Getting a letter that says your NDIS access request was refused, or that your plan doesn't include a support you asked for, is a genuinely stressful moment. It can feel final. It isn't. Every NDIS decision that affects you comes with a right to ask the NDIA to look at it again — and if that still doesn't resolve it, a right to take it to an independent tribunal. This guide walks through exactly what to do, in order, so you're not guessing at a stressful time.
Before you do anything else, sit down with the decision letter itself. By law, an NDIA decision letter must set out the reasons for the decision — the specific rule or evidence the decision was based on. This is the single most important document you have, because it tells you exactly what needs to change for a review to succeed.
If anything in the letter is unclear, you can call the NDIA on 1800 800 110 and ask them to explain the decision before you decide how to respond.
The first formal step is called a review of a decision (often referred to as an internal review). It is free, and any participant — or someone assisting them, such as family, a nominee, a Local Area Coordinator or your NDIA contact — can request one on the participant's behalf.
According to the NDIS, you generally have 3 months from the day you receive the decision to ask for a review. You can request it by:
When you request the review, be specific: state which decision you're asking about, what outcome you were expecting, and why. If the NDIA asks you for further information or evidence, you're typically given a window (around 28 days) to provide it — so don't leave gathering documents until the last minute.
A different NDIA staff member — someone who wasn't involved in the original decision — is assigned to look at your case again. They reassess the facts and evidence against the relevant law and NDIS rules, and can confirm the original decision, vary it, or set it aside and substitute a new one.
The NDIA states it aims to complete internal reviews within about 60 days, though this can vary depending on the complexity of the case and how quickly requested information is provided. You'll receive a new written decision, again with reasons, once it's finished.
"A declined request is not the end of the process — it's the start of one. The system is built with a review step precisely because first decisions don't always get it right."
If the internal review doesn't change the outcome, or doesn't go far enough, you can ask for an external review — this is handled outside the NDIA altogether, by the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART). The ART is the independent Commonwealth body that reviews decisions made by government agencies including the NDIA; it replaced the former Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) on 14 October 2024. If you see older material referring to the "AAT," that name is now out of date for NDIS matters.
Based on current NDIS guidance, you generally need to apply for an external review within 28 days of receiving the internal review decision, although the tribunal has discretion to allow more time in some circumstances. The ART is separate from the NDIA and looks at the case fresh, rather than simply checking the NDIA's own paperwork.
Because timeframes and tribunal processes are exactly the kind of detail that can change, always confirm the current deadline and process directly with the NDIA or the tribunal before acting — this page is a starting point, not a substitute for that check.
You do not have to do this alone, and you do not have to pay for help to request a review.
Note that NDIS plan funding itself generally cannot be used to pay a support coordinator, lawyer, or provider to represent you at the tribunal — this is a distinct, free avenue of support, not something that comes out of your existing plan.
Before you request a review, gather your evidence. Reviews are far more likely to succeed with fresh, specific supporting information rather than simply restating disagreement. Useful evidence includes: a letter from your GP, specialist, or allied health professional describing your condition and how it affects daily life; reports from occupational therapists, physiotherapists, or psychologists; diaries or notes describing what a typical difficult day looks like; and quotes or assessments for the specific support you're requesting. Ask your treating professionals early — these letters take time to arrange.
Last reviewed: August 2026. Review and appeal processes, timeframes, and the responsible tribunal can change, and this is not legal advice. Confirm current details directly with the NDIA on 1800 800 110 or the Administrative Review Tribunal before acting, and consider seeking formal legal or advocacy support for your specific situation.
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