If you or someone you care about has ADHD, you're probably wondering whether it's covered by the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). The short answer is that it's complicated, but we're here to walk you through it.
ADHD is a common neuro-developmental condition, affecting approximately 1 in 20 Australians, and often sticks around from childhood into adulthood.
Everyone experiences it differently, and many people also deal with anxiety, depression, learning differences, or autism alongside their ADHD. These co-occurring conditions can make daily life significantly harder.
There's been a lot of discussion about how the NDIS can better support people with ADHD. In December 2023, a major review of the NDIS recommended some important changes, including moving away from diagnosis-based eligibility toward assessing what people actually need help with in their daily lives.
This guide covers what you need to know about ADHD and the NDIS, including eligibility, how to apply, and what support is out there.
What is ADHD?
ADHD stands for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. It's a neuro-developmental condition that affects both kids and adults, and it's much more than just being distracted or having lots of energy.
ADHD is a spectrum disorder, which means symptoms look different for everyone. Some people struggle more with attention, others with impulse control or hyperactivity. No two people experience it the same way.
ADHD also brings strengths, such as creativity, high energy, and innovative thinking. Research indicates that people with ADHD often excel in imagination and divergent thinking.
While ADHD is a common condition, it can sometimes go undiagnosed or misunderstood. That's why awareness matters, so people with ADHD can receive the support they need to thrive.
How the NDIS views ADHD
ADHD does not guarantee automatic NDIS eligibility.
The NDIS is designed to support people with permanent and significant disabilities that substantially impact their ability to do everyday things. While ADHD is recognised as a lifelong neuro-developmental condition, the NDIS looks at how it impacts your day-to-day functioning.
They assess eligibility based on how your condition affects your ability to work, socialise, take care of yourself, and participate in your community. It's less about the diagnosis itself and more about what support you need to live independently.
Eligibility is assessed individually. Even with a diagnosis, you need to show how your condition impacts your daily life.
That said, ADHD often comes with other conditions like autism, anxiety, dyslexia, or intellectual disability. If you have co-occurring conditions, these may strengthen your case for NDIS eligibility.
Psychosocial disability and ADHD
Psychosocial disability is when a long-term mental health condition interacts with environmental barriers to affect someone's daily functioning.
ADHD can contribute to this, particularly when it impacts social interactions and emotional regulation.
But not everyone with a mental health condition has a psychosocial disability. It depends on the individual impact, which in turn determines whether someone is potentially eligible for the NDIS.
How does NDIS eligibility work?
NDIS eligibility is determined through a comprehensive assessment process. The NDIS looks at several factors when determining your eligibility for funding, and the extent to which your disability influences your capacity and day-to-day life.
Let’s break these down to give you a clear idea of the main points:
- Age requirement: To be eligible for the NDIS, you must be under the age of 65 when you apply. The NDIS primarily supports people during their working years. If you're already receiving NDIS support and turn 65, you can choose to stay on NDIS funding or switch to Aged Care support. If you're outside the age range and not currently on the NDIS, there are other government support schemes available.
- Residence requirement: You must be an Australian citizen, hold a permanent visa, or have a Protected Special Category Visa to be eligible for the NDIS.
- Disability requirement: The NDIS supports people with permanent and significant disabilities that affect everyday functioning. This includes intellectual, cognitive, neurological, sensory, or physical disabilities. The key is that it substantially impacts what you can do.
- Early intervention: The NDIS Early Childhood Approach aims to provide early support children with disabilities or developmental delays to improve long-term outcomes.
- Functional impact: The NDIS considers how your disability impacts your ability to perform daily activities, participate in community life, and achieve your goals. They look at what support you need to overcome these limitations.
- Accessing the NDIS: You apply through the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA), providing information about your disability, how it impacts you, and what support you need. They may request additional documentation or assessments.
If you're unsure about eligibility or need help applying, contact the NDIA or a Local Area Coordinator (LAC). They can guide you through the process based on your specific situation.
You can also check our NDIS eligibility checklist for a step-by-step guide on whether you meet the eligibility requirements or not.
Functional impairment vs diagnosis
When the NDIS assesses your eligibility, they're less focused on the diagnosis itself and more on how your condition impacts your everyday life.
This means they want to understand the challenges you face in areas like communication, social interaction, learning, mobility, self-care, and self-management.
Think of it as telling your story: how does ADHD, and potentially any co-occurring conditions, affect your ability to participate fully in your community, work, or social life?
NDIS Access Lists
You might have heard about NDIS "access lists" (like “List A” and “List B”). These are guides that help the NDIS determine eligibility for certain conditions.
ADHD is not on these lists. However, this doesn't automatically exclude people with ADHD from NDIS support. The key is to demonstrate how your conditions impact your functional capacity, regardless of whether they're on a list.
Applying for NDIS funding with ADHD and co-occurring conditions
Only 1-in-3 Australians have ADHD as their only diagnosis. If you believe your ADHD and any co-occurring conditions significantly impact your daily life, here's how to approach the NDIS application process:
1. Identify co-occurring conditions
ADHD commonly co-occurs with autism, anxiety, intellectual disability, and other conditions. See your GP or a specialist to confirm any diagnoses. Having a diagnosed co-occurring condition that's on the NDIS list of eligible conditions will significantly improve your chances of getting access.
2. Gather comprehensive evidence
- Medical reports from your doctors and specialists detailing your diagnoses and their impact
- Functional impact statements describing how your conditions affect work, daily activities, and social life
- Therapy and intervention records showing what you've tried and the outcomes
Written confirmation from a doctor that other treatment options have been exhausted - Documentation of how your conditions impact communication, social interaction, learning, mobility, self-care, and self-management
If your ADHD or co-occurring conditions contribute to psychosocial disability, include evidence of this (you may need to complete the "Evidence of psychosocial disability form").
3. Seek support
Consider contacting a Local Area Coordinator (LAC) or an NDIS advocate for guidance through the application process.
4. Submit an access request form
This form officially starts the NDIS application process.
Available supports
There are various support options whether you're pursuing NDIS funding, mainstream services, or community resources.
NDIS-funded supports (if eligible):
If your application succeeds, you may get funding for therapy, assistive technology, skill development, and support workers tailored to your needs.
Mainstream and alternative resources:
The NDIS supplements mainstream services rather than replacing them. Look into mental health care plans, community groups, and educational support.
Organisations like ADHD Australia and the ADHD Foundation offer valuable information and support.
Exploring all available options helps you build a comprehensive support network that works for you.
How to access ADHD support with Like Family
At Like Family, we help people with disability increase their independence and build lasting relationships.
We can help with various ADHD-friendly activities, including community access, meal preparation, transportation, and a buddy for social events. You can access our disability support services even if you don’t have NDIS funding.
If you or a loved one have ADHD and are interested in hiring a disability support worker, visit our website or contact our friendly team at hello@likefamily.com.au today!