FOI 25/26-1439 DOCUMENT 6

Impairment categories guide

SGP KP Publishing

Exported on 2026-02-16 01:56:04

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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 ………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 9 3.6 Hearing Impairment ……………………………………………………………………………………………… 9 3.7 Visual Impairment ………………………………………………………………………………………………… 9 3.8 Other Sensory – Speech ………………………………………………………………………………………. 9 3.9 Multiple Sclerosis …………………………………………………………………………………………………. 9 3.10 Other Neurological ……………………………………………………………………………………………. 10 3.11 Stroke ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 10 3.12 Other Physical ………………………………………………………………………………………………… 11 3.13 Psychosocial disability …………………………………………………………………………………….. 11 3.14 Spinal Cord Injury …………………………………………………………………………………………… 12 3.15 Other …………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 12

Table of Contents – 2 Page 124 of 213

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

This article provides guidance for all NDIA staff and partners to understand which impairment categories to select for a person that meets the eligibility requirements.

Recent updates – 3 Page 125 of 213

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

1 Recent updates

7 July 2025

Guidance language update. There is new language for required impairment category or optional impairment categories. This is now Highly likely impairment category and commonly associated impairment categories.

Recent updates – 4 Page 126 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
• ICD 10 Codes
• highly likely impairment category for access assessors to select
• commonly associated impairment categories to select as relevant, based on evidence provided.

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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
   Highly likely impairment category: Neurological
   Commonly associated impairment categories: Intellectual, cognitive, physical, psychosocial

3.2 Acquired brain injury

1. Glioblastoma
   ICD 10 Code: G71.9
   Highly likely impairment category: Neurological
   Commonly associated impairment categories: Cognitive, physical, psychosocial

2. Hypoxic brain injury
   ICD 10 Code: 93.1
   Highly likely impairment category: Neurological
   Commonly associated impairment categories: Physical, psychosocial

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

3.3 Intellectual disability

1. Mild intellectual disability
   ICD 10 Code: F70
   Highly likely impairment category: Intellectual
   Commonly associated impairment categories: Cognitive

2. Moderate intellectual disability
   ICD 10 Code: F71
   Highly likely impairment category: Intellectual
   Commonly associated impairment categories: Cognitive, physical, psychosocial

3. Severe intellectual disability
   ICD 10 Code: F72
   Highly likely impairment category: Intellectual
   Commonly associated impairment categories: Cognitive, physical, psychosocial

4. Profound intellectual disability
   ICD 10 Code: F73
   Highly likely impairment category: Intellectual
   Commonly associated impairment categories: Cognitive, physical, psychosocial

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

5. Unspecified intellectual disability
   ICD 10 Code: F79
   Highly likely impairment category: Intellectual
   Commonly associated impairment categories: Cognitive, sensory, physical, psychosocial

6. Pervasive developmental disorder
   ICD 10 Code: F84.8
   Highly likely impairment category: Intellectual
   Commonly associated impairment categories: Cognitive, sensory, psychosocial

7. Microcephaly
   ICD 10 Code: Q02
   Highly likely impairment category: Intellectual
   Commonly associated impairment categories: Cognitive, neurological, sensory, physical

8. Other congenital brain conditions – for example, tuberous sclerosis
   ICD 10 Code: Q04
   Highly likely impairment category: Intellectual
   Commonly associated impairment categories: Cognitive, neurological, physical

9. Spina bifida
   ICD 10 Code: Q05
   Highly likely impairment category: Physical
   Commonly associated impairment categories: Intellectual, cognitive, sensory, neurological

10. Foetal alcohol syndrome
    ICD 10 Code: Q86.0
    Highly likely impairment category: Neurological
    Commonly associated impairment categories: Intellectual, cognitive, sensory, physical, psychosocial

11. Foetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD)
    ICD 10 Code: Q86.0D
    Highly likely impairment category: Neurological
    Commonly associated impairment categories: Intellectual, cognitive, sensory, physical, psychosocial

12. Cornelia de Lange syndrome
    ICD 10 Code: Q87.1
    Highly likely impairment category: Intellectual
    Commonly associated impairment categories: Cognitive, neurological, sensory, physical, psychosocial

13. Prader Willi syndrome
    ICD 10 Code: Q87.1
    Highly likely impairment category: Intellectual
    Commonly associated impairment categories: Cognitive, neurological, physical, psychosocial

14. Coffin-Lowry syndrome
    ICD 10 Code: Q87.8

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Highly likely impairment category: Intellectual
Commonly associated impairment categories: Cognitive, neurological, sensory, physical, psychosocial

15. Other congenital conditions (causing intellectual disability)
    ICD 10 Code: Q89
    Highly likely impairment category: Intellectual
    Commonly associated impairment categories: Cognitive, neurological, sensory, physical, psychosocial

16. Edwards syndrome
    ICD 10 Code: Q91
    Highly likely impairment category: Intellectual
    Commonly associated impairment categories: Cognitive, neurological, sensory, physical, psychosocial

17. Patau syndrome
    ICD 10 Code: Q91
    Highly likely impairment category: Intellectual
    Commonly associated impairment categories: Cognitive, neurological, sensory, physical, psychosocial

18. Cri du Chat syndrome
    ICD 10 Code: Q93.4
    Highly likely impairment category: Intellectual
    Commonly associated impairment categories: Cognitive, sensory, physical

19. Angelman syndrome
    ICD 10 Code: Q93.5
    Highly likely impairment category: Intellectual
    Commonly associated impairment categories: Cognitive, sensory, physical

20. Other chromosomal syndromes (including Kabuki & Williams syndromes)
    ICD 10 Code: Q99
    Highly likely impairment category: Intellectual
    Commonly associated impairment categories: Cognitive, neurological, sensory, physical, psychosocial

21. Fragile X syndrome
    ICD 10 Code: Q99.2
    Highly likely impairment category: Intellectual
    Commonly associated impairment categories: Cognitive, neurological, sensory, physical, psychosocial

3.4 Cerebral Palsy

1. Cerebral palsy
   ICD 10 Code: G80
   Highly likely impairment category: Physical
   Commonly associated impairment categories: Intellectual, cognitive, neurological, sensory

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3.5 Down Syndrome

1. Down syndrome
   ICD 10 Code: Q90
   Highly likely impairment category: Intellectual
   Commonly associated impairment categories: Cognitive, physical

3.6 Hearing Impairment

1. Hearing loss
   ICD 10 Code: H90
   Highly likely impairment category: Sensory
   Commonly associated impairment category: Cognitive

2. Congenital hearing condition
   ICD 10 Code: Q16.9
   Highly likely impairment category: Sensory
   Commonly associated impairment category: Cognitive

3.7 Visual Impairment

1. Albinism
   ICD 10 Code: E70.3
   Highly likely impairment category: Sensory
   Commonly associated impairment category: Not applicable

2. Visual impairment (including blindness)
   ICD 10 Code: H54
   Highly likely impairment category: Sensory
   Commonly associated impairment category: Not applicable

3. Congenital eye conditions
   ICD 10 Code: Q15.9
   Highly likely impairment category: Sensory
   Commonly associated impairment category: Not applicable

3.8 Other Sensory – Speech

1. Other sensory – speech
   ICD 10 Code: R47
   Highly likely impairment category: Sensory
   Commonly associated impairment category: Physical

3.9 Multiple Sclerosis

1. Multiple Sclerosis
   ICD 10 Code: G35
   Highly likely impairment category: Neurological
   Commonly associated impairment categories: Cognitive, physical, psychosocial

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3.10 Other Neurological

1. Alzheimer’s disease
   ICD 10 Code: F00
   Highly likely impairment category: Cognitive
   Commonly associated impairment categories: Neurological, physical, psychosocial

2. Unspecified dementia
   ICD 10 Code: F03
   Highly likely impairment category: Cognitive
   Commonly associated impairment categories: Neurological, physical, psychosocial

3. Huntington disease
   ICD 10 Code: G10
   Highly likely impairment category: Physical
   Commonly associated impairment categories: Cognitive, neurological, psychosocial

4. Motor neurone disease
   ICD 10 Code: G12.2
   Highly likely impairment category: Physical
   Commonly associated impairment categories: Cognitive, neurological, sensory, psychosocial

5. Parkinson’s disease
   ICD 10 Code: G20
   Highly likely impairment category: Neurological
   Commonly associated impairment categories: Cognitive, physical, psychosocial

6. Epilepsy – Mandatory TAPI
   ICD 10 Code: G40
   Highly likely impairment category: Neurological
   Commonly associated impairment categories: Intellectual, cognitive, psychosocial

7. Muscular dystrophy
   ICD 10 Code: G71.0
   Highly likely impairment category: Physical
   Commonly associated impairment category: Neurological

8. Other Neurological – List A and List C
   ICD 10 Code: G99
   Highly likely impairment category: Neurological
   Commonly associated impairment categories: Cognitive, sensory, physical

3.11 Stroke

1. Stroke
   ICD 10 Code: I69
   Highly likely impairment category: Physical
   Commonly associated impairment categories: Cognitive, neurological, sensory, psychosocial

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3.12 Other Physical

1. Rheumatoid arthritis
   ICD 10 Code: M05
   Highly likely impairment category: Physical
   Commonly associated impairment category: Not applicable

2. Other arthritis – mandatory TAPI
   ICD 10 Code: M12
   Highly likely impairment category: Physical
   Commonly associated impairment category: Not applicable

3. Other physical
   ICD 10 Code: M95
   Highly likely impairment category: Physical
   Commonly associated impairment category: Psychosocial

4. Multiple traumatic amputations
   ICD 10 Code: T05
   Highly likely impairment category: Physical
   Commonly associated impairment category: Psychosocial

5. Myopathy
   ICD 10 Code: G72.9
   Highly likely impairment category: Physical
   Commonly associated impairment category: Not applicable

3.13 Psychosocial disability

1. Schizophrenia
   ICD 10 Code: F20
   Highly likely impairment category: Psychosocial
   Commonly associated impairment category: Cognitive

2. Schizoaffective disorder
   ICD 10 Code: F25.9
   Highly likely impairment category: Psychosocial
   Commonly associated impairment category: Cognitive

3. Bipolar affective disorder
   ICD 10 Code: F31
   Highly likely impairment category: Psychosocial
   Commonly associated impairment category: Cognitive

4. Major depressive illness
   ICD 10 Code: F32
   Highly likely impairment category: Psychosocial
   Commonly associated impairment categories: Cognitive

5. Other anxiety disorders
   ICD 10 Code: F41
   Highly likely impairment category: Psychosocial
   Commonly associated impairment categories: Cognitive

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6. Obsessive-compulsive disorder
   ICD 10 Code: F42
   Highly likely impairment category: Psychosocial
   Commonly associated impairment category: Not applicable

7. Post traumatic stress disorder
   ICD 10 Code: F43
   Highly likely impairment category: Psychosocial
   Commonly associated impairment category: Cognitive

8. Borderline personality disorder
   ICD 10 Code: F60.3
   Highly likely impairment category: Psychosocial
   Commonly associated impairment category: Not applicable

9. Tourette syndrome
   ICD 10 Code: F95.2
   Highly likely impairment category: Neurological
   Commonly associated impairment categories: Cognitive, physical, psychosocial

10. Other psychosocial disorders
    ICD 10 Code: F99
    Highly likely impairment category: Psychosocial
    Commonly associated impairment category: Cognitive

11. Anorexia
    ICD 10 Code: R63
    Highly likely impairment category: Psychosocial
    Commonly associated impairment categories: Cognitive, physical

3.14 Spinal Cord Injury

1. Malignant neoplasm of spinal cord complete and incomplete
   ICD 10 Code: C72.5, C72.7
   Highly likely impairment category: Physical
   Commonly associated impairment categories: Neurological, sensory

2. Spinal cord injury (complete)
   ICD 10 Code: T09.5
   Highly likely impairment category: Physical
   Commonly associated impairment categories: Neurological, sensory, psychosocial

3. Spinal cord injury (incomplete)
   ICD 10 Code: T09.7
   Highly likely impairment category: Physical
   Commonly associated impairment categories: Neurological, sensory, psychosocial

3.15 Other

1. Malignant neoplasm of brain
   ICD 10 Code: C71
   Highly likely impairment category: Neurological

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Commonly associated impairment categories: Cognitive, psychosocial

2. Metastatic cancer
   ICD 10 Code: C79.9
   Highly likely impairment category: Physical
   Commonly associated impairment category: Cognitive

3. Malignant neoplasm of blood or immune disease
   ICD 10 Code: C96
   Highly likely impairment category: Physical
   Commonly associated impairment category: Cognitive

4. Autoimmune disorders
   ICD 10 Code: D89.9
   Highly likely impairment category: Physical
   Commonly associated impairment category: Cognitive

5. Obesity – mandatory TAPI
   ICD 10 Code: E66
   Highly likely impairment category: Physical
   Commonly associated impairment category: Psychosocial

6. Classical phenylketonuria
   ICD 10 Code: E70.0
   Highly likely impairment category: Cognitive
   Commonly associated impairment category: Psychosocial

7. Disorders of pyruvate metabolism and gluconeogenesis
   ICD 10 Code: E74.4
   Highly likely impairment category: Intellectual
   Commonly associated impairment categories: Neurological, physical

8. Other metabolic disorders
   ICD 10 Code: E88
   Highly likely impairment category: Intellectual
   Commonly associated impairment categories: Neurological, physical

9. Dementia – rapidly progressing
   ICD 10 Code: F03.9
   Highly likely impairment category: Cognitive
   Commonly associated impairment category: Not applicable

10. Functional neurological disorder (FND) – mandatory TAPI
    ICD 10 Code: F44.4
    Highly likely impairment category: Neurological
    Commonly associated impairment categories: Cognitive, sensory, physical

11. Other language disorder
    ICD 10 Code: F80
    Highly likely impairment category: Cognitive
    Commonly associated impairment category: Not applicable

12. Peripheral neuropathy – does NOT require TAPI
    ICD 10 Code: F90.0

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Highly likely impairment category: Neurological
Commonly associated impairment categories: Sensory, physical

13. Oppositional defiant disorder (ODD)
    ICD 10 Code: F91.3
    Highly likely impairment category: Cognitive
    Commonly associated impairment category: Psychosocial

14. Other hereditary ataxias
    ICD 10 Code: G11.8
    Highly likely impairment category: Neurological
    Commonly associated impairment categories: Cognitive, sensory, physical

15. Dementia – early onset
    ICD 10 Code: G30.0
    Highly likely impairment category: Cognitive
    Commonly associated impairment category: Not applicable

16. Plegia
    ICD 10 Code: G83.1
    Highly likely impairment category: Physical
    Commonly associated impairment category: Neurological

17. Chronic pain – mandatory TAPI
    ICD 10 Code: G89.4
    Highly likely impairment category: Physical
    Commonly associated impairment categories: Sensory, psychosocial

18. Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) – mandatory TAPI
    ICD 10 Code: I49.8
    Highly likely impairment category: Neurological
    Commonly associated impairment category: Physical

19. Lymphoedema – mandatory TAPI
    ICD 10 Code: I89.0
    Highly likely impairment category: Physical
    Commonly associated impairment category: Not applicable

20. Chronic lung disease
    ICD 10 Code: J44.9
    Highly likely impairment category: Physical
    Commonly associated impairment category: Not applicable

21. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) – mandatory TAPI
    ICD 10 Code: J44.9A
    Highly likely impairment category: Physical
    Commonly associated impairment category: Not applicable

22. Osteoarthritis – mandatory TAPI
    ICD 10 Code: M19.9
    Highly likely impairment category: Physical
    Commonly associated impairment category: Not applicable

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

23. Systemic lupus erythematosus
    ICD 10 Code: M32
    Highly likely impairment category: Physical
    Commonly associated impairment category: Not applicable

24. Ankylosing spondylitis
    ICD 10 Code: M45
    Highly likely impairment category: Physical
    Commonly associated impairment category: Not applicable

25. Fibromyalgia
    ICD 10 Code: M79.7
    Highly likely impairment category: Physical
    Commonly associated impairment category: Sensory

26. Renal failure
    ICD 10 Code: N18
    Highly likely impairment category: Physical
    Commonly associated impairment category: Not applicable

27. Ehlers Danlos – does NOT require TAPI
    ICD 10 Code: Q79.6
    Highly likely impairment category: Physical
    Commonly associated impairment category: Not applicable

28. Dyslexia
    ICD 10 Code: R48
    Highly likely impairment category: Cognitive
    Commonly associated impairment category: Psychosocial

29. Childhood apraxia of speech
    ICD 10 Code: R48.2
    Highly likely impairment category: Neurological
    Commonly associated impairment category: Cognitive

30. Short stature
    ICD 10 Code: R62.5
    Highly likely impairment category: Physical
    Commonly associated impairment category: Not applicable

31. Amputation – single limb or upper/lower limb
    ICD 10 Code: Z89
    Highly likely impairment category: Physical
    Commonly associated impairment categories: Cognitive, sensory, psychosocial

32. Amputation – multiple
    ICD 10 Code: Z89.1
    Highly likely impairment category: Physical
    Commonly associated impairment categories: Cognitive, sensory, psychosocial

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