NDIS Impairment Notices: What Parents Need to Know in 2025

Understanding the NDIS Impairment Notice:

Starting 1 January 2025, the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) introduced a new document called the Notice of Impairments for:

• New participants: Issued upon approval of their NDIS access request.

• Existing participants: To be provided during their transition to new framework plans (date to be confirmed).

This notice formally outlines the categories of impairments recognized by the NDIS in determining a participant’s eligibility under the disability or early intervention requirements.

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Purpose of the Notice of Impairments

The introduction of the Notice of Impairments aims to enhance transparency and consistency in the NDIS planning process. It provides participants with clear information about:

• The specific categories of impairments acknowledged by the NDIS.

• The basis on which their eligibility was determined.

• How their impairments relate to the supports funded in their NDIS plan.

Reference: NDIS Summary of Legislation Changes

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Categories of Impairments

The NDIS classifies impairments into the following categories:

1. Intellectual: Difficulties with understanding, problem-solving, and learning.

2. Cognitive: Challenges with memory, attention, and decision-making.

3. Neurological: Conditions affecting the nervous system, such as epilepsy or multiple sclerosis.

4. Sensory: Impairments related to vision or hearing.

5. Physical: Limitations in mobility or physical functioning.

6. Psychosocial: Disabilities arising from mental health conditions.

For children under 6 with developmental delay, the notice will state “developmental delay” without specifying categories.

Reference: NDIS Guidelines - What happens after we decide?

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Implications for Your Child’s NDIS Plan

The Notice of Impairments plays a crucial role in shaping your child’s NDIS plan:

• Support Alignment: Only supports related to the impairments listed in the notice will be considered “reasonable and necessary” and thus eligible for funding.

• Plan Development: The notice informs the planning process, ensuring that funded supports directly address the participant’s recognized impairments.

It’s important to note that the notice does not affect the participant’s eligibility status but provides clarity on the basis of their eligibility.

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What If You Disagree with the Notice?

If you believe the Notice of Impairments does not accurately reflect your child’s impairments:

1. Request a Variation: You can apply to vary the notice by providing new evidence that supports the inclusion or removal of specific impairment categories.

2. Review Process: If dissatisfied with the outcome, you have the right to request a review of the decision.

Reference: NDIS Guidelines - What happens after we decide?

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This blog post is based on information from the NDIS as of April 2025. For the most current information, please refer to the official NDIS website.

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