NDIS Support Mental Illness & Psychosocial Disability
                     NDIS SUPPORT: MENTAL 
ILLNESS & PSYCHOSOCIAL 
DISABILITY
WHAT IS A 
PSYCHOSOCIAL 
DISABILITY?
In the context of the NDIS, the term 
‘psychosocial disability’ refers to a 
mental illness that severely impacts 
your ability to live your life.
THE IMPACT OF A PSYC
HOSOCIAL DISABILITY
As of 2018, 4.4 million Australians were 
living with a disability. Of these, 1.13 
million reported having a psychosocial 
disability – at the time, that was 4.6% 
of the Australian population.
 Importantly, 38.8% of Australians with 
a psychosocial disability reported 
experiencing a profound limitation in 
some aspect of their life.
Here’s a breakdown of the limitations 
faced by Australians living with a 
psychosocial disability, sorted from 
most to least common:
• Cognitive and emotional tasks – 
85.5% (of people)
• Mobility – 54.9%
• Health care – 51.5%
• Self-care – 40.7%
• Property maintenance – 40.0%
• Private transport – 39.1%
• Household chores – 31.1%
• Reading or writing – 26.0%
• Meal preparation – 22.8%
• Oral communication – 21.3%
EXAMPLES OF MENTAL 
ILLNESSES THAT CAN 
LEAD TO A 
PSYCHOSOCIAL 
DISABILITY
• Mood disorders, such as:
• Dysthymia (also known as persistent depressive 
disorder)
• Major depression (also known as clinical depression)
• Bipolar I
• Bipolar II
• Anxiety disorders, for example:
• Post traumatic stress disorder
• Agoraphobia
• Social anxiety disorder (also known as social phobia)
APPLYING FOR THE 
NDIS WITH A 
PSYCHOSOCIAL 
DISABILITY
After checking that you are eligible for the 
NDIS, the first step when applying is to 
speak with your GP. They can support your 
application by providing documentation such 
as medical records and notes from your 
appointments. If further assessment or 
evidence is required, your GP may refer you 
to other allied health professionals (such as 
a psychologist or an occupational therapist).
THE MAKING OF AN 
NDIS PLAN FOR 
PSYCHOSOCIAL 
DISABILITY
When building an NDIS plan, you are 
supported to set goals for yourself; 
these goals determine the supports and 
funding you’ll receive. For example, if 
your psychosocial disability makes it 
hard for you to clean your home, you’d 
likely have a goal within your NDIS plan 
that says something like this: I want 
support to maintain a clean home 
environment.
MAINSTREAM AND CRIS
IS SUPPORTS FOR MEN
TAL ILLNESS AND PSYC
HOSOCIAL DISABILITY
The NDIS is not a one-size-fits-all 
solution, and you will likely still need to 
access other supports if you are living 
with a mental illness that has become a 
psychosocial disability.