Does the NDIS Cover ADHD?

Short answer: The NDIS doesn’t cover ADHD automatically. ADHD isn’t on either of the NDIS lists of conditions that are likely to qualify,¹ but people with ADHD can still become participants if they meet the disability requirements.² Eligibility depends on how a permanent impairment affects your daily life, not on the diagnosis itself.

How NDIS eligibility works

To meet the NDIS disability requirements, you need a permanent impairment that substantially reduces your functional capacity — your ability to do daily activities — in one or more of six areas: communicating, socialising, learning, moving around, looking after yourself, and managing your life.³

The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) says it focuses on your impairments and not on the cause of your impairments or your diagnosis. Its operational guideline includes two lists: List A, conditions that are likely to meet the disability requirements — such as intellectual disability diagnosed as moderate, severe or profound — and List B, conditions that are likely to result in a permanent impairment.¹

Where ADHD fits

ADHD does not appear on either list. When the Senate inquiry into ADHD asked about this, the NDIA said: “ADHD isn’t on any of those lists—that’s correct—but that doesn’t preclude anyone with ADHD testing access to the scheme.”²

In practice, few people qualify on ADHD alone. As at March 2023, 188 NDIS participants had ADHD recorded as their primary disability. The inquiry recommended that the NDIA improve the accessibility and quality of its information about ADHD eligibility.⁴

People who have ADHD alongside another condition — for example autism or an intellectual disability — may be eligible because of the other condition.

What evidence matters if you apply

If you apply, the NDIA decides on the evidence you provide about your impairment and its impact on your daily life.¹ Reports from your treating doctors and allied health professionals that describe what you can and can’t do day to day — across the six areas above — and what treatment you’ve tried will usually be more useful than a diagnosis letter on its own.

Other support for adults with ADHD

Disability discrimination law

ADHD is included in the Disability Discrimination Act 1992,² whose definition of disability includes a disorder that results in a person learning differently, and a disorder that affects a person’s thought processes, emotions or judgment.⁵ Employers must consider reasonable adjustments for a person with disability unless they would cause unjustifiable hardship,⁶⁷ and schools, TAFEs and universities have similar obligations under the Disability Standards for Education 2005.⁸ Read more in is ADHD a disability in Australia?

Disability Support Pension

The Disability Support Pension has strict medical rules. Your condition must be diagnosed, reasonably treated and stabilised and likely to persist for more than two years; you need an impairment rating of 20 points or more; your condition must stop you working at least 15 hours a week in the next two years; and you may need to complete a Program of Support.⁹ The impairment tables assess ADHD under Table 7, the table for brain function.¹⁰

Treatment and practical support

For most adults, day-to-day support for ADHD comes through diagnosis and treatment. The Australian ADHD Guideline recommends stimulant medicines as the first-line medication where symptoms cause significant impairment, and cognitive-behavioural interventions and ADHD coaching for adults.¹¹ See how to manage ADHD without medication and ADHD medication in Australia.

Frequently asked questions

Does the NDIS cover ADHD?

Not automatically. ADHD isn’t on the NDIS lists of conditions that are likely to meet the disability requirements, but people with ADHD can still become participants if they meet the requirements — a permanent impairment that substantially reduces their functional capacity.

Can you get NDIS funding for ADHD alone?

It’s possible but uncommon: in March 2023, 188 NDIS participants had ADHD recorded as their primary disability. Eligibility depends on evidence of a permanent impairment that substantially reduces functional capacity, not on the diagnosis.

Is ADHD a disability in Australia?

ADHD is covered by the definition of disability in the Disability Discrimination Act 1992, which gives protection from discrimination and a right to reasonable adjustments at work and in education. That is separate from NDIS eligibility.

What other support is there for adults with ADHD?

Depending on your circumstances: reasonable adjustments at work and in study under disability discrimination law, the Disability Support Pension if its strict medical and work-capacity rules are met, and treatment and support through your doctor.

Next steps

Read is ADHD a disability in Australia? and is ADHD a mental illness?, or start with the free ADHD self-assessment.

This article is general information only and is not medical, legal or financial advice. NDIS decisions are made by the NDIA, and Disability Support Pension decisions by Services Australia. ADHD GP is a private telehealth clinic staffed by AHPRA-registered Australian GPs.

Book your ADHD assessment

References

1. National Disability Insurance Scheme. Operational guideline — Applying to the NDIS (List A and List B conditions). 2026. www.ndis.gov.au — ADHD is not on List A or List B; decisions focus on impairments and functional impact rather than diagnosis.
2. Parliament of Australia — Senate Community Affairs References Committee. Assessment and support services for people with ADHD — Chapter 7: ADHD under the NDIS. 2023. www.aph.gov.au — ADHD does not appear on either NDIS condition list, but people with ADHD can become participants if they meet the disability requirements; 188 participants had ADHD as their primary disability in March 2023.
3. National Disability Insurance Scheme. What are the NDIS disability requirements?. 2026. www.ndis.gov.au — A permanent impairment must substantially reduce functional capacity in communicating, socialising, learning, moving around, self-care or managing life.
4. Parliament of Australia — Senate Community Affairs References Committee. Assessment and support services for people with ADHD — list of recommendations. 2023. www.aph.gov.au — Recommends reviewing the Medicare Benefits Schedule to improve access to ADHD assessment and improving NDIS information on ADHD eligibility.
5. Federal Register of Legislation. Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth). 1992. www.legislation.gov.au — Definition of disability includes conditions affecting thought processes, perception, emotions or judgement.
6. Australian Human Rights Commission. Disability discrimination — employers. 2026. humanrights.gov.au — Employers must consider reasonable adjustments for a person with disability unless they impose unjustifiable hardship.
7. JobAccess (Australian Government). Guidelines for reasonable adjustment. 2026. jobaccess.gov.au — If an adjustment could help an employee with disability, the law says the employer must make it, unless it causes unjustifiable hardship.
8. Federal Register of Legislation. Disability Standards for Education 2005. 2005. www.legislation.gov.au — Education providers must make reasonable adjustments for students with disability, using the Disability Discrimination Act definition.
9. Services Australia. General medical rules for Disability Support Pension. 2026. www.servicesaustralia.gov.au — DSP requires a condition likely to persist more than 2 years, diagnosed, treated and stabilised, an impairment rating of 20 points or more, and an inability to work 15 hours a week.
10. Federal Register of Legislation. Social Security (Tables for the Assessment of Work-related Impairment for Disability Support Pension) Determination 2023. 2023. www.legislation.gov.au — Table 7 (brain function) is used for neurological or cognitive conditions and names ADHD among the conditions assessed under it; intellectual function is assessed separately under Table 9.
11. Australian ADHD Professionals Association. Australian ADHD Guideline — summary of recommendations. 2022. adhdguideline.aadpa.com.au — Recommends stimulants as first-line medication for adults with impairing ADHD and non-stimulants where stimulants are unsuitable; dose titration with monitoring of heart rate, blood pressure, weight, sleep, mood and anxiety; cognitive-behavioural interventions, coaching and lifestyle guidance; notes anxiety, depression and substance use may follow untreated ADHD.

Sources were last checked on 5 October 2026. See all sources used on this site on our Sources page.