NDIS for Mental Health

Overview

If you’re living with a mental health condition and it’s impacting your daily life, you might be eligible for support through the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). This kind of support is referred to as assistance for ‘psychosocial disability’.

The NDIS provides funding and supports to people across Australia with permanent disabilities, including psychosocial disabilities. The funding provided by the NDIS is designed to enhance your functional abilities and promote social and economic participation.

It’s important to note that while the NDIS can offer valuable support, it doesn’t cover everything – some services are still part of the healthcare system. Additionally, not everyone with a mental health condition will have a psychosocial disability that requires NDIS assistance.

For more information, check out these resources that provide an overview of the support available for psychosocial disabilities through the NDIS:

Video: What is the NDIS? By NDIS Australia.

How NDIS funding can be used

What the NDIS doesn’t Cover

NDIS funding does not cover clinical treatments or clinical supports related to mental health. These remain the responsibility of the health system and include:

Acute, ambulatory and ongoing community care
Medications for mental health conditions
Inpatient treatment or clinical rehabilitation
Treatment for drug or alcohol dependency
Psychological and other therapies that help address, stabilise or manage the symptoms that arise as a result of the psychosocial disability.

What the NDIS covers

The NDIS offers funding for non-clinical supports that can make a positive difference for individuals with psychosocial disabilities. These supports are designed to:

Improve your functional capacity to carry out everyday tasks
Increase your independence
Be more involved in your community
Participate in social, work and study life.

NDIS funding may include:

Core Supports

Assistance with daily activities, home support, community access, employment, and social participation.

Capacity Building

Developing life skills, managing daily routines, and improving financial management.

Behaviour Supports

Specialised support for complex behaviours to improve relationships and quality of life.

Employment Support

Skills development for finding and keeping a job.

Housing Support

Assistance in securing and managing accommodation.

Plan Management

Help with managing NDIS funds, administration and financial reporting

Psychosocial Recovery Coaches

Long-term recovery planning and coordination.

Support Coordination

Short-term help in understanding and using your NDIS plan.

Recent Changes to the NDIS

Since October 2024, the NDIS has implemented several significant changes affecting participants, particularly those with psychosocial disabilities:

Stronger safeguards to prevent funding misuse
Simplified application and review processes
Greater focus on early intervention
Improved clarity around “reasonable and necessary supports”
Better coordination with other government services
Exclusion of certain non-evidence-based therapies and lifestyle expenses

For current information about available supports:

Qualifying for the NDIS

To qualify for the NDIS psychosocial support, you must

Be between 7 and 65 years old
Live in Australia
Hold citizenship, permanent residency, or a special category visa
Have a disability caused by a permanent psychosocial, intellectual, cognitive, neurological, sensory, or physical impairment that requires disability-specific support for daily life activities

Learn more: Am I eligible?

How to apply for the NDIS

If you think you are eligible for the NDIS, you can take one of the following steps:

Contact your local or a local NDIS partner or call 1800 800 110 to request that an NDIS Access Request Form be mailed or emailed to you.
Download and complete the NDIS Access Request Form on your computer and email it to enquiries@ndis.gov.au with supporting information.
Download the NDIS Access Request Form on your computer, print it out, and send it to PO Box 700, Canberra, ACT 2601, with your supporting information.
Call the NDIS on 1800 800 110 for assistance in applying for the NDIS.

Learn more: How to apply

What happens once approved

Once you’re approved, generally here what you can expect:

An NDIS officer will reach out to you to set up an initial meeting.
During the meeting, you will talk about your support needs. Feel free to take a support person and any helpful supporting documents you have..
You have the option to choose how you want to manage your funding, whether it’s self-managed, plan-managed, or NDIA-managed.
An NDIS planner will assesse your information and decide on the supports that will be approved for you.
You’ll receive your official NDIS plan along with an invitation to an implementation meeting.

Choosing NDIS providers and support

After receiving your plan, you can select providers that best suit your needs.

See How to Choose NDIS Providers for Mental Health for guidance.

Your rights under the NDIS

Under NDIS Act and Quality and Safeguards Framework, you have rights:

You have the right to support: You can bring or engage a support person at any stage of the NDIS process – formal or informal.
You have choice and control. You can choose and change providers, select suitable supports, and decide how they are delivered.
Quality and safety: You have the right to receive safe, high-quality supports monitored by the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission.
You have the right to complain: You can provide feedback or file complaints at any stage.

Next Steps

Thinking about applying for NDIS support for mental health? Here are some tips to get you started:

Chat with a local area coordinator, your GP, or a mental health professional who knows about the NDIS. They can really help guide you.
Gather supporting evidence about how your condition impacts your daily life. This will be important for your application.
Take time to prepare your application. Don’t hesitate to ask for support if needed.

Need help with your application?

Reach out to the NDIS on 1800 800 110.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the NDIS cover a temporary mental health condition?

No, to be eligible for the NDIS, your condition must be permanent or likely permanent. However, episodic conditions can qualify if they have a permanent impact.

How is "permanent" defined for psychosocial disabilities?

For NDIS purposes, “permanent” doesn’t mean your condition can never improve.

Instead, it means that your condition is expected to be lifelong with significant functional impacts despite treatment.

The NDIS recognises that psychosocial disabilities can be episodic, with varying levels of impairment over time.

Can I get NDIS funding if I'm already receiving other mental health services?

Yes, the NDIS complements, rather than replaces, other services.

For example, you can receive clinical mental health treatment through the health system while receiving NDIS funding for non-clinical support.

What evidence is most helpful when applying for NDIS with a psychosocial disability?

The strongest NDIS applications include detailed documentation from mental health professionals who are familiar with you.

The supporting documentation details how your condition affects your daily functioning across various areas, such as self-care, mobility, communication, and social interaction.

Records that demonstrate the persistence of your condition over time are also valuable.

What if my application is rejected?

Yes, you can ask for a review of the decision, gather more evidence, or even reapply with other information about how your condition affects your daily life.

Can I change my supports if my needs change?

Yes, if your circumstances change significantly, you can request a review of your plan.

NDIS plans for psychosocial disability typically get reviewed every 12 to 24 months. But if something major happens in your life, you can ask for an earlier review.