What Disabilities Qualify for the NDIS?
This is one of the most searched questions about the scheme, but the honest answer surprises a lot of people: there isn't a fixed list of qualifying conditions. Eligibility is assessed based on impairment and functional impact, not diagnosis alone. Here's exactly how it actually works.
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Why There's No Simple List
Official guidance is direct on this point: eligibility is checked based on impairments, not the type of disability or diagnosis. A specific diagnosis alone doesn't guarantee or rule out access, what matters is whether the impairment is permanent and significantly reduces the ability to complete everyday tasks.
This is genuinely good news for many applicants, it means less common or less understood conditions aren't automatically excluded just because they don't appear on a familiar list.
The 6 Types of Impairment Considered
According to official guidance, a permanent impairment may be:
Intellectual
Affecting reasoning, learning, and problem-solving
Cognitive
Affecting memory, concentration, or decision-making
Neurological
Related to the brain, spine, and nervous system
Sensory
Affecting sight, hearing, or other senses
Physical
Affecting movement, strength, or physical function
Psychosocial
Arising from a mental health condition, not the diagnosis itself
Whatever caused the impairment, whether present from birth, an injury, or a health condition, doesn't affect eligibility. What matters is whether it's likely permanent and substantially reduces functional capacity in areas like communicating, socialising, learning, moving around, or looking after oneself.
List A and List B Conditions
To make the process faster for some applicants, official guidelines maintain two reference lists:
- List A: conditions likely to automatically meet the disability requirements. Evidence of the diagnosis is usually enough, a full functional capacity assessment generally isn't required unless specifically requested.
- List B: permanent conditions where functional impact varies from person to person, so further assessment is generally needed to confirm eligibility.
Important: not having a condition on List A doesn't mean ineligibility. Most applicants are assessed individually against the disability or early intervention requirements, based on their own evidence, regardless of whether their condition appears on either list.
What Generally Isn't Covered
A few situations are worth understanding upfront, to set realistic expectations:
- Time-limited conditions: an impairment expected to resolve, such as recovery from an acute injury, generally doesn't meet the disability requirements.
- Chronic health conditions unrelated to disability: ongoing medical treatment or medication for a health condition isn't funded on its own. Disability arising as a result of a health condition, however, may still be assessed on its own merits.
Continue Learning
This guide is part of our full "Understanding the NDIS" series:
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there an official list of qualifying disabilities?
Not a fixed public list. Eligibility is based on the impairment and its functional impact, not a diagnosis alone. Reference "List A" and "List B" exist to help streamline assessment, but they aren't the only path to eligibility.
What if my condition isn't on either list?
It can still be assessed. Most applicants are considered individually against the disability or early intervention requirements based on their own evidence.
Does mental illness qualify?
A mental health condition itself isn't what's assessed, a resulting psychosocial disability may be. This means reduced capacity to carry out daily tasks and activities caused by the condition, not the diagnosis alone.
Do I need a specific diagnosis to apply?
Sharing a diagnosis can make it easier to assess eligibility, but the core requirement is evidence of a permanent impairment that significantly affects daily life.
Are chronic illnesses covered?
Not on their own. Ongoing treatment for a chronic health condition typically isn't funded, but disability that results from a health condition may still be eligible for assessment.