If you or someone you care for has a permanent disability, the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) may be able to fund the support you need — from personal care and nursing to transport, community access and home help. But knowing where to start can feel overwhelming.
This guide walks you through exactly how to apply for the NDIS in NSW, step by step — with practical tips specific to participants in Western Sydney, including the Blacktown and Hills District areas.
What is the NDIS?
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is an Australian Government program that funds support and services for people with permanent and significant disabilities. Rather than a one-size-fits-all system, the NDIS gives participants an individual plan and budget to spend on the supports that help them live more independently and achieve their goals.
Supports funded by the NDIS can include:
Personal care — help with bathing, dressing, grooming and daily hygiene
Domestic assistance — cleaning, cooking, laundry and household tasks
Nursing and complex care — medication management, wound care and health monitoring
Community participation — support to attend events, join social groups and build connections
Transport — accessible vehicles to get to appointments and activities
Short term accommodation — respite stays for participants and a break for carers
Am I Eligible for the NDIS?
Before you apply, you need to meet the NDIS access criteria. There are three main requirements:
1. Age
You must be under 65 years of age when you first apply. If you are 65 or older, you may be able to access support through the My Aged Care system instead.
2. Residency
You must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or holder of a Protected Special Category Visa, and you must be currently living in Australia.
3. Disability
You must have a permanent disability that significantly affects your ability to take part in everyday activities. This includes physical, intellectual, cognitive, neurological, sensory and psychosocial disabilities. The disability does not need to be the same every day — conditions that are episodic or fluctuating can still qualify.
If you are unsure whether your condition qualifies, speak with your GP or a Local Area Coordinator (LAC) in your area. You do not need a formal diagnosis to start the process — the NDIA will review all available evidence.
How to Apply for the NDIS in NSW: Step by Step
Step 1: Check your eligibility
Start by completing the NDIS eligibility checklist, available at ndis.gov.au. This takes around five minutes and will give you a clear indication of whether you are likely to qualify before you invest time in a full application.
Step 2: Connect with your Local Area Coordinator (LAC)
In Western Sydney and the Blacktown area, Local Area Coordinators are community-based partners funded by the NDIA. They can help you understand the NDIS, assist with your application and support you to navigate the process — at no cost to you.
You can find your local LAC by calling the NDIS on 1800 800 110 or searching the NDIS website using your postcode. For participants in the Blacktown LGA and Hills District, Northcott is the key NDIS partner organisation delivering LAC services.
Step 3: Gather your supporting evidence
This is the most important step — and the one most people underestimate. Strong supporting evidence significantly increases the likelihood of your application being approved and your plan being adequately funded.
You will need:
A letter from your GP or specialist describing your diagnosis, how long it is likely to last, and how it affects your daily life
Reports from allied health professionals — physiotherapists, occupational therapists, psychologists, speech pathologists — who can describe the functional impact of your disability
Evidence that your disability is permanent — this does not necessarily mean unchanging, but it does mean it is likely to be lifelong
Tip: Ask your doctor to specifically describe what you cannot do, not just what your diagnosis is. The NDIS funds based on functional impact, not diagnosis alone.
Step 4: Submit your Access Request
Once you have gathered your evidence, you can submit your Access Request Form (ARF) in one of three ways:
By phone: Call the NDIS on 1800 800 110 and request an Access Request Form verbally
By post: Download the form from ndis.gov.au, complete it and mail it with your supporting evidence to PO Box 700, Canberra ACT 2601
Through your LAC: Your Local Area Coordinator can help you complete and submit the form
Make sure your supporting documentation is included when you submit. Incomplete applications take longer to process.
Step 5: Wait for the NDIA's decision
Under the NDIS Participant Service Guarantee, the NDIA must make a decision within 21 days of receiving all required information. In practice, decisions can sometimes take longer — particularly if additional evidence is requested.
If your application is approved, you will be contacted to arrange a planning meeting. If it is not approved, you have the right to request a review of the decision.
Step 6: Your planning meeting
This is one of the most important conversations in the NDIS process. Your planning meeting is where your individual NDIS plan is created — including the supports that will be funded and the budget allocated to each category.
Come prepared. Write down your goals (short-term and long-term), the support you currently receive from family or carers, and the specific things you struggle with day-to-day. The more clearly you can describe your needs, the more accurately your plan will reflect them.
You are allowed to bring a support person — a family member, carer, advocate or LAC — to your planning meeting. We strongly encourage this.
What Happens After You Are Approved?
Once your NDIS plan is approved, you will receive a letter outlining your funding categories and budget. You then have a choice about how your plan is managed:
Agency managed: The NDIA pays your providers directly from your plan
Plan managed: A registered plan manager handles payments on your behalf — giving you access to both registered and unregistered providers
Self managed: You manage your own budget and pay providers directly — giving you the most flexibility
From here, you can start engaging with NDIS providers to deliver the supports in your plan. You are not locked in to any provider — you have the right to choose who supports you and to change at any time.
Accessing NDIS Services in Western Sydney
If you are based in Western Sydney — including Blacktown, Stanhope Gardens, Kellyville, Rouse Hill, Quakers Hill, Castle Hill or the broader Blacktown LGA — Bopha Cares is a local, registered NDIS provider ready to support you.
We offer the full range of NDIS-funded services, including personal care, domestic assistance, nursing and complex care, community activities, respite and transport. As a provider based right here in Stanhope Gardens, we understand the local community and can begin supporting you quickly once your plan is in place.
There are no lock-in contracts and no exit fees. We offer a free initial consultation to understand your goals and match you with the right support workers.
Call us on 0452 330 837 or visit our contact page to get started.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does an NDIS application take?
The NDIA has 21 days to make a decision once they have all the required information. However, gathering evidence and completing the application can take several weeks. Starting the process early — ideally with the support of a LAC — will help avoid delays.
Can I apply for the NDIS if I already receive other government support?
Yes. Receiving other government support, such as the Disability Support Pension (DSP) or Carer Payment, does not affect your eligibility for the NDIS. The two systems are separate.
What if my application is rejected?
You can request a review of the decision within 3 months. You can also seek an independent review through the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT). Many applications that are initially declined are later approved on review — particularly when additional evidence is provided.
Can children apply for the NDIS?
Yes. Children under 9 are typically supported through the NDIS Early Childhood Approach, delivered by Early Childhood Partners. Children aged 9 and over can apply for a standard NDIS plan.
Do I need a formal diagnosis to apply?
Not always. The NDIS assesses eligibility based on functional impact — how your disability affects your daily life — rather than diagnosis alone. However, having a formal diagnosis and supporting reports from health professionals significantly strengthens your application.