DOCUMENT 15
Check eligibility – DIS – significant functional impact
SGP KP Publishing
Exported on 2026-02-16 03:34:00
Table of Contents
- Recent updates …………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 4
- Before you start …………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 5
- Evidence of significant functional impact ………………………………………………………………. 6 3.1 Review evidence of the impairment that substantially reduces functional capacity ……….. 6
- Next steps …………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 8
This article provides guidance for all NDIA staff and partners to review evidence of the impairment that substantially reduces functional capacity.
1 Recent updates
7 July 2025 Article Make an access decision - pre-legislation changes is archived. Article Make an access decision - post legislation changes has been renamed to Make an access decision. Use article Make an access decision Before you start and in Next steps.
2 Before you start
You have:
- read Our Guideline – Applying to the NDIS (external) including the section Does your impairment substantially reduce your functional capacity?
- read articles Understand disability requirements, What evidence of disability is required and Make an access decision.
3 Evidence of significant functional impact
3.1 Review evidence of the impairment that substantially reduces functional capacity
We need to learn about the person’s impairment before we can make a decision about their eligibility.
To do this you need to check their application and evidence in PACE.
You need evidence the person’s impairment substantially reduces their functional capacity in one or more of the following areas:
- communication
- social interaction
- learning
- mobility
- self-care
- self-management (if older than 6).
A person’s needs might vary from time to time. This means they may go up and down each day or each month. A good example of this can be progressive multiple sclerosis. We consider a person’s ability over time and take into account how their ability fluctuates.
When a person’s impairment substantially reduces their functional capacity, they usually need disability-specific supports to join in or do these tasks and activities.
These disability-specific supports include:
- support from other people, such as physical assistance, guidance, supervision or prompting.
- assistive technology, equipment or home modifications prescribed by the person’s doctor, allied health professional or other medical professional.
To decide if a person is eligible, you need to determine their capacity and where they need more help. To decide if a support is reasonable and necessary, you need to consider what information you have available to identify if the person meets the NDIS funding criteria (external).
If a person has more than one permanent impairment, you will need to consider them together to see if their functional capacity is reduced substantially.
You need to consider:
- the person’s involvement in different areas of life, like at home, school, work and in the community
- how they carry out tasks and activities
- any other factors impacting their everyday life.
The disability requirements are just one of the eligibility requirements. To be eligible for the NDIS, the applicant must also meet the age and residence requirements. Go to article Check eligibility – Age and residence requirements.
4 Next steps
If you are an access delegate:
- to determine eligibility continue to follow guidance in article Make an access decision.
- to check the timeframes to make a decision follow guidance in article Check decision – Legislative timeframes.