National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) Early Childhood Approach

Who:

Children can be referred to the NDIS Early Childhood Approach if they are:

• younger than 6 with developmental concerns or a developmental delay ‍

OR

• younger than 9 with a disability

Having concerns for a child’s development is enough to trigger a referral. A child does not need to have a formal diagnosis to access this support.

It is critical that children with no formal diagnosis are referred before their sixth birthday as they will not meet the NDIS developmental delay criteria beyond six years of age.

For children over the age of nine, referrals can be made directly to the NDIS at any time. See more information on the application process for children over nine years here.

For children with a developmental delay or disability who are accessing an early childhood education and care (ECEC) service, it is important to also consider the Inclusion Support Program and Kindergarten Inclusion Support Program.

What you can get

The parent/carer will be connected with an Early Childhood (EC) coordinator who will be the key contact for everyone involved.

The EC coordinator will guide the conversation with the parent/carer, seek information about the child’s development and link the child to appropriate supports.

Support could include:

• connection to community and mainstream services (such as supported playgroups and kinder) and,

• short-term capacity building or,

• an application to the NDIS.

How to access

• If you are working with a child under seven years and have concerns about their development, including a formal diagnosis, make a referral to the NDIS Early Childhood Partner in your community.

• Refer as soon as there are developmental concerns for any child under seven years. You do not need to wait for a formal diagnosis or paediatrician appointment.

• Anyone can refer, including case workers, educators, maternal and child health nurses or family members themselves. No support from a medical professional is required to make a referral.

• It is critical that children with no formal diagnosis are referred before their sixth birthday as they will not meet the NDIS developmental delay criteria beyond six years of age. Contact the EC partner at referral for children close to their sixth birthday to advise them that the child is nearing this critical milestone so that a meeting can be arranged with the parent/carer.  

There are many steps involved with accessing the NDIS Early Childhood Approach so start the conversation with the family early and refer as soon as any developmental concerns are observed.

Resources

• The NDIS age range changed in July 2023. Information about the change can be found here.
• Find the local Early Childhood Partner in your community.

• Specialist Disability Practitioners are now available to support child and family service professionals in their work linking children and parents with disabilities to supports, including the NDIS. Speak to your team leader about accessing support from the Specialist Disability Practitioners in your area.

• The Centre for Excellence hosts a FREE monthly training session for professionals on “Working with the NDIS to support families at risk”. This training for professionals is available in two parts and offers practical tips on how to navigate through the scheme with families. Register here.

• The Centre’s NDIS Resource Hub provides information on support and advocacy groups for parents and carers.

• The Association for Children with a Disability provides support for parents/carers of a child with a disability, including a free support line that can also be accessed by case workers needing support with NDIS applications for a family. Contact 03 9880 7000 or 1800 654 013  (regional).

For more information on the NDIS early childhood approach visit the NDIS website.