these and other changes, go to NDIS – Changes to NDIS legislation.
Children younger than 9 years: pathway to NDIS support
The pathway to NDIS support for children younger than 9 years is through the NDIS early childhood approach.
Within the NDIS early childhood approach, there are different criteria for getting support, depending on whether children are younger than 6 years or aged 6-8 years. The NDIA can tell you about these criteria.
1. Talk to a health professional or the NDIA
You could start by talking to your GP or child and family health nurse or another health professional. They can put you in touch with an NDIS representative called an early childhood partner.
Or you can call the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) on 1800 800 110. The NDIA can give you contact details for local early childhood partners, or they might organise for one to call you.
2. Meet with your early childhood partner
Your early childhood partner will meet with you to talk about and assess your child’s and family’s needs and your child's goals.
3. Decide on your child’s support needs
You and the early childhood partner will work together to decide on the support that your child and family need. This support might include:
- information about mainstream supports for your child
- help to find and use supports in your area, like community health services
- early childhood intervention
- help with applying to the NDIS if your child needs longer-term support.
4. Develop an NDIS plan if your child needs longer-term support
If your child becomes an NDIS participant, your early childhood partner will work with your family to develop an NDIS plan that supports your child’s goals.
5. Choose your NDIS service providers
If your child has an NDIS plan, you can choose providers for your child’s NDIS plan. Your early childhood partner can help you find and use these providers.
Children 9 years and over: pathway to NDIS support
To get NDIS support, your child aged 9 years and over must have a significant disability that affects their ability to take part in everyday activities. The disability must also be permanent or likely to be permanent.
1. Contact the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA)
The NDIA runs the NDIS. You can call the NDIA on 1800 800 110, or you might be referred to the NDIA by your GP or paediatrician. The NDIA can give you contact details for an NDIS representative, or they might organise for this representative to call you. The NDIS representative might be an NDIA planner or a local area coordinator.
2. Meet with the NDIA planner or local area coordinator
The NDIA planner or local area coordinator will arrange to meet with you to talk about your child’s and family’s needs.
3. Develop an NDIS plan based on your child’s needs
If your child becomes an NDIS participant, you and the NDIA planner or local area coordinator will work together to develop an NDIS plan. This plan will cover the support your child needs. The NDIA planner or local area coordinator will submit the plan to the NDIA for approval.
4. Choose service providers
When your child’s NDIS plan is approved, you can choose providers for your child’s NDIS plan and start putting the plan into action. Your NDIA planner or local area coordinator can help you with this.