Can NDIS fund mental health support services?
Mental health is just as important as physical health. For people living with mental health challenges, the right support can make everyday life easier, more stable, and more hopeful.
If you’ve ever wondered whether the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) can help fund mental health support services, the answer is yes — in many cases, it can.
Understanding Mental Health and the NDIS
The NDIS provides funding for Australians living with a permanent and significant disability that affects their everyday life. When a mental health condition has a lasting impact on your ability to work, study, or take care of yourself, it’s called a psychosocial disability. This means your mental health condition affects:
- How you manage daily activities
- How you interact with others
- How you handle emotions or decision-making
- Your ability to live independently
Not everyone with a mental health diagnosis will qualify for the NDIS — but those who have ongoing and serious impacts from their condition may be eligible for support.
What Is a Psychosocial Disability?
A psychosocial disability refers to the difficulties people experience in their daily life because of a mental health condition. Common examples include:
- Depression (when it’s severe and long-term)
- Bipolar disorder
- Schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder
- Severe anxiety disorders
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
The NDIS doesn’t fund treatment for mental illness (like medication or hospital stays), but it does fund the supports that help you live better, function independently, and participate in your community.
Can You Access the NDIS for Mental Health?
You may be eligible for NDIS funding if:
- You are under 65 years old
- You live in Australia and meet the residency requirements
- You have a permanent and significant mental health condition that affects your daily life
- You need support to do things like manage personal care, organise daily tasks, or participate socially
You’ll also need evidence from a health professional (like a psychologist, psychiatrist, or GP) to show how your condition impacts your everyday life.
What Mental Health Supports Can the NDIS Fund?
The NDIS can fund a wide range of supports to help you build stability, confidence, and independence. Here are some of the most common supports available 👇
- Support Workers: Help manage daily routines, personal care, household tasks, attend appointments, provide companionship.
- Psychosocial Recovery Coaching: Help understand mental health, build coping skills, set goals, connect with services.
- Assistance with Daily Living: Support household chores, cooking, maintaining routines, personal care, medication reminders.
- Social and Community Participation: Reconnect with community, learn new skills, join social groups, build friendships.
- Skill Development and Capacity Building: Manage money, organise schedules, travel independently, communicate effectively, build healthy habits.
- Supported Independent Living (SIL): Live in supported accommodation with 24/7 or scheduled help.
- Assistive Technology and Tools: Tablets, reminders, sensory aids, sleep or focus devices.
What the NDIS Does Not Fund
The NDIS focuses on disability support — not medical treatment. It won’t cover:
- Hospital stays or psychiatric treatment
- Medications or prescriptions
- General mental health counselling (that’s usually covered by Medicare)
- Crisis mental health services
The NDIS works alongside the health system, supporting your day-to-day life while doctors and therapists manage treatments.
How to Apply for NDIS Mental Health Support
- Check Your Eligibility: Visit the official NDIS website or talk to your GP about access requirements.
- Collect Evidence: Get medical reports and letters showing how your condition affects your life.
- Submit an Access Request: Call 1800 800 110 or visit ndis.gov.au.
- Planning Meeting: Meet with an NDIS planner or Local Area Coordinator to discuss supports.
- Create and Start Your Plan: Use your funding through providers like U Matter Care.
How U Matter Care Can Help
At U Matter Care, we understand every mental health journey is unique. We offer:
- Psychosocial recovery coaching
- Daily living and community support
- Personalised care plans
- Compassionate, trained support workers
- Guidance through the NDIS process
We build relationships that make recovery feel safe and achievable
because at U Matter Care, your mental health matters — and so do you. 💚
