Understanding Impairment Information in the NDIS
From 1 January 2025, people who applied to the NDIS received information about their impairment categories when they first become an NDIS participant.
This information was included in the letter that tells a person they are eligible for the NDIS.
The letter explained whether the person met the NDIS:
- disability requirements;
- early intervention requirements; or
- both disability and early intervention requirements.
It also lists the impairment category or categories that met those requirements.
What if I applied before 1 January 2025?
If you applied before 1 January 2025, you may not have received impairment information. The NDIS says the rules for when and how existing participants receive this information are still being developed.
If you want to know what impairment information the NDIA holds about you, contact your my NDIS contact or call the National Contact Centre on 1800 800 110. You can ask whether there are impairment categories recorded in relation to your access decision.
What are the impairment categories?
The NDIS uses six impairment categories:
- Intellectual
- Cognitive
- Neurological
- Sensory
- Physical
- Impairments relating to psychosocial disability
You may have more than one impairment category. Having more categories does not automatically mean that you will receive more NDIS funding.
For children younger than 6 with developmental delay only, impairment categories do not apply. Their impairment information will list developmental delay instead.
How is an impairment different from a diagnosis?
A diagnosis is the name of a medical condition.
The NDIS considers how a disability affects a person’s everyday life. This is why two people with the same diagnosis may have different impairment categories and need different supports.
Why does impairment information matter?
Impairment information helps explain the impairments that were used to decide that a person met the NDIS disability requirements, early intervention requirements, or both.
NDIS-funded supports must relate to impairments that meet the disability requirements, early intervention requirements, or both.
This does not mean that impairment categories alone decide a person’s plan or funding. The NDIS also works with a participant to create a plan based on their needs, goals and circumstances.
What if I think my impairment information is wrong?
You can ask for a change if there is a mistake in the impairment categories listed in your letter, you have a new impairment that meets the NDIS requirements, or you have new evidence about an impairment.
The NDIA will consider the request and the information you provide. It will explain its decision and send you a letter confirming the outcome. If you do not agree with the decision, you can ask for an internal review.
