What Is Psychosocial Disability?
A psychosocial disability means reduced capacity to do the tasks and activities of daily life because of your mental health. The NDIA is clear that it isn't a mental health condition or diagnosis. It describes the impact on everyday life, like managing tasks, work, study, living independently or relationships, and that impact can vary over time.
How Is Psychosocial Disability Different From Mental Illness?
A diagnosis names the condition. Psychosocial disability describes how it affects your daily life.
Two people with the same diagnosis can have very different lives. One may need little help, while another finds daily activities much harder for long periods. The NDIA looks at the impairment and its effect on functioning, not the diagnosis alone, when it decides whether someone is eligible.
This site doesn't give medical or diagnostic advice. If you're worried about your mental health, start with your GP or a mental health service.
What Are Examples of Psychosocial Disability?
The NDIA describes differences in the way you complete daily activities because of your mental health.
In its guideline on applying to the NDIS, the NDIA says these differences may affect your ability to:
- think clearly
- manage everyday tasks
- get an education
- find and keep a job
- live independently
- maintain relationships
The guideline names bipolar affective disorder and schizophrenia as examples of conditions known to affect psychosocial function. They're examples, not a complete list, and having one of them doesn't automatically mean someone has a psychosocial disability.
Looking for a Recovery Coach?
We'll connect you with a registered provider of psychosocial recovery coaching, in person or online.
Can a Psychosocial Disability Come and Go?
Yes. The NDIA recognises that the impact can vary, and an impairment can still be lifelong even when it fluctuates.
The NDIA says a psychosocial disability might vary at different times in how much it affects your daily life. Even if it fluctuates and there are periods with a smaller impact, you might have the impairment for your lifetime. Its guideline describes impairments that are episodic, or that fluctuate in intensity, as still able to count as permanent.
That's one reason the NDIS funds recovery coaching: it's designed to keep supports in place through periods of increased need, rather than starting again each time.
Is Psychosocial Disability Covered by the NDIS?
It can be. People with a psychosocial disability may be eligible if they meet the NDIS disability or early intervention requirements.
The NDIS doesn't fund treatment of mental health conditions, which stays with the health system. It funds disability supports, such as recovery coaching, for participants who meet the requirements. Our page on psychosocial disability and the NDIS sets out the requirements and the evidence the NDIA asks for.
What Support Is There for Psychosocial Disability?
Inside the NDIS, recovery coaching is the support built for it. Outside the NDIS, there are health, community and government services.
Not everyone with a psychosocial disability is eligible for the NDIS. The NDIA points people to the Disability Gateway, an Australian Government website, and to NDIS partners for community connections, to find other services. Your GP can also help you find mental health support in your area.
Questions People Ask
Is anxiety or depression a psychosocial disability?
A diagnosis on its own isn't a psychosocial disability. What matters is whether the impairment substantially reduces your ability to do daily activities, and whether it's likely to be permanent. Your treating professional can help with that question.
Is psychosocial disability the same as a mental health condition?
No. The NDIA says a psychosocial disability isn't a mental health condition or diagnosis. It means reduced capacity to do daily tasks and activities because of your mental health.
Is psychosocial disability permanent?
It can be lifelong even if the impact comes and goes. The NDIA considers whether an impairment is likely to be permanent after known, available and appropriate treatment options.
Who can tell me if I have a psychosocial disability?
Your treating health professionals, such as your GP, psychiatrist or psychologist, can describe your condition and how it affects your daily life. The NDIA makes the eligibility decision.
Keep Reading
- Psychosocial disability and the NDISCan you get the NDIS for mental health? How the NDIA decides eligibility for psychosocial disability, the evidence it needs, and what it does and doesn't fund.
- Evidence of psychosocial disability formThe NDIS evidence of psychosocial disability form explained: who can fill it in, what it must cover, functional assessments, and what happens after you apply.
- What is a recovery coach?A psychosocial recovery coach is an NDIS-funded worker with mental health knowledge who helps you plan, build skills and coordinate supports.
- For families and carersFor families and carers: how a recovery coach can work with you, getting NDIS support for someone with psychosocial disability, and where to get help yourself.
We share your details with one provider at a time, never a list. Privacy policy