Do you need help to join the National Disability Insurance Scheme?

The Assessment and Referral Team (ART) works directly with individuals to support them to access the NDIS. We can help throughout the entire application process from start to finish. This includes preparing and collecting documentation and, where required, arranging a specialised assessment.

How can ART help?

ART can help people with disability aged between 7 and 65 who are potentially eligible for NDIS supports.

ART can help you:

Check your NDIS eligibility.
Prepare and collect relevant documentation to support your application.
Fill out NDIS forms.
Arrange specialist assessments.
Discuss your disability related needs with specialists and doctors.
Submit your application to the NDIS and track its progress until finished.

Where is ART available?

ART is currently being delivered across the following communities:

Townsville
Cairns (including Mareeba, Cassowary Coast, Douglas, Cook, Torres, Tablelands, Hinchinbrook, Etheridge, Weipa)
Mackay (including Whitsunday Regional, Charters Towers, Isaac, Flinders, Burdekin)
Mount Isa (including Cloncurry, McKinlay, Richmond, Croydon, Burke, Boulia, Carpentaria)
Beenleigh (including Logan and Redlands)
Ipswich (including Lockyer Valley, Scenic Rim and Somerset)

ART will rollout across Brisbane and Robina NDIS regions in late 2021.

Ask for help from ART or make a referral for someone you support

Check eligibility- the first step is to make sure you, or the person you support, is eligible to apply for the NDIS. If you get stuck, just let us know and we can help you check.

Email ART - email ARTenquiries@communities.qld.gov.au. In your email, please include your name and phone number. The ART intake team will try to make contact as soon as possible, but times can vary during peak periods. Please allow up to 14 days for this initial contact.

Phone ART- call 1800 569 040 and talk to an ART team member.

Make a referral- submit an online referral form for you or someone you support.

QDN and targeted outreach

If you, or someone you support, needs help with talking to or connecting with ART, Queenslanders with Disability Network (QDN) is available to help. ART is partnering with QDN who is supporting people who may need additional assistance getting started. QDN can also work with organisations and community groups to help their clients understand more about the NDIS and the supports it can provide, and connect them with ART. Contact QDN on 1300 363 783 or targetedoutreach@qdn.org.au.

Important information about ART during Coronavirus (COVID-19)

It’s important that people with disability can get the supports they need during this difficult time, including support to access the NDIS. ART is continuing to provide this support in a way that protects the safety and wellbeing of the community.

Much of ART’s work is already done over the phone, so valuable support to complete NDIS forms, collect information and navigate the application process is still available. Specialised assessments for diagnosis or functional capacity may also be completed. Case Managers will work with individuals to find the best option.

Referrals & feedback

Referral Form - ART

ART will provide an intensive case management approach to support a potential new participant to access the NDIS. This approach will include preparing and collecting relevant documentation and, where required, arranging a specialised assessment.

Lodge referral
ART Feedback Form

Have you had help from ART to access the NDIS? We would like to hear your feedback on the support you received, and your experience. We appreciate your time to answer a few short questions.

Share your feedback

The Assessment and Referral Team (ART) is assisting people with disability to apply for the NDIS. The free initiative has been made available through a collaboration with the Department of Seniors, Disability Services and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships and the Commonwealth Government.

Ask for help from ART or make a referral for someone you support

Use this ART Referral Form to request support from our team to access the NDIS. Please allow up to 14 days for this initial contact. If you, or a person with disability that you know is experiencing extreme difficulties as a result of COVID-19 and needs support to access the NDIS, call ART on 1800 569 040.

Who can ART help?

ART can help a wide range of Queenslanders with disability to access the NDIS, including:

People from rural, regional or remote communities.
Students leaving, or have recently left school.
Students 7 years or over who attend a special school.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
People from a culturally and linguistically diverse background.
Children and young people engaged in the youth justice system.
Adults subject to supervision by Community Corrections.
Prisoners leaving the criminal justice system.

Potential participants must be aged between 7 and 65 years to apply for ART assistance. Applicants must also be Australian residents located within one of the ART delivery regions and not currently approved for an NDIS plan.

Referrals can be made either by individuals, family members, carers or support agencies.

Parents and families seeking support for children under 7 can contact their NDIS Early Childhood Partner. They will tailor support to your child's individual needs and circumstances, and can help you to request access to the NDIS if your child requires longer-term supports.