FOI 25/26-1439 DOCUMENT 5

Impairment categories guide

SGP KP Publishing

Exported on 2026-02-16 01:52:32

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This document was released under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 by the National Disability Insurance Agency

FOI 25/26-1439 SGP KP Publishing – Impairment categories guide

Table of Contents

1. Recent updates …………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 4
2. Impairments categories guide ……………………………………………………………………………….. 5
3. Conditions …………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 6 3.1 Autism (ASD) ………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 6 3.2 Acquired brain injury …………………………………………………………………………………………….. 6 3.3 Intellectual disability ……………………………………………………………………………………………… 6 3.4 Cerebral Palsy …………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 8 3.5 Down Syndrome ………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 8 3.6 Hearing Impairment ……………………………………………………………………………………………… 8 3.7 Visual Impairment ………………………………………………………………………………………………… 8 3.8 Other Sensory - Speech ……………………………………………………………………………………….. 8 3.9 Multiple Sclerosis …………………………………………………………………………………………………. 8 3.10 Other Neurological ……………………………………………………………………………………………. 9 3.11 Stroke ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 9 3.12 Other Physical ………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 9 3.13 Psychosocial disability …………………………………………………………………………………….. 10 3.14 Spinal Cord Injury …………………………………………………………………………………………… 10 3.15 Other …………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 11

Table of Contents – 2 Page 112 of 213

This document was released under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 by the National Disability Insurance Agency

FOI 25/26-1439 SGP KP Publishing – Impairment categories guide

This article provides guidance for an access delegate to understand what impairment categories to select for a person that meets the eligibility requirements.

Recent updates – 3 Page 113 of 213

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FOI 25/26-1439 SGP KP Publishing – Impairment categories guide

1 Recent updates

14 October 2024

New guidance to:

• reflect legislation changes from 3 October 2024
• decide what impairment categories to select for a person that meets the eligibility requirements.

Recent updates – 4 Page 114 of 213

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FOI 25/26-1439 SGP KP Publishing – Impairment categories guide

2 Impairments categories guide

Impairments are a loss of or damage to a body’s function. When we assess an impairment to meet access, we look at:

• the body’s function
• the body’s structure
• how they think and learn.

To learn more about impairment categories go to article Descriptions of impairment categories.

The following list provides you with information on:

• the condition
• the ICD 10 Code
• the required impairment category for access assessors to select
• optional impairment categories to select as relevant, based on evidence provided with access request.

Impairments categories guide – 5 Page 115 of 213

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FOI 25/26-1439 SGP KP Publishing – Impairment categories guide

3 Conditions

3.1 Autism (ASD)

1. Autism – includes Rett and Asperger Syndrome
   ICD 10 Codes: F84.0, F84.2, F84.5
   Required impairment category: Neurological
   Optional impairment categories: Intellectual, cognitive, physical, psychosocial

3.2 Acquired brain injury

1. Glioblastoma
   ICD 10 Code: G71.9
   Required impairment category: Neurological
   Optional impairment categories: Cognitive, physical, psychosocial

2. Hypoxic brain injury
   ICD 10 Code: 93.1
   Required impairment category: Neurological
   Optional impairment categories: Physical, psychosocial

3. Traumatic brain injury – also called head injury and acquired brain damage
   ICD 10 Code: T90
   Required impairment category: Neurological
   Optional impairment categories: Cognitive, physical, psychosocial

3.3 Intellectual disability

1. Mild intellectual disability
   ICD 10 Codes: F70
   Required impairment category: Intellectual
   Optional impairment categories: Cognitive

2. Moderate intellectual disability
   ICD 10 Codes: F71
   Required impairment category: Intellectual
   Optional impairment categories: Cognitive, physical, psychosocial

3. Severe intellectual disability
   ICD 10 Codes: F72
   Required impairment category: Intellectual
   Optional impairment categories: Cognitive, physical, psychosocial

4. Profound intellectual disability
   ICD 10 Codes: F73
   Required impairment category: Intellectual
   Optional impairment categories: Cognitive, physical, psychosocial

5. Unspecified intellectual disability
   ICD 10 Codes: F79
   Required impairment category: Intellectual
   Optional impairment categories: Cognitive, sensory, physical, psychosocial

6. Pervasive developmental disorder
   ICD 10 Codes: F84.8
   Required impairment category: Intellectual
   Optional impairment categories: Cognitive, sensory, psychosocial

7. Microcephaly
   ICD 10 Codes: Q02
   Required impairment category: Intellectual
   Optional impairment categories: Cognitive, neurological, sensory, physical

8. Other congenital brain conditions – for example, tuberous sclerosis
   ICD 10 Codes: Q04
   Required impairment category: Intellectual
   Optional impairment categories: Cognitive, neurological, physical

Conditions – 6 Page 116 of 213

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FOI 25/26-1439 SGP KP Publishing – Impairment categories guide

9. Spina bifida
   ICD 10 Codes: Q05
   Required impairment category: Physical
   Optional impairment categories: Intellectual, cognitive, sensory, neurological

10. Foetal alcohol syndrome
    ICD 10 Codes: Q86.0
    Required impairment category: Neurological
    Optional impairment categories: Intellectual, cognitive, sensory, physical, psychosocial

11. Foetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD)
    ICD 10 Codes: Q86.0D
    Required impairment category: Neurological
    Optional impairment categories: Intellectual, cognitive, sensory, physical, psychosocial

12. Cornelia de Lange syndrome
    ICD 10 Codes: Q87.1
    Required impairment category: Intellectual
    Optional impairment categories: Cognitive, neurological, sensory, physical, psychosocial

13. Prader Willi syndrome
    ICD 10 Codes: Q87.1
    Required impairment category: Intellectual
    Optional impairment categories: Cognitive, neurological, physical, psychosocial

14. Coffin-Lowry syndrome
    ICD 10 Codes: Q87.8
    Required impairment category: Intellectual
    Optional impairment categories: Cognitive, neurological, sensory, physical, psychosocial

15. Other congenital conditions (causing intellectual disability)
    ICD 10 Codes: Q89
    Required impairment category: Intellectual
    Optional impairment categories: Cognitive, neurological, sensory, physical, psychosocial

16. Edwards syndrome
    ICD 10 Codes: Q91
    Required impairment category: Intellectual
    Optional impairment categories: Cognitive, neurological, sensory, physical, psychosocial

17. Patau syndrome
    ICD 10 Codes: Q91
    Required impairment category: Intellectual
    Optional impairment categories: Cognitive, neurological, sensory, physical, psychosocial

18. Cri du Chat syndrome
    ICD 10 Codes: Q93.4
    Required impairment category: Intellectual
    Optional impairment categories: Cognitive, sensory, physical

19. Angelman syndrome
    ICD 10 Codes: Q93.5
    Required impairment category: Intellectual
    Optional impairment categories: Cognitive, sensory, physical

20. Other chromosomal syndromes (including Kabuki & Williams syndromes)
    ICD 10 Codes: Q99
    Required impairment category: Intellectual
    Optional impairment categories: Cognitive, neurological, sensory, physical, psychosocial

21. Fragile X syndrome
    ICD 10 Codes: Q99.2
    Required impairment category: Intellectual
    Optional impairment categories: Cognitive, neurological, sensory, physical, psychosocial

Conditions – 7 Page 117 of 213

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FOI 25/26-1439 SGP KP Publishing – Impairment categories guide

3.4 Cerebral Palsy

1. Cerebral palsy
   ICD 10 Codes: G80
   Required impairment category: Physical
   Optional impairment categories: Intellectual, cognitive, neurological, sensory

3.5 Down Syndrome

1. Down syndrome
   ICD 10 Codes: Q90
   Required impairment category: Intellectual
   Optional impairment categories: Cognitive, physical

3.6 Hearing Impairment

1. Hearing loss
   ICD 10 Codes: H90
   Required impairment category: Sensory
   Optional impairment categories: Cognitive

2. Congenital hearing condition
   ICD 10 Codes: Q16.9
   Required impairment category: Sensory
   Optional impairment categories: Cognitive

3.7 Visual Impairment

1. Albinism
   ICD 10 Codes: E70.3
   Required impairment category: Sensory
   Optional impairment categories: Not applicable

2. Visual impairment (including blindness)
   ICD 10 Codes: H54
   Required impairment category: Sensory
   Optional impairment categories: Not applicable

3. Congenital eye conditions
   ICD 10 Codes: Q15.9
   Required impairment category: Sensory
   Optional impairment categories: Not applicable

3.8 Other Sensory - Speech

1. Other sensory - speech
   ICD 10 Codes: R47
   Required impairment category: Sensory
   Optional impairment categories: Physical

3.9 Multiple Sclerosis

1. Multiple Sclerosis
   ICD 10 Codes: G35
   Required impairment category: Neurological
   Optional impairment categories: Cognitive, physical, psychosocial

Conditions – 8 Page 118 of 213

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FOI 25/26-1439 SGP KP Publishing – Impairment categories guide

3.10 Other Neurological

1. Alzheimer’s disease
   ICD 10 Codes: F00
   Required impairment category: Cognitive
   Optional impairment categories: Neurological, physical, psychosocial

2. Unspecified dementia
   ICD 10 Codes: F03
   Required impairment category: Cognitive
   Optional impairment categories: Neurological, physical, psychosocial

3. Huntington disease
   ICD 10 Codes: G10
   Required impairment category: Physical
   Optional impairment categories: Cognitive, neurological, psychosocial

4. Motor neurone disease
   ICD 10 Codes: G12.2
   Required impairment category: Physical
   Optional impairment categories: Cognitive, neurological, sensory, psychosocial

5. Parkinson’s disease
   ICD 10 Codes: G20
   Required impairment category: Neurological
   Optional impairment categories: Cognitive, physical, psychosocial

6. Epilepsy – Mandatory TAPI
   ICD 10 Codes: G40
   Required impairment category: Neurological
   Optional impairment categories: Intellectual, cognitive, psychosocial

7. Muscular dystrophy
   ICD 10 Codes: G71.0
   Required impairment category: Physical
   Optional impairment categories: Neurological

8. Other Neurological – List A and List C
   ICD 10 Codes: G99
   Required impairment category: Neurological
   Optional impairment categories: Cognitive, sensory, physical

3.11 Stroke

1. Stroke
   ICD 10 Codes: I69
   Required impairment category: Physical
   Optional impairment categories: Cognitive, neurological, sensory, psychosocial

3.12 Other Physical

1. Rheumatoid arthritis
   ICD 10 Codes: M05
   Required impairment category: Physical
   Optional impairment categories: Not applicable

2. Other arthritis – mandatory TAPI
   ICD 10 Codes: M12
   Required impairment category: Physical
   Optional impairment categories: Not applicable

3. Other physical
   ICD 10 Codes: M95
   Required impairment category: Physical
   Optional impairment categories: Psychosocial

4. Multiple traumatic amputations
   ICD 10 Codes: T05
   Required impairment category: Physical
   Optional impairment categories: Psychosocial

5. Myopathy
   ICD 10 Codes: G72.9
   Required impairment category: Physical
   Optional impairment categories: Not applicable

Conditions – 9 Page 119 of 213

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FOI 25/26-1439 SGP KP Publishing – Impairment categories guide

3.13 Psychosocial disability

1. Schizophrenia
   ICD 10 Codes: F20
   Required impairment category: Psychosocial
   Optional impairment categories: Cognitive

2. Schizoaffective disorder
   ICD 10 Codes: F25.9
   Required impairment category: Psychosocial
   Optional impairment categories: Cognitive

3. Bipolar affective disorder
   ICD 10 Codes: F31
   Required impairment category: Psychosocial
   Optional impairment categories: Cognitive

4. Major depressive illness
   ICD 10 Codes: F32
   Required impairment category: Psychosocial
   Optional impairment categories: Cognitive

5. Other anxiety disorders
   ICD 10 Codes: F41
   Required impairment category: Psychosocial
   Optional impairment categories: Cognitive

6. Obsessive-compulsive disorder
   ICD 10 Codes: F42
   Required impairment category: Psychosocial
   Optional impairment categories: Not applicable

7. Post traumatic stress disorder
   ICD 10 Codes: F43
   Required impairment category: Psychosocial
   Optional impairment categories: Cognitive

8. Borderline personality disorder
   ICD 10 Codes: F60.3
   Required impairment category: Psychosocial
   Optional impairment categories: Not applicable

9. Tourette syndrome
   ICD 10 Codes: F95.2
   Required impairment category: Neurological
   Optional impairment categories: Cognitive, physical, psychosocial

10. Other psychosocial disorders
    ICD 10 Codes: F99
    Required impairment category: Psychosocial
    Optional impairment categories: Cognitive

11. Anorexia
    ICD 10 Codes: R63
    Required impairment category: Psychosocial
    Optional impairment categories: Cognitive, physical

3.14 Spinal Cord Injury

1. Malignant neoplasm of spinal cord complete and incomplete
   ICD 10 Codes: C72.5, C72.7
   Required impairment category: Physical
   Optional impairment categories: Neurological, sensory

2. Spinal cord injury (complete)
   ICD 10 Codes: T09.5
   Required impairment category: Physical
   Optional impairment categories: Neurological, sensory, psychosocial

3. Spinal cord injury (incomplete)
   ICD 10 Codes: T09.7
   Required impairment category: Physical
   Optional impairment categories: Neurological, sensory, psychosocial

Conditions – 10 Page 120 of 213

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FOI 25/26-1439 SGP KP Publishing – Impairment categories guide

3.15 Other

1. Malignant neoplasm of brain
   ICD 10 Codes: C71
   Required impairment category: Neurological
   Optional impairment categories: Cognitive, psychosocial

2. Metastatic cancer
   ICD 10 Codes: C79.9
   Required impairment category: Physical
   Optional impairment categories: Cognitive

3. Malignant neoplasm of blood or immune disease
   ICD 10 Codes: C96
   Required impairment category: Physical
   Optional impairment categories: Cognitive

4. Autoimmune disorders
   ICD 10 Codes: D89.9
   Required impairment category: Physical
   Optional impairment categories: Cognitive

5. Obesity – mandatory TAPI
   ICD 10 Codes: E66
   Required impairment category: Physical
   Optional impairment categories: Psychosocial

6. Classical phenylketonuria
   ICD 10 Codes: E70.0
   Required impairment category: Cognitive
   Optional impairment categories: Psychosocial

7. Disorders of pyruvate metabolism and gluconeogenesis
   ICD 10 Codes: E74.4
   Required impairment category: Intellectual
   Optional impairment categories: Neurological, physical

8. Other metabolic disorders
   ICD 10 Codes: E88
   Required impairment category: Intellectual
   Optional impairment categories: Neurological, physical

9. Dementia – rapidly progressing
   ICD 10 Codes: F03.9
   Required impairment category: Cognitive
   Optional impairment categories: Not applicable

10. Functional neurological disorder (FND) – mandatory TAPI
    ICD 10 Codes: F44.4
    Required impairment category: Neurological
    Optional impairment categories: Cognitive, sensory, physical

11. Other language disorder
    ICD 10 Codes: F80
    Required impairment category: Cognitive
    Optional impairment categories: Not applicable

12. Peripheral neuropathy – does NOT require TAPI
    ICD 10 Codes: F90.0
    Required impairment category: Neurological
    Optional impairment categories: Sensory, physical

13. Oppositional defiant disorder (ODD)
    ICD 10 Codes: F91.3
    Required impairment category: Cognitive
    Optional impairment categories: Psychosocial

14. Other hereditary ataxias
    ICD 10 Codes: G11.8
    Required impairment category: Neurological
    Optional impairment categories: Cognitive, sensory, physical

15. Dementia – early onset
    ICD 10 Codes: G30.0
    Required impairment category: Cognitive
    Optional impairment categories: Not applicable

16. Plegia
    ICD 10 Codes: G83.1
    Required impairment category: Physical
    Optional impairment categories: Neurological

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FOI 25/26-1439 SGP KP Publishing – Impairment categories guide

17. Chronic pain – mandatory TAPI
    ICD 10 Codes: G89.4
    Required impairment category: Physical
    Optional impairment categories: Sensory, psychosocial

18. Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) – mandatory TAPI
    ICD 10 Codes: I49.8
    Required impairment category: Neurological
    Optional impairment categories: Physical

19. Lymphoedema – mandatory TAPI
    ICD 10 Codes: I89.0
    Required impairment category: Physical
    Optional impairment categories: Not applicable

20. Chronic lung disease
    ICD 10 Codes: J44.9
    Required impairment category: Physical
    Optional impairment categories:

21. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) – mandatory TAPI
    ICD 10 Codes: J44.9A
    Required impairment category: Physical
    Optional impairment categories: Not applicable

22. Osteoarthritis – mandatory TAPI
    ICD 10 Codes: M19.9
    Required impairment category: Physical
    Optional impairment categories: Not applicable

23. Systemic lupus erythematosus
    ICD 10 Codes: M32
    Required impairment category: Physical
    Optional impairment categories: Not applicable

24. Ankylosing spondylitis
    ICD 10 Codes: M45
    Required impairment category: Physical
    Optional impairment categories: Not applicable

25. Fibromyalgia
    ICD 10 Codes: M79.7
    Required impairment category: Physical
    Optional impairment categories: Sensory

26. Renal failure
    ICD 10 Codes: N18
    Required impairment category: Physical
    Optional impairment categories:

27. Ehlers Danlos – does NOT require TAPI
    ICD 10 Codes: Q79.6
    Required impairment category: Physical
    Optional impairment categories: Not applicable

28. Dyslexia
    ICD 10 Codes: R48
    Required impairment category: Cognitive
    Optional impairment categories: Psychosocial

29. Childhood apraxia of speech
    ICD 10 Codes: R48.2
    Required impairment category: Neurological
    Optional impairment categories: Cognitive

30. Short stature
    ICD 10 Codes: R62.5
    Required impairment category: Physical
    Optional impairment categories: Not applicable

31. Amputation – single limb or upper/lower limb
    ICD 10 Codes: Z89
    Required impairment category: Physical
    Optional impairment categories: Cognitive, sensory, psychosocial

32. Amputation – multiple
    ICD 10 Codes: Z89.1
    Required impairment category: Physical
    Optional impairment categories: Cognitive, sensory, psychosocial

Conditions – 12 Page 122 of 213

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