Filling out your first NDIS Access Request Form can feel overwhelming. You're not alone.

The NDIS Access Request Form is the official application required to join the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). It's a document you complete about your situation and disability, with a section for your treating health professional (like your GP or occupational therapist) to complete. The form collects information to help the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) assess whether you meet the eligibility criteria for NDIS support. You can submit it by email, mail, phone, or in person, and the NDIA aims to make a decision within 21 days.

This guide breaks down every step of completing and submitting your NDIS access request form. We'll walk you through what documents you need, how to fill out each section, and what happens after you submit. We know this process feels high-stakes. You want to get it right the first time.

What is the NDIS Access Request Form?

The NDIS Access Request Form is your first step into the NDIS system. Before planning meetings, before funding decisions, before any talk of Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) or support services, you need to complete this form.

It's not the same as a plan review. If you're already in the NDIS and want to update your plan, you use a different process. This form is specifically for people joining the NDIS for the first time.

The form has two main parts. Part 1 is yours to complete. It asks about your personal details, your disability, and how it affects your daily life. Part 2 is for a treating health professional to complete. They provide clinical information about your disability, its permanency, and its impact on your functional capacity.

The official form is available on the NDIS website. You can download it, complete it digitally, or print it and fill it by hand. There's no cost to apply.

One thing that confuses families: this isn't an application for specific services or housing. You're applying to join the NDIS. Once you're approved, you'll work with a planner to identify what supports you need, which might include Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) later in your journey.

Who Needs to Complete an NDIS Access Request Form?

You need to complete this form if you meet these criteria: you're between 9 and 65 years old (with some exceptions for early intervention under 9), you're an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or hold a Protected Special Category Visa, you live in Australia, and you have a permanent disability that significantly affects your daily life.

The NDIS is for people whose disability is permanent (or likely to be permanent). Your disability must affect your ability to take part in everyday activities. This isn't about diagnosis labels, it's about functional impact. How does your disability affect communication, mobility, self-care, learning, or social interaction?

If you're already in the NDIS and want to change your plan, you don't use this form. You request a plan review through your existing NDIS contact or support coordinator.

Family members can help you complete the form, but the participant needs to sign it (or their guardian if they have one). The form asks about the participant's experience, so their input matters most.

Age exceptions exist for children under 9 if they're accessing early intervention supports. If you're approaching 65, timing matters. Contact the NDIA on 1800 800 110 to discuss your specific situation.

Eligibility decisions are made by the NDIA, not housing providers or support services. Once you're accepted into the NDIS, you can explore whether you're eligible for Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) based on your housing needs and support requirements.

Documents and Information You'll Need

Before you start the form, gather everything you'll need. This takes time. Don't rush it.

Proof of identity: Birth certificate, passport, or driver's licence. The NDIA needs to confirm who you are and that you meet residency requirements.

Proof of residency: This is easier than you think. The form includes a Centrelink consent option. If you tick that box, the NDIA contacts Centrelink directly to verify your residency status. That's the simplest path. If you don't use Centrelink, you'll need to provide residency documents manually.

Medical evidence of your disability: This is where families spend the most time. You need reports, assessments, or diagnoses from health professionals that explain your disability and its impact. Recent reports (within the last two years) work best. If your treating professional completes Part 2 of the form, that may be sufficient. Otherwise, attach existing reports from specialists, occupational therapists, psychologists, or GPs.

Medicare card: Include your Medicare number if you have one (not everyone does, and that's fine).

Contact information for treating health professionals: You'll need their names, practice addresses, and phone numbers. The NDIA may contact them for more information.

What "permanent disability" means: The NDIS defines permanent as lifelong or likely to be lifelong. Conditions that might improve with treatment or time don't meet NDIS criteria. Your health professional helps establish this in their section of the form.

Gathering all these documents is genuinely difficult, especially medical evidence. Give yourself weeks, not days. Some health professionals take time to write reports, and some charge fees for this work (not covered by Medicare). That's frustrating, but it's reality.

How to Complete the NDIS Access Request Form: Section by Section

The form looks intimidating at first. It's not as bad once you break it into pieces.

Completing Your Personal Information (Parts A-D)

Part A: Personal details. Name, date of birth, address, contact information. Straightforward stuff. Use your legal name as it appears on identity documents.

Part B: Guardian information. Only complete this if you have a legal guardian. Most adults won't need this section. If you're unsure whether you have a guardian, you don't. Legal guardianship involves formal appointments through tribunals.

Part C: Contact preferences. How do you want the NDIA to communicate with you? Phone, email, in-person meetings? If you need an interpreter, mention it here. If you use alternative communication methods (like Auslan or communication devices), note that too.

Part D: Residency. This is where the Centrelink consent tick-box appears. If you receive any Centrelink payment (Disability Support Pension, Carer Payment, JobSeeker), tick the consent box. The NDIA verifies your residency directly. Easy. If you don't use Centrelink, you'll need to provide citizenship or visa documents separately.

Describing Your Disability (Part E)

This section can feel confronting. You're asked to describe how your disability affects daily life. Be honest and specific. This isn't the time to downplay your needs.

The NDIA wants to understand functional impact. Don't just list diagnoses. Explain how your disability affects everyday tasks. Can you prepare meals safely? Do you need help with personal care? Can you manage appointments independently? Is communication difficult?

Use specific examples. Instead of "mobility is difficult", write "I use a wheelchair for all movement outside my home and need help transferring in and out of my chair for showering". Instead of "I have social difficulties", write "I find it overwhelming to speak with people I don't know well, and I need support to attend medical appointments or shop for groceries".

You don't need to fill every line. Answer what's relevant to your situation. If certain areas don't apply, that's fine.

Treating Professional Section (Part F)

You don't complete this part. Your treating health professional does. We'll cover that in detail next. Just know that Part F asks your doctor, specialist, or occupational therapist to verify your disability, confirm its permanency, and describe how it affects your function.

One critical detail: if you complete the form digitally, you must sign it LAST. If you edit the form after signing, the digital signature becomes invalid. You'll need to sign again. Save yourself frustration and complete everything first, then sign at the very end.

Getting Your Treating Professional to Complete Section 2

Your treating health professional plays a crucial role. Their section of the form provides clinical evidence the NDIA needs.

Who qualifies as a "treating professional"? Your GP, a medical specialist who treats your disability, an occupational therapist who's assessed you, or a psychologist who's worked with you. They need direct knowledge of your disability and its impact.

What information do they provide? They verify your diagnosis, confirm the disability is permanent (or likely permanent), describe how it affects your function, and provide their professional opinion about your support needs. This section carries weight because it's independent clinical evidence.

Book an appointment early. Health professionals need time to complete the form properly. They're not just ticking boxes, they're writing detailed information. Some practices take weeks to complete these forms, especially if they're busy.

If your professional charges a fee for completing the report, be prepared for that. Medicare doesn't cover NDIS access request reports. Fees typically range from $100 to $300, depending on complexity. We wish this were simpler, but it's the current reality.

Alternative option: if you have recent reports from specialists, occupational therapists, or psychologists, you can submit those instead of asking your professional to complete Part 2. The NDIA may request more information later through a Supporting Evidence Form if they need additional detail.

How to Submit Your NDIS Access Request

You have four submission options. Choose what works best for you.

Email (fastest option): Send your completed form and all supporting documents to NAT@ndis.gov.au. Attach documents as PDFs if possible. You'll receive an automated acknowledgment within a few days confirming they received your application.

Mail: Post your form and documents to NDIS, PO Box 700, Canberra, ACT 2601. Keep copies of everything you send. Mail takes longer than email, so factor that into your timeline.

Phone: Call 1800 800 110 and complete the form over the phone with an NDIS representative. They'll ask you questions and record your responses. This works well if you find written forms difficult or need help understanding what's being asked.

In-person: Visit an NDIS office to complete the form face-to-face. If you're in Melbourne, you can book an appointment at an NDIS office for support completing the form. Call 1800 800 110 to find your nearest office and book ahead.

Whichever method you choose, keep copies of everything. Your completed form, all supporting documents, and any confirmation emails or receipts. You might need to refer back to what you submitted.

How Long Does the NDIS Access Request Take?

The standard timeline is 21 days from when the NDIA receives your complete application. That's the target. Reality is sometimes different.

If the NDIA needs more information, they'll send a Supporting Evidence Form. You have 14 additional days to provide it, extending the timeline to 35 days total.

Many families experience delays. The 21-day timeline doesn't always reflect reality. Delays happen when forms are incomplete, medical evidence isn't detailed enough, or the NDIA needs additional assessments. This doesn't mean your application has problems. It's often just backlog.

From access request to actually having an approved plan takes longer than 21 days. Even if your access request is approved quickly, you still need to attend a planning meeting (scheduled within 2-8 weeks) and wait for your plan to be approved after that meeting (another 2-4 weeks). Total realistic timeline: 3-4 months from access request to receiving your first NDIS plan.

How to follow up: if it's been longer than 21 days and you haven't heard anything, call 1800 800 110 or email NAT@ndis.gov.au. Reference your application by the date you submitted and any reference number you received. They can check the status and tell you if they need additional information.

Processing times can vary. The 21-day timeline is the NDIA's target, but some applications take longer. For more information about the overall NDIS application process, visit the NDIS Applying to Access the NDIS guide.

What Happens After You Submit Your Access Request?

First, you'll receive an acknowledgment. This might be an email or a letter confirming the NDIA received your application. Keep this. It includes reference information you'll need if you follow up.

The NDIA reviews your application. If they need more information, they'll send you a Supporting Evidence Form requesting specific additional documents or reports. Don't panic if this happens. It's common. Just provide what they ask for within the 14-day timeframe.

You'll receive an access decision. Three possible outcomes: approved, not approved, or the NDIA requests more time to make a decision. If you're approved, congratulations. Your planning meeting gets scheduled within the next 2-8 weeks.

If you're not approved, you have the right to request an internal review. The letter explaining the decision will include information about how to request this review. Many families find support coordinators invaluable at this stage for navigating the review process.

Once access is approved, next steps involve the planning conversation. You'll meet with an NDIS planner (or LAC - Local Area Coordinator) to discuss your goals and the supports you need. This is where your NDIS plan gets created.

SDA funding can be requested during your initial planning meeting or at a later plan review. If housing with specialist design features might support your independence, discuss this with your planner. They'll assess whether you meet SDA eligibility criteria. To understand more about how NDIS pays for housing, read our guide on SDA funding.

For families wondering about ongoing plan management after approval, our NDIS plan management guide explains the different options available.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

The most common mistake? Underestimating how much detail the NDIA needs. Generalizations don't help your case. Be specific about how your disability affects daily life.

Incomplete forms: Missing signatures, sections left blank, or forgetting to attach supporting documents. Double-check everything before submitting.

Insufficient medical evidence: A diagnosis letter that says "Jane has cerebral palsy" isn't enough. The NDIA needs to understand functional impact. How does the condition affect daily activities? What support is required? Your treating professional's detailed report matters.

Not keeping copies: If the NDIA can't find your application or documents go missing, you'll need to resubmit. Keep copies of everything.

Giving up after rejection: If your access request is denied, you can request an internal review. Many families succeed on review after providing additional evidence or clarification. Don't assume the first decision is final.

Confusing access requests with plan reviews: They're different processes. Access requests are for joining the NDIS. Plan reviews are for existing participants wanting to adjust their supports.

Editing the digital form after signing: This invalidates your signature. Complete all sections first, save the form, then sign it as your final step.

The waiting is genuinely difficult. You've put effort into this application, and now you wait. That uncertainty is one of the hardest parts. Be patient with yourself and the process.

Looking Ahead: From Access Request to Housing

Completing your NDIS Access Request Form is more than paperwork. It's an emotional process. Give yourself credit for taking this step.

Let's summarize the key steps: gather your identity documents, proof of residency, and medical evidence. Complete Parts A through E of the form with honest, specific detail about how disability affects daily life. Have your treating health professional complete Part F (or submit existing reports). Submit via email, mail, phone, or in-person. Wait for the NDIA's access decision (target 21 days, reality varies). If approved, attend your planning meeting to create your first NDIS plan.

This is the first step toward NDIS support. For some families, that journey eventually includes exploring housing options designed around accessibility and independence.

Once you're approved for the NDIS, you can explore whether SDA housing might support your independence. At Paramount, we focus on helping families find homes close to each other because staying connected matters. Location isn't just about accessibility features. It's about remaining part of your community, near the people who matter most.

If you're planning ahead for housing, our guide on how to find SDA housing in Melbourne explains the search process once you're in the NDIS system.

Got questions about SDA eligibility or our Melbourne properties? Call us on (03) 9999 7418 or email admin@paramounthomes.com.au. We're happy to talk through your situation. No pressure, just honest answers about whether SDA might work for your family.

Remember: Eligibility and funding decisions are made by the NDIA, not housing providers. Speak with your support coordinator for advice specific to your situation. This is general information only and does not constitute individual advice.