If you're assisting a family member or friend with an NDIS application, a carer support letter may help the assessment process.
The NDIA may or may not request a support letter from the applicant's primary carer.
Even if it's not requested, providing a written letter which explains the applicant's goals and daily support needs – as well as the impact the caring role has on you – can help with the assessment.
In this guide, we explain how to write an NDIS support letter, what information to include and where to get help if you need.
What is an NDIS support letter?
An NDIS support letter is a document written by a support worker or carer to support a person's NDIS application and provide further evidence.
A support letter should demonstrate the everyday difficulties the applicant faces and explain how much support and care they need.
If appropriate, the letter might also include information about the impact the caring role has on a carer.
When is a support letter needed?
The second part of the NDIS access request form should be filled out by a treating health professional such as a GP, occupational therapist or psychologist.
The NDIA may request additional support letters from medical professionals, support workers or carers as part of the applicant's supporting evidence.
Even if the NDIA does not request additional support letters, providing them can make the application stronger and help in the NDIA's decision-making process.
What do you write in a support letter?
An NDIS support letter should demonstrate the impact a person's condition or disability has on their day to day life and what level of support they need.
Your written letter should explain:
- Your role and how long you've supported the applicant
- What level and types of support you provide
- How often you provide support and how many hours a week
- What other informal supports the applicant has in their life such as family members, friends, carers or services
- How the applicant's health condition or disability impacts their day to day life across a number of categories (explained more below)
How to write an NDIS support letter
The NDIA uses six categories of daily life in the assessment process. In your support letter, you should address all of the relevant categories and use examples where possible.
A common way to structure an NDIS support letter is to go through each of the categories, explaining the functional impact in each category for the applicant.
The categories are:
- Mobility/motor skills
- Communication
- Social interaction
- Learning
- Self-care
- Self-management
To understand the different categories better, speak with an NDIS Local Area Coordinator such as APM.
How do you write a carer impact statement?
A carer statement (also called an impact statement) explains the impact caring for the applicant has on the carer or the applicant's family.
It should be written by a person who provides unpaid care or informal care for the NDIS applicant.
You can include an impact statement as part of your NDIS support letter or submit it as a separate piece of evidence.
A carer statement may include information about:
- The mental, physical and emotional impact the caring role has on you and the applicant's family
- Whether you can keep caring for the applicant in the same way in the future
- What extra support and funding will mean for you
- Any other information that might help the NDIS assessment
What not to include in your support letter
It is not necessary to include information about:
- Other health conditions which don't meet the disability criteria
- Symptom management strategies
- Suggestions for support needs in an NDIS plan
- Details about trauma history or abuse
NDIS letter of support examples
Reading sample letters can give you an idea of how to write an NDIS support letter yourself.
The exact evidence and examples you use will be different, but a template can help you feel more confident about how much information to provide and how to structure the letter.
Here are some sample letters to get started with:
- Carer Statement by Carers Australia
- Primary Carer's Statement by Reimagine Today
- Mental Health Carer's Statement by Mental Health Carers NSW
- Carer's Checklist by Carers Australia
Where to get support
Whether you are completing an NDIS access request form for yourself or assisting someone else in their application, it can be challenging to navigate the NDIS on your own.
If you need more information about how to write an NDIS support letter, these services may help:
- Call an NDIS Local Area Coordinator such as APM
- Visit the Carer Gateway website
Read our other articles about applying for the NDIS:
- What is the NDIS?
- How to access the NDIS
- NDIS eligibility: everything you need to know
- How children under 7 can access the NDIS
APM is here to help.
Local Area Coordinators like APM are here to help, even if you're not eligible for the NDIS. We can connect you with supports and services in your local area which are right for you, including finding jobs for people with an injury, illness or disability.
Contact us using the details below:
- To speak to us about the NDIS, call us on 1800 276 522
- For non-NDIS related enquiries, call us on 1800 276 276