At Advocacy for Inclusion (AFI), we are committed to supporting people with disability to understand and navigate their rights.
We no longer provide direct support to appeal a NDIS decision through the internal review process. If you would like advocacy support for an internal review, you can call the Disability Gateway, for support.
Requesting an Internal Review
You have three months from the date you receive your decision letter to request an internal review. Information on how to request an internal review can be found on the NDIS website: Request an Internal Review.
Providing Additional Evidence
When you request an internal review, it is often necessary to submit additional evidence to strengthen your application. There are two types of decisions you can appeal. A decision about accessing the NDIS or a decision about accessing supports under the NDIS. It will depend on what type of decision it is for what evidence you may need to submit.
Accessing the NDIS
You need to show that:
- Your disability is caused by an impairment;
- Your impairment is likely to be permanent;
- Your impairment substantially reduces your ability to:
- Mobilise,
- Communicate,
- Socialise,
- Learn, or
- Undertake self-care and self-management tasks; and
- You are likely to require NDIS support for your lifetime.
You may also be eligible for early intervention supports if your impairments are likely to be permanent and early NDIS support would reduce your future needs.
More information about the type of evidence you may need is available here: Types of Disability Evidence.
Accessing supports under the NDIS
You need to show that the supports that you are requesting under the NDIS are reasonable and necessary. You will need to show the support:
- relates to the impairment(s) that you meet access for;
- will help you to pursue your NDIS goals, objectives and aspirations;
- will help you undertake activities to facilitate your social and economic participation;
- is value for money. For example, accessing the support reduces the need for another support;
- will be effective and beneficial for you;
- is not more appropriately provided by family, carers, informal networks or the community.
More information about this can be found here: Reasonable and necessary supports.
Suggested Health Professionals
You may find it helpful to obtain updated reports or assessments from:
- Your psychiatrist (if you have one)
- Your GP
- Your psychologist (if you have one)
- A specialist (if you have one)
- Occupational therapists or other allied health professionals supporting you
Resources for Your Treating Team
You can provide the following resources to your treating team to assist them in preparing reports that meet NDIS requirements:
- Getting the language right – Summer Foundation
- 10 Steps to Excellent NDIS Therapy Reports – VALID
- Our Guidelines – How We Weigh Evidence of Disability
If You Disagree with the Internal Review Decision
If you disagree with the outcome of the internal review, you can request an external review through the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART) (previously known as the AAT).
AFI may be able to assist you with an appeal to the ART. If you would like support, please contact us.
Key points:
- You have 28 days from the date you receive the internal review decision to apply for an external review.
- If you have not received an internal review decision within 90 days of lodging your request, you can apply directly to the ART.
More information about external reviews is available here: