8 Tips to Make Your NDIS Evidence More Effective

When it comes to your NDIS application or asking for more support in your plan, the evidence you provide plays a big role… at least for now.

With the new I-CAN assessments rolling out in mid-2026, the NDIS is shifting toward a more structured interview process that focuses on what you can do with support across different areas of life. You can read more about what that will look like in our I-CAN guide.

Related: What the new NDIS Needs Assessment Model means for Participants in 2026 

Written reports and documents won’t always be the main focus anymore, but they can still help, especially if your situation is complex, hard to explain, or if you find long interviews overwhelming. And right now, they still play a major role.

In this article, we’ll walk you through 8 simple tips to help make your NDIS evidence more effective when it’s needed. Whether you’re applying for the first time, preparing for a reassessment, or asking for new supports, these tips can help you and your support team feel more confident and better prepared.

Let’s get into it.

1. Make it recent 

Your evidence should reflect your current situation, not just how things were a year ago. Updated reports help show what’s changed, what’s working, and what support you still need. This is especially important if your condition fluctuates or your needs have increased over time.

Even when I-CAN becomes the standard, fresh evidence from your treating team can still help fill in the gaps, especially if your challenges aren’t always visible or easy to explain in a long interview.

2. Show that your disability is permanent and has a big impact

To be eligible for the NDIS, your disability must be both permanent and significantly affecting your daily life. Your evidence should clearly show both.

This includes medical records, reports, or notes from professionals that explain how your condition is long-term and how it affects your ability to do everyday things. If your disability is on List A or List B, the NDIA may already assume it meets the eligibility criteria – so focus on providing solid proof of the diagnosis using tools like DSM-V, WHODAS, or acuity ratings for vision or hearing.

3. Choose the right professional and stick with them

Who your evidence comes from matters. It’s best to get reports from professionals who specialise in your type of disability, like a physiotherapist for mobility issues or a speech pathologist for communication challenges.

It also helps if you’ve been seeing them for a while, at least 6 months is best. A long-term treating team knows your story, understands how your condition has changed, and can provide more accurate and credible evidence. Their input can add valuable context that might not come through in a one-off appointment or a structured interview.

4. Show your treatment journey: past and future

Your NDIS evidence isn’t just about today, it’s about your journey. Include a summary of key treatments you’ve tried, like medications, therapies, or surgeries, and how they’ve worked (or haven’t). This shows that your disability is ongoing and that you’ve actively tried to manage it.

Also mention any future treatments you’re considering, and whether they’re likely to help. If there are no suitable options left, that’s important to say too as it helps show that your condition isn’t likely to improve with medical care alone.

This kind of detail helps the NDIS understand whether your support needs fall under their responsibility or the health system, and can clarify things that might not come up naturally in an I-CAN interview.

5. Focus on what you can do with support

The NDIS wants to understand how your disability affects your ability to live your life and what you can do when the right support is in place.

Right now, they look at six core life areas: communication, social interaction, learning, mobility, self-care, and self-management. With I-CAN, this will expand to 12 areas, including things like relationships, safety, and home life.

So when you’re putting together your evidence, include real-life examples. Maybe you can cook a meal, but only with someone guiding you. Or maybe you can get to appointments, but only if someone drives you and helps you stay calm. These examples help show how support makes a difference.

8. Know when evidence is actually needed

It’s worth remembering that while evidence is still a key part of the NDIS process right now, that’s changing.  You don’t always need to gather a pile of paperwork. Before you start collecting reports talk to your Support Coordinator or LAC. They can help you figure out whether evidence is needed for your situation, and what kind will be most useful.

These tips are here to guide you when evidence is needed, whether that’s for access, a reassessment, or a specific support request.

Final thoughts

Good evidence tells your story clearly. It shows how your disability affects your life, what support helps, and why it matters. And when it’s done well, it can make a real difference in getting the right help from the NDIS.