GPs, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, psychologists, and social workers are often the first professionals to identify that a patient needs NDIS support. Knowing how to make a useful referral — and what information to include — makes the process faster and more effective for the patient.

What allied health providers need to know about NDIS

Some basics worth understanding:

NDIS funds disability supports, not medical treatment. The line between treatment (your role) and disability support (NDIS) sometimes blurs but the principle holds.

Eligibility requires permanent disability with significant functional impact. Not every chronic condition qualifies. Permanence and impact thresholds are real.

Access requires evidence. Strong supporting evidence from clinicians is essential. Vague letters don't get access.

Plans are individualised. What gets funded depends on the specific person, their circumstances, and their goals.

The system is administratively complex. Patients often need help navigating it, beyond just the clinical evidence you can provide.

For most allied health professionals, the involvement is at access stage (writing supporting evidence), at planning stage (sometimes contributing assessment reports), and at delivery stage (providing therapy that's NDIS-funded).

How to make a referral

If you've identified a patient who may benefit from NDIS:

Step 1: Talk to them about it. Some patients have reasons not to pursue NDIS — privacy concerns, prior bad experiences with government services, or just not wanting more clinical involvement. Confirm they want to apply.

Step 2: Provide written evidence. A letter or report addressing their condition, permanence, and functional impact in concrete terms.

Step 3: Connect them with someone who can help with the application. This might be:

A Local Area Coordinator (LAC) — Carers Queensland or Feros Care in most Queensland regions.

A community organisation that supports NDIS applications.

NDIA directly on 1800 800 110.

A disability advocacy service.

Step 4: Stay engaged if invited. Some patients want their treating clinicians involved through planning and access. Respond to specific requests for additional information.

Step 5: Continue clinical care. NDIS access doesn't replace medical treatment. Continue your usual care.

What information to include

When writing supporting evidence:

The diagnosis. Specific, with current and past assessment dates.

The condition's permanence. Whether it's expected to be lifelong, lifelong with episodic variations, or otherwise enduring.

Treatment history and current status. What's been tried, what's working, what's the current management.

Functional impact in concrete terms. Don't just say "patient struggles with daily life." Specify: which activities, how much help is needed, what's the consequence of not having support. Address the six NDIS functional domains where relevant.

Risk and safety. Any specific risks the funding body should know about.

Recommendations. What kind of supports you'd think reasonable for this patient.

Be specific. Vague letters are weak evidence. Letters that actually describe how disability affects daily functioning are strong evidence.

For psychosocial disability specifically, the EPD form is the standard tool — your letter can supplement it but the form is what NDIA expects.

Connecting NDIS and health services

Once a patient is on NDIS, the relationship between health services and NDIS supports continues:

NDIS-funded therapy may continue alongside health-funded treatment. NDIS funds capacity-building therapy; the health system funds clinical treatment of medical conditions.

NDIS providers may need information from you to deliver effectively. With patient consent, share relevant clinical context.

You may have role in plan reviews — providing updated reports on functional change, treatment response, and ongoing impact.

You may need to collaborate with NDIS-funded behaviour support practitioners, recovery coaches, or other NDIS providers.

If you want to understand what NDIS funds and how, the NDIA website is the authoritative source. Local providers and LACs are usually willing to talk to clinicians about the system.

Frequently asked questions

Is there a Medicare item number for writing NDIS evidence?

Mostly no — writing NDIS evidence isn't separately funded by Medicare. It's part of standard clinical care for patients pursuing NDIS access. Some clinicians charge patients privately for detailed evidence reports beyond standard clinical letters.

Can I refer to a specific NDIS provider?

You can suggest providers in your area, but the choice is the participant's. Don't make referrals without consent.

What if I think a patient should get NDIS but they don't want to apply?

Respect their decision. Some patients have valid reasons for not pursuing NDIS. Document the conversation.

My patient was refused NDIS. Can I help with appeals?

Updated evidence addressing specific reasons for refusal helps with internal review. Talk to the patient and any advocacy services involved about what's needed.

How do I find local NDIS providers?

NDIS Provider Finder on ndis.gov.au, plus word of mouth from other clinicians and from disability advocacy services.

If you're an allied health professional in Queensland and want to discuss referrals to Seareal, contact us. We work with referrers across the state.