When applying for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), you need to provide evidence that helps the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) understand your disability, whether your impairment is permanent or likely to be permanent, and how it affects your everyday life.
But what reports do you need? Who can write them? And how old can they be? This guide explains the evidence requirements, with a disability-specific list so you can jump straight to the information relevant to you.
In this guide
- Why the NDIS needs disability evidence
- What types of evidence can you provide?
- Who can provide NDIS evidence?
- How recent do NDIS reports need to be?
- Evidence and assessments by disability
- NDIS evidence checklist
- Frequently asked questions
- What happens next?
Why does the NDIS need evidence of your disability?
The NDIA uses evidence to decide whether you meet the disability or early intervention access requirements. For the disability access pathway, the NDIA needs to understand whether:
- Your disability is attributable to an intellectual, cognitive, neurological, sensory or physical impairment, or an impairment attributable to a psychiatric condition.
- Your impairment is permanent or likely to be permanent.
- Your impairment substantially reduces your functional capacity in at least one relevant area of everyday life.
- Your impairment affects your capacity for social or economic participation.
- You are likely to require NDIS supports for your lifetime.
The six functional capacity areas considered are communication, social interaction, learning, mobility, self-care and self-management. Evidence should describe the practical impact of your impairment, not just name a diagnosis.
Some applicants qualify under the early intervention pathway, which has different requirements. You can read more in Plan Hero’s guide to applying for the NDIS.
What types of evidence can you provide to the NDIS?
NDIS evidence does not always need to be a new, lengthy medical report. Depending on your circumstances, evidence from treating professionals may include:
- A completed NDIS Access Request Form, including the section completed by your treating professional.
- An NDIS Supporting Evidence Form.
- An Evidence of Psychosocial Disability Form, where relevant.
- Existing diagnostic reports, medical letters or specialist assessments.
- Occupational therapy, physiotherapy, speech pathology or other functional assessments.
- A letter or email from an appropriately qualified treating health professional.
Additional information from carers, family members, schools or support providers can help explain everyday support needs. This can complement, but may not replace, the clinical evidence needed to establish access.
See the NDIA’s official examples of disability evidence for more information and links to the relevant forms.
Who can provide evidence of your disability?
The most appropriate professional depends on your primary disability and the evidence required. This may be your GP, paediatrician, neurologist, psychiatrist, psychologist, occupational therapist, physiotherapist, speech pathologist, audiologist or another relevant specialist.
The NDIA generally places greater weight on evidence from a professional who is appropriately qualified, knows your circumstances and has treated you for a significant period. Different professionals may provide different parts of your evidence: for example, a specialist may confirm a permanent impairment while an occupational therapist explains its impact on daily activities.
Before arranging a new appointment or assessment, ask your treating professional or NDIS partner whether your existing evidence is sufficient.
How recent do NDIS reports and assessments need to be?
Not all NDIS evidence needs to be less than 12 months old. The NDIA distinguishes between evidence confirming a permanent impairment and evidence describing your current functional capacity.
| Type of evidence | How recent should it be? |
|---|---|
| Evidence confirming a permanent impairment | May be from any age, provided it adequately establishes the impairment and its permanence. |
| Evidence of functional capacity | Generally from the last 12 months, because everyday abilities and support needs may change. |
| Evidence supporting early intervention needs | Generally from the last 12 months. |
Can I use an older medical report?
Yes. For example, an older specialist report may still establish a permanent impairment. You may, however, need more recent evidence showing how the impairment currently affects your daily life.
The 12-month period is general NDIA guidance, not an automatic expiry date. Older functional assessments may be given less weight, and the NDIA may ask for updated information if they do not describe your current circumstances.
Do I need to pay for a new assessment?
Not necessarily. Start by reviewing the reports you already have. If information is missing, your existing treating professional may be able to provide a letter or an update rather than repeating a full assessment. Ask what information is needed before paying for additional reports.
Source: NDIA guidance on applying to the NDIS and weighing evidence.
What evidence does the NDIS recommend for different disabilities?
The NDIA publishes examples of preferred assessment tools for different primary disabilities. Select a disability below to jump directly to its guidance. These are examples of preferred evidence, not a requirement to complete every listed assessment. Your treating professional can help determine what is appropriate for your age and circumstances.
Find your disability
- Acquired brain injury (ABI)
- Autism
- Cerebral palsy
- Hearing impairment
- Intellectual disability, developmental delay and Down syndrome
- Multiple sclerosis (MS)
- Psychosocial disability
- Spinal cord injury
- Stroke
- Vision impairment
- Other disabilities
The following tools reflect the NDIA’s published guidance as at October 2026. Where the NDIA specifies a preference order, the examples are presented in that order.
Acquired brain injury (ABI)
Who can provide evidence? Treating health professionals with experience in acquired brain injury.
Preferred assessments:
- Care and Needs Scale (CANS), for people aged 17 and over.
- World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule (WHODAS) 2.0, for people aged 17 and over.
- Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory Computer Adaptive Test (PEDI-CAT), for children aged 16 and under.
Autism
Who can provide evidence? Relevant members of a multidisciplinary team, such as a paediatrician, psychologist, psychiatrist, occupational therapist or speech pathologist.
Preferred evidence and assessments:
- Diagnostic assessment using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5).
- Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales (Vineland-III).
- WHODAS 2.0, for people aged 17 and over.
- PEDI-CAT, for children aged 16 and under.
Read Plan Hero’s guide to applying for the NDIS with Autism Level 2 or 3.
Cerebral palsy
Who can provide evidence? An occupational therapist, physiotherapist, paediatrician or another relevant member of the treating team.
Preferred assessments:
- Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS).
- Manual Ability Classification System (MACS).
- Communication Function Classification System (CFCS).
Hearing impairment
Who can provide evidence? Primarily an audiologist.
Preferred evidence:
- NDIA hearing impairment responses and groupings guidance, for people aged 17 and over.
- PEDI-CAT, for children aged 16 and under.
- Hearing acuity scores.
Intellectual disability, developmental delay, global developmental delay and Down syndrome
Who can provide evidence? A paediatrician, psychologist, occupational therapist, speech pathologist or another relevant multidisciplinary team member.
Preferred evidence and assessments:
- DSM-5 diagnostic assessment, where relevant.
- Vineland-III.
- WHODAS 2.0 for people aged 17 and over, or PEDI-CAT for children aged 16 and under.
Multiple sclerosis (MS)
Who can provide evidence? Primarily a neurologist or a nurse examiner trained in disease steps assessment.
Preferred assessments:
- Disease Steps (DS).
- Patient-Determined Disease Steps (PDDS).
- Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS).
Psychosocial disability
Who can provide evidence? A psychiatrist, psychologist, GP, paediatrician or relevant mental health professional. Specialist mental health nurses, occupational therapists, social workers and other appropriately trained professionals may also contribute.
The NDIA’s published guidance calls for a statement from a treating professional explaining:
- How long they have worked with you.
- Your mental health condition and any available diagnosis.
- Treatments explored and any not pursued, including the reasons.
- How the condition affects your everyday life.
Functional capacity assessment: The NDIA also asks for a functional capacity assessment. Examples include the Life Skills Profile 16 (LSP-16), Health of the Nation Outcome Scales (HoNOS) and WHODAS.
Spinal cord injury
Who can provide evidence? Relevant members of the treating team, including a neurologist, physiotherapist, occupational therapist or other specialist.
Preferred evidence and assessments:
- Level of spinal cord lesion.
- American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) Impairment Scale (AIS).
- WHODAS 2.0, for people aged 17 and over.
- PEDI-CAT, for children aged 16 and under.
Stroke
Who can provide evidence? Primarily a neurologist.
Recommended assessment: Modified Rankin Scale (mRS), alongside relevant clinical information about ongoing impairment and functional impact.
Vision impairment
Who can provide evidence? Primarily an ophthalmologist.
Preferred evidence and assessments:
- Impact of Vision Impairment (IVI) questionnaire, for people aged 17 and over.
- PEDI-CAT, for children aged 16 and under.
- Visual acuity ratings.
Other disabilities
Who can provide evidence? Depending on the impairment, a GP, paediatrician, occupational therapist, physiotherapist, speech pathologist, social worker or other relevant professional.
Preferred functional assessments:
- WHODAS 2.0, for people aged 17 and over.
- PEDI-CAT, for children aged 16 and under.
For the full official list, see the NDIA’s disability-specific evidence guidance or its printable PDF version.
NDIS disability evidence checklist
Before submitting an application, check that your evidence addresses the relevant access requirements:
- Does a qualified professional identify your disability and impairment?
- Is there evidence that the impairment is permanent or likely to be permanent, where required?
- Does the evidence explain how the impairment affects everyday activities?
- Are functional assessments recent enough to describe your current circumstances?
- Are the type and frequency of assistance you need explained clearly?
- Have you included the relevant application forms and professional reports?
- Have you checked whether existing reports are sufficient before paying for new ones?
- Have you kept copies of everything submitted?
Focus on the quality and relevance of the information, rather than submitting as many documents as possible. A concise, clear report that answers the NDIA’s questions can be more useful than multiple reports that do not address the access criteria.
Frequently asked questions about NDIS evidence
Do NDIS reports expire after 12 months?
No. There is no universal 12-month expiry rule. Evidence of a permanent impairment may be from any age, while evidence of functional capacity and early intervention needs should generally be from the last 12 months.
Can I use a diagnosis from several years ago?
Yes, if it adequately establishes your permanent impairment. You may also need updated evidence of your current functional capacity.
Do I need a functional capacity assessment to apply for the NDIS?
Not everyone needs a separate formal assessment. The evidence required depends on your impairment and access pathway. The NDIA’s published guidance specifically identifies a functional capacity assessment for psychosocial disability.
Does my GP need to complete all the evidence?
No. Different health professionals can provide different evidence, depending on their expertise and your primary disability.
Do I need every assessment listed for my disability?
No. The NDIA publishes preferred tools to guide evidence gathering. You do not automatically need to complete every tool listed for your condition.
Can a carer statement help my application?
Yes. A carer statement can explain the practical impact of your disability and the support you need. It is supplementary information and may not replace the professional evidence required to establish eligibility.
What if the NDIA asks for more evidence?
Ask which access requirement needs clarification and what information is missing. Your treating professional may be able to provide a targeted update or additional letter. Keep a record of requests and response dates.
What happens after you gather your NDIS evidence?
Once your evidence is ready, the next step is to complete and submit your access request. Plan Hero has a step-by-step NDIS application guide to help you understand the process.
If your application is approved, you will move into the planning process. Evidence used to establish eligibility may also help explain your support needs, but evidence for specific funded supports can be different. See what evidence to prepare for your NDIS planning meeting.
How Plan Hero can help
Once you have an NDIS plan, choosing a plan manager can make managing your funding simpler. Plan Hero is an independent NDIS plan management provider that helps participants and families with provider invoice processing, payments and tracking their plan budgets.
Learn more about Plan Hero’s NDIS plan management services.
Official NDIS sources
- NDIS: What are examples of disability evidence?
- NDIS: Disability evidence guide (PDF)
- NDIA: Applying to the NDIS, including evidence recency guidance (PDF)
Information reviewed October 2026. NDIS guidance may change as legislative reforms are implemented. Always check current NDIA requirements before applying.
