NDIS Psychosocial Disability Pathway

Last updated May 10, 2022

This user decision support tool has been developed to assist a GP to efficiently support a patient living with a psychosocial disability through the 3 core components of the NDIS application process.

Eligibility questions (4)
Access Request process
Completion of the Evidence of Psychosocial Disability form

Eligibility

E1: Is the patient an Australian citizen or permanent resident, or hold a protected special category visa?

E2: Is the patient aged between 7 and 65 years?

E2a: Will the participant be less than 65 at time of application, evidence, and application complete and submitted prior to 65th birthday.

E3: Does the the mental health condition causes permanent or likely-to-be permanent

E4: Does the mental health condition have a significant impact on their day-to-day life and affect the person's capacity for social or economic participation in the community?

Mental Health Access Snapshot Series - Snapshot 4

Access request process

ARF1: Has the patient completed an access request with the NDIA already (has Access Request Form (ARF) with them or has completed a Verbal Access Request (VAR) prior to appointment)?

ARF2: Does the patient have available to complete an access request with NDIA? (ARF form or a VAR call) outside of the GP consultation?

ARF3: Will the GP provide support to complete the access request process at the appointment today?

Evidence of Psychosocial Disability Form

EoPD1: Filling in the EoPD form - Section A is to be completed by the applicant's psychiatrist, GP, or the most appropriate clinician.

Will the GP be filling in the EoPD form Section A?

EoPD2: Is the patient engaged with a psychiatrist or psychologist who can complete Section A of the EoPD?

EoPD3: Filling in the EoPD form - Section B is to be completed by the applicant's support worker or .

Will the GP be filling in the EoPD form Section B?

EoPD4: Is the patient engaged with an (formal or informal) who can complete Section B of the EoPD?

outcome-lac-referral

Refer to LAC program to link with alternative supports, due to not being eligible to apply for the NDIS.

outcome-aged-appropriate-support

For < 7 - ECEI:

For > 65 - Aged Care:

outcome-aged-application-referal

Refer to aged care support.

For > 65 - Aged Care:

outcome-book-next-gp-appointment

GP to book next appointment to complete.

GP to print both forms and give to the the patient and/or carer to return with Section 1 completed of ARF, at next appointment.

outcome-appointment-long-consult

Make an appointment for patient to return for a long consult to allow time to complete the forms with the patient.

outcome-appointment-var-download

GP to support patient during consultation to either:

Make a call to NDIS with the patient present to complete a Verbal Access Request (VAR) by calling 1800 800 11 or
Print or fill in Section 1 of ARF writable PDF with patient present.

An Evidence of Psychosocial Disability Form is also required to be completed. Section 2 of the ARF is not required to be filled in by the GP for a where the EoPD Form is completed.

Proceed to Evidence of Psychosocial Disability Form component of this decision support tool.

Further information for the GP on the NDIS application process for can be found on the TSP for all website.

outcome-gp-fill-during-consult-a

GP to fill out Section A during consult.

outcome-send-communication-to-provider-a

a) Send communication to clinician with request to see patient to complete Section A of the EoPD.

b) Support patient to arrange an appointment to see clinician.

outcome-section-2-blank

If patient has an ARF form with them to be completed by the GP - GP to fill in Section 1.

GP to leave Section 2 blank and proceed to complete Evidence of Psychosocial Disability Form instead of filling in Section 2.

outcome-make-support-referral-a

GP to complete Section A of EoPD for patient where treatment history is known or

Referral out for support to connect with psychosocial support for access to support to engage with clinicians.

See Psychosocial support services for local referral options.

outcome-gp-fill-during-consult-b

GP to fill out Section B of EoPD form during consult.

If Access Request is complete and EoPD form is complete GP/patient/carer may add any evidence held or on file and send forms to the NDIS for assessment of application.

Supporting evidence FAQ.

If assistance is required to gather further evidence make referral out - See Psychosocial support services for local referral options.

outcome-make-support-referral-b

Referral out for support to connect with psychosocial support for access to support to engage with 'appropriate person' to complete Section B.

See Psychosocial support services for local referral options Mental Health Services - Primary Health Network.

outcome-send-communication-to-provider-b

a) Send communication to with request to see patient to complete Section B of the EoPD.

b) Support patient to arrange an appointment to see . This may be with an existing case manager or support worker from a community-based mental health or psychosocial support service who has insight into the functional impact on daily life that the patient experiences because of the psychosocial disability.

Reduced functionality

An inability to effectively participate in or complete a task (much more than a person experiencing difficulty with task completion). This is considered in an age-appropriate context. The reduction must be within one or more of the six legislative (NDIS Act 2013, S24(1)) domains; social interaction, communication, learning, mobility, self-care, and/or self-management. For a reduction to be considered substantial within a domain there must be an inability to effectively function within the whole or majority of the domain, not just a singular activity.

Psychosocial disability

Psychosocial disability - the term used to describe a disability arising from a mental health condition or conditions. Not everyone who has a mental health condition will have a disability, but for those who do, it can be severe, and longstanding and it can have a significant impact on someone's life and potential recovery. Psychosocial disability is the term preferred by people living with mental health issues, families, and carers.

Impairment - any loss or abnormality of psychological, physiological, or anatomical structure or function. Impairment is the loss or damage to mental function resulting from the condition or diagnosis of symptoms.

Likely permanence of impairment - a permanent impairment is an impairment for which there is no known, available, or appropriate evidence-based treatment or intervention that may remedy the impairment. While an individual's mental health condition may be episodic, the impairment/s because of the mental health condition may still be considered permanent.

PB Psychosocial disability glossary

Informal supports

Informal supports, these include the family, carer and community support that is available to a person (unpaid).

Appropriate person

a) an 'appropriate person' has insight into and awareness of the impact to daily function that the psychosocial disability has on the patient's life. If the GP has known the patient and carer for a lengthy period of time and has gained this insight, then the GP may fill in Section B.

b) This 'appropriate person' may also be a case worker, support worker, or carer and does not need to be a clinician.

NDIS Psychosocial Disability Pathway

Reduced functionality

Psychosocial disability

Informal supports

Appropriate person

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