Children younger than 7 years: pathway to NDIS support
Here’s how to get NDIS support if your child younger than 7 years has disability or developmental delay. You can also take this pathway if you or a health or other professional have concerns about your child’s development. Children younger than 7 years don’t need a diagnosis to get support through the NDIS early childhood approach.
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 intervention supports
- help with an NDIS access request if your child needs longer-term support.
4. Develop an NDIS plan if your child needs longer-term support
If your child needs longer-term support, your early childhood partner can help you to request NDIS access.
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 early intervention support and service providers
If your child has an NDIS plan, you can choose service providers for your child’s NDIS plan. Your early childhood partner can help you find and use these providers.
Children 7 years and over: pathway to NDIS support
To get NDIS support, your child aged 7 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 be 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 coordination partner (LAC).
2. Meet with the NDIA planner or local area coordination partner
The NDIA planner or LAC will arrange to meet with you to talk about your child’s and family’s needs.
3. Develop an individualised NDIS plan based on your child’s needs
You and NDIA planner or LAC will work together to complete an NDIS plan. This plan will cover the support your child needs. The NDIA planner or LAC will submit the plan to the NDIA for approval.
4. Choose service providers
When your child’s NDIS plan is approved, you can choose service providers for your child’s NDIS plan and start putting the plan into action.