When your child’s NDIS application is unsuccessful: what to do

What happens when you do an NDIS application for your child

When you do an NDIS application for your child, you’ll get a reply within 21 days. This might be:

a letter telling you whether your child is eligible for the NDIS
a letter or phone call asking for more information about your application.

Why your child’s NDIS application might be unsuccessful

If your child’s application is unsuccessful, it might be for one or more of the following reasons.

Not eligible

Your child’s disability isn’t permanent or likely to be permanent.
Your child’s disability doesn’t significantly affect their ability to do everyday things like dressing themselves, talking or walking.
Your child doesn’t meet the NDIS criteria for developmental delay.
Your child doesn’t meet NDIS residency requirements.

Not enough evidence

You haven’t provided enough evidence that your child’s condition has a significant effect on everyday life.

Not appropriate

The supports that your child needs are best funded through mainstream or community services.

An NDIS representative will talk with you about whether your child is eligible for the NDIS. You can find out more about this process in our guide to getting NDIS support for your child.

What to do if your child’s NDIS application is unsuccessful

If your child’s NDIS application is unsuccessful and you want to keep trying to apply for your child, you have 2 options:

Ask for an internal review of the decision about your child’s eligibility.
Do another NDIS application for your child.

If your child’s NDIS application is unsuccessful, your child might be able to get other supports that aren’t funded by the NDIS. An NDIS representative can give you information about these supports and help you find and use them.

Requesting an internal review of an unsuccessful NDIS application

If you disagree with the NDIA’s decision that your child isn’t eligible for the NDIS, you can request an internal review of the decision. You must ask for an internal review within 3 months of the NDIA’s decision.

Doing another NDIS application for your child

If it’s been more than 3 months since your last NDIS application for your child, you can do another application. You might do another NDIS application for your child in the following circumstances:

You have new evidence about the effects of your child’s disability or developmental delay on everyday life.
Your child’s circumstances change – for example, your child gets a new diagnosis, their condition changes, or a new therapist has evidence about the effects of your child’s disability.

If you want to make another application, contact your NDIS representative.

If you’ve requested an internal review of your child’s unsuccessful NDIS application, you can’t do another application while you’re waiting for a decision. For more information go to NDIS – Applying to the NDIS.