resources

---

Update (10 July 2026): Changes to the NDIS Early Childhood Approach in Western Australia

If you're a parent, caregiver or health professional supporting a young child, there have been some important changes to the National Disability Insurance Agency's (NDIA) Early Childhood Approach (ECA) in Western Australia.

On 10 July 2026, I spoke with a representative from Uplyft (formerly Wanslea), the NDIA's Early Childhood Partner in Western Australia, to clarify the current referral process. They also provided me with their updated referral information and referral form.

Wanslea is now Uplyft

The first change is simply that Wanslea has officially rebranded as Uplyft. While the name has changed, the organisation continues to deliver the NDIA's Early Childhood Approach across metropolitan Perth, the Peel, South West, Great Southern and Inner Wheatbelt regions of Western Australia.

Who can be referred?

According to Uplyft's 2026 referral form, referrals can be made for:

• children under 6 years of age who have developmental concerns or developmental delay; and
• children under 9 years of age who have a disability.

One of the most helpful clarifications I received was that children under six years of age do not require a formal diagnosis to be referred to Uplyft. Instead, developmental concerns or developmental delay may be sufficient to begin the process.

For children aged 6–8 years, the referral pathway is different. Uplyft advised that these children generally require a diagnosed disability before progressing through the Early Childhood Approach for consideration of NDIS access.

The updated referral process

The referral process has also changed slightly.

• A parent, caregiver or health professional (with parental consent) submits a referral to Uplyft.
• Uplyft reviews the referral and contacts the family to discuss the child's needs.
• A Uplyft practitioner gathers additional information, which may include observations, reports from therapists, information from teachers or childcare providers, and relevant medical information.
• Uplyft determines the most appropriate pathway for the child and family.

Depending on the child's circumstances, Uplyft may:

• connect the family with mainstream or community supports;
• provide practical information and early intervention strategies;
• connect the family with other services or families;
• provide early supports; or
• assist the family to submit an NDIS Access Request if appropriate.

This means that a referral to Uplyft does not automatically result in an NDIS application. Instead, Uplyft first determines which pathway is likely to provide the most appropriate support for the child and their family.

A note about the information available online

One interesting observation is that some publicly available information is broader than the official referral documentation.

For example, some Uplyft communications describe the Early Childhood Approach as supporting children aged 0–9 years with developmental delay or disability. However, the current referral form distinguishes between:

• children under 6 years with developmental concerns or developmental delay; and
• children under 9 years with a disability.

The information in this article reflects both the clarification I received directly from Uplyft on 10 July 2026 and the wording contained within their current referral documentation.

As always, referral and access decisions are made by the NDIA and Uplyft based on each child's individual circumstances. If you're unsure whether your child may be eligible, it's worth submitting a referral or discussing your concerns with your child's treating health professional.

You may wish to:

• Ask for supporting letters from the professionals in your/ your child's life e.g. Psychologist, GP, Speech Pathologist, Paediatrician, Psychiatrist etc, that list diagnosis, the impact they have on daily life, and what supports you would benefit from. If not known, they may wish to recommend that funding is included to have a Functional Capacity Assessment completed in your next NDIS plan.
• Obtain reports from medical and allied health professionals to provide evidence of how a Participant meets the NDIS "disability requirements" . 
• Liaise with a diagnosing health professional if a Participant would benefit from being assessed for, "conditions that are likely to meet the disability requirements".  Have reports outline how the Participant meets the National Disability Insurance Scheme Act 2013 - section 24 - disability requirements.
• Request an advocate from Midlas or Developmental Disabilities WA, to help you prepare for, and attend, the NDIS meeting. 
• Request an in-person meeting with the NDIS delegate.
• Document all correspondence including the first and last name of the person who you are speaking with from the NDIS, and request a receipt number of the conversation.
• Write a Carer Impact Statement, or a Statement of Lived Experience. Templates can be found online through a Google search. 
• Know what the NDIS can fund:  NDIS supports lists & "NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits 2024-25".
• Ask for the "NDIS budget breakdown" to see how funds have been allocated in the NDIS plan from your Local Area Coordinator.
• Look after yourself:  www.carerswa.asn.au 

Eligibility reassessment

• This NDIS CEO statement from 03-02-2025 states, "we have extended the timeframe for participants to provide additional information to support eligibility reassessments from 28 to 90 days." This information on re-eligibility statements from the NDIS states, "This came into effect on 30 January 2025."
• "A parent’s guide to NDIS eligibility reassessments for 7-9 year olds" from Perth Kids Hub

The Companion Card allows a person with a significant, permanent disability who requires lifelong attendant care support to have their companion attend participating venues and events without purchasing a second ticket.

I can assist with completing the functional and medical sections of Centrelink applications and reports where an Occupational Therapist is an appropriate treating health professional. This may include:

• Carer Allowance – Medical Report for a person aged 16 years or over (Form SA332A)
• Carer Payment – Medical Report for a person aged 16 years or over (Form SA332A)
• Other Centrelink functional assessments and supporting documentation, where appropriate

I work with you to ensure the information provided accurately reflects the person's functional capacity, support needs, and the impact of disability or medical conditions on everyday life.

I can assist with ACROD Parking Permit applications by assessing functional mobility, completing the Occupational Therapist section of the application where appropriate, and providing supporting information about how a person's mobility impacts their everyday community access.

An ACROD Parking Permit is available to people whose ability to walk is significantly restricted due to a permanent or temporary medical condition or disability, or who are legally blind. The permit allows eligible people to access designated ACROD parking bays, making it easier to participate in everyday activities and access the community.