Mental Health, Psychosocial Disability and the NDIS

This information is general and is not a diagnosis or a substitute for advice from a qualified health professional.

Does the NDIS cover mental health conditions?

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) can provide support to some people with a psychosocial disability. A psychosocial disability is the disability that can arise from a mental health condition when it significantly and permanently affects a person's ability to function in everyday life.

However, not everyone with a mental health condition is eligible for the NDIS. Having a diagnosis alone does not establish NDIS eligibility. The NDIS looks at the functional impact of a person's impairment, not the diagnosis itself.

A diagnosis alone is not enough

This is one of the most important things to understand. A mental health diagnosis is a clinical description of a condition. NDIS eligibility is about how that condition affects a person's ability to function in daily life, and whether that impact is likely to be permanent.

Two people can have the same diagnosis but very different levels of functional impact. One person might manage well with treatment and not experience significant ongoing disability. Another person might experience substantial, long-term difficulties that affect their ability to work, socialise, communicate, learn, look after themselves or manage their life.

It's the second situation, where the functional impact is significant and permanent, that the NDIS is designed to support.

NDIS disability requirements

To be eligible for the NDIS, a person must meet all of the following disability requirements:

• Their disability is caused by one or more impairments, which may include an impairment relating to a psychosocial disability
• Their impairment is, or is likely to be, permanent
• Their impairment substantially reduces their ability to do everyday tasks
• Their impairment affects their ability to work, study or take part in social life
• They'll likely need NDIS supports for their lifetime

The NDIS also has age requirements (you must be under 65 when you apply) and residence requirements (you must live in Australia and be an Australian citizen, permanent resident or hold a Protected Special Category Visa).

What does "permanent" mean?

For the NDIS, "permanent" doesn't mean the condition never changes. The NDIS recognises that the impact of a psychosocial disability can fluctuate. People may experience periods where symptoms are more severe and periods where they function well. What matters is that the impairment is likely to be lifelong, even if its impact goes up and down.

The NDIS usually considers whether an impairment is likely to be permanent after all available and appropriate treatment options have been considered.

Functional capacity

The NDIS looks at whether a person's permanent impairment substantially reduces their functional capacity in one or more of these areas:

• Communicating
• Socialising
• Learning
• Moving around
• Looking after yourself
• Managing your life

Evidence you'll need

To apply for the NDIS, you'll need to provide evidence about your disability and its impact on your life. This typically includes:

• Information from your treating health professionals, such as your GP, psychiatrist or psychologist
• Evidence of your diagnosis and treatment history
• Information about how your condition affects your daily life and functioning
• A functional capacity assessment may be needed

Your local NDIS partner (Local Area Coordinator or Early Childhood partner) can help you understand what evidence you need and support you through the application process.

What if I'm not eligible for the NDIS?

Not being eligible for the NDIS doesn't mean you don't need or deserve support. There are other pathways to mental health support in Australia, including:

• Mental health treatment plans through your GP, with Medicare rebates for psychological therapy
• Community mental health services
• State and territory mental health services
• Peer support and support groups
• Head to Health — the Australian Government's mental health resource portal

If you're not eligible for the NDIS, your NDIS partner can connect you with supports in your community.

How to apply

If you think you may be eligible for the NDIS, you can:

• Contact your local NDIS partner for advice and assistance
• Call the NDIS on 1800 800 110
• Visit the NDIS website to learn about the application process

Reliable Australian resources

• NDIS — Mental Health
• NDIS — Disability Requirements
• NDIS — Eligibility Requirements

Sources

• NDIS — What are the NDIS disability requirements (ndis.gov.au/applying/eligibility-requirements/what-are-ndis-disability-requirements)
• NDIS — Mental health (ndis.gov.au/understanding/ndis-and-other-types-support/mental-health)
• NDIS — What are the NDIS eligibility requirements (ndis.gov.au)
• NDIS legislation — Securing the NDIS for future generations (ndis.gov.au)

Need support? Contact your GP, a mental health professional, or call Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636. If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call Triple Zero (000).