NDIS معاونت کے رابطہ کار: نفسیاتی جائزوں کے لیے حوالہ

Psychological and neuropsychological assessments can give participants and their teams a clearer picture of cognitive, emotional and functional needs. For NDIS support coordinators, the challenge is knowing when an assessment will actually help, which funding pathway applies, and how to frame the referral.

This guide covers those questions and reflects the NDIS changes made in 2024 and 2026. It is general information for professionals and does not replace the NDIA’s guidelines or advice about a specific participant.

Your role, and what is changing

The NDIA describes a support coordinator as someone who helps participants use their plan, choose providers, connect with community and mainstream services, and build confidence to manage their supports. There are three levels: support connection, support coordination and specialist support coordination.

The Securing the NDIS for Future Generations laws, passed in August 2026, change several things relevant to referrals:

• Only participants, plan nominees or child representatives can now request a plan reassessment.
• Budgets for social, economic and community participation and improved daily living skills are being reduced as plans are created or reassessed from 1 October 2026, and renewed from 1 February 2027.
• From 1 July 2028, the NDIA says a new commissioned support coordination and connection function will be introduced.

Details are still being released, so check current NDIA guidance before advising participants.

When a psychological assessment may help

An assessment is worth considering when the answer to a specific question would change what supports a participant needs or how they are delivered. Common situations include:

• Evidence for a reassessment. A participant’s functioning has changed significantly and they want to ask for a reassessment.
• Unexplained difficulties. Supports are not working as expected, and cognitive problems such as memory, attention or planning may be part of the reason.
• Changes in thinking or behaviour. For example, after a brain injury, stroke or a decline in health.
• Understanding a cognitive profile. To guide how information is presented, how support workers prompt, or how skills are taught.
• Decision-making questions. Where there is doubt about a participant’s capacity to make a specific decision, after supported decision-making has been tried.

When an assessment may not be the right step

An assessment is not always the answer. It may add little when:

• recent reports already answer the question, and nothing significant has changed
• the participant is acutely unwell, in crisis or going through a major upheaval, which can make results less representative
• the real barrier is practical, such as provider availability or transport
• the participant does not want it, or does not understand its purpose yet.

In these situations, it may be more useful to wait, request existing records, or address the practical issue first.

If the main concern is a mental health condition that needs treatment, the first referral is usually to a GP. If behaviours of concern are the issue, a specialist positive behaviour support practitioner may be the right pathway.

Which funding pathway applies?

Getting the pathway right avoids declined claims and delays.

The NDIS list of supports that are not NDIS supports includes diagnostic assessments and screening services. The NDIA’s therapy supports guideline says the NDIS may fund functional assessments to inform planning and therapy needs, and that psychology for a mental health diagnosis or treatment is the health system’s responsibility.

Check the participant’s plan, funding balance and management type before referring. For NDIA-managed participants, the provider must be NDIS-registered.

Consent and choice before you refer

The participant leads the decision. Before referring:

• explain what the assessment involves, why it may help, and the likely cost to their plan
• get informed consent from the participant, or their nominee or guardian where one is appointed
• agree who will receive the report and how it will be used
• offer choice of provider, and check for any conflict of interest.

The NDIA’s supported decision making policy describes supporting people to make decisions so they stay in control of their lives. Use accessible information, allow time, and involve trusted supporters if the participant wants that.

For reassessment evidence, remember that the participant must make the request themselves. The NDIA’s plan reassessment page says evidence should be dated within 4 months of the request and after the current plan was approved, so time referrals accordingly.

What a useful referral includes

A focused referral leads to a focused report. Include:

1. The referral question. For example: “What cognitive difficulties may explain problems managing medication, and what supports would help?” A vague request such as “general assessment” makes the report less useful.
2. The reason and timing. Such as an upcoming check-in or reassessment date.
3. Background. Diagnoses, health history, medications, living situation and current supports.
4. Existing reports. Especially earlier cognitive testing, with dates. Repeating the same tests too soon can affect results.
5. Goals. The relevant plan goals and what the participant wants from the assessment.
6. Access needs. Interpreter, communication supports, sensory needs, mobility, preferred times, and whether a support person will attend.
7. Funding details. Management type, plan manager contact, and the category to be claimed.

تشخیص کے بعد

Once the report is complete, help the participant understand the findings and decide what to do next. Useful steps include:

• arranging a feedback session that includes the participant and, if they wish, key supporters
• sharing recommendations with providers only with consent
• turning recommendations into practical changes, such as visual schedules or changes to how support workers prompt
• keeping the report with other evidence for the next check-in.

If the findings suggest a need for other services, such as mental health treatment through a GP or a specialist behaviour support practitioner, help the participant connect with them. Review whether the recommendations are being used and are making a difference at your regular catch-ups.

Invictus Health کیسے مدد کر سکتا ہے

Our psychologists and neuropsychologists provide NDIS assessments and reports اور neuropsychological assessments. Neuropsychology reports are reviewed by Dr Judy Tang OAM. Where a specific decision is in question, we also provide فیصلہ سازی کی صلاحیت کے جائزے۔.

No GP referral is needed to book most assessments, so support coordinators can refer directly with the participant’s consent. We have assessment clinics in every state and territory, listed on our locations page. Please ہم سے رابطہ کریں to discuss a referral question or funding arrangements.