Psychosocial disability: support for everyday life, at your pace
For people living with psychosocial disability, and the families and friends who care. What it means, what people ask, what helps day to day, and how the NDIS and Kinship can support you.
- Registered NDIS provider (4-GWVHCEY)
- Same support worker every visit
- Free plain-English guide to download
What is psychosocial disability?
Psychosocial disability is the term for disability that can come from a mental health condition. The Australian Bureau of Statistics describes it as being restricted in everyday activities because of a condition that affects thinking, emotions or behaviour.
A diagnosis on its own isn’t a psychosocial disability. What matters is the impact on daily life: looking after yourself, getting out, working, keeping in touch with people. The NDIS recognises that this impact can go up and down, or come in episodes.
It’s more common than many people think. In 2022, 1.7 million Australians had psychosocial disability, up from 1.1 million in 2018, and most also had another type of disability (ABS).
A note on words: we say “person with psychosocial disability” and “lived experience”, and we use each person’s own words for what they’re going through.
Figures: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Psychosocial disability in Australia, 2022 (released June 2025). General information only, not medical advice. Talk to your GP or health team about your own situation.
The questions people search for
These are the questions Australians type into Google about psychosocial disability, answered from the organisations that know it best.
Is depression a psychosocial disability?
It can be, when it restricts everyday life over a long period. For the NDIS, the impairment must be likely to be permanent and substantially reduce your ability to do everyday things, usually after available treatment options have been considered (NDIS).
Can you get the NDIS for mental health?
Some people can. Psychosocial impairment is one of the six impairment types the NDIS lists. You’ll need evidence from your treating professional about how it affects your daily life (NDIS).
My symptoms come and go. Can I still apply?
Yes. The NDIS says it understands the impact of an impairment can go up and down and come in episodes, and it still considers whether you’re likely to need support for life.
What is a psychosocial recovery coach?
An NDIS-funded worker who helps participants with psychosocial disability in their recovery journey: building capacity, finding and organising supports, and coaching. You can choose one with lived experience (NDIS).
What does a support worker do?
Support workers can help with household tasks, personal care, daily activities and getting out into the community, and help you build skills like cooking or running errands (NDIS).
What are examples of psychosocial disability?
The ABS counts restrictions from nervous or emotional conditions, mental health concerns, memory problems or periods of confusion, and social or behavioural difficulties.
What helps, day to day
Small, practical things that make a week easier. Take what fits and leave the rest.
One familiar face
Not having to explain yourself to someone new every week matters. Consistency is something to ask any provider about.
Getting out, gently
Small steps count: a coffee, a walk, a class. Then the next one.
Keep your health team close
Your GP and mental health team stay at the centre. Medicare Mental Health (1800 595 212) can help you find services.
Skills for independence
Cooking, cleaning, shopping and running errands, practised with support until they’re yours (NDIS).
Support for the people around you
Carers and families can get free support through Carer Gateway on 1800 422 737.
How the NDIS can help
To be eligible for the NDIS you need to be younger than 65 when your application is received, an Australian citizen or permanent resident (or Protected Special Category visa holder) living in Australia, and have an impairment that’s likely to be permanent and substantially reduces your ability to do everyday things.
Psychosocial impairment is one of the impairment types the NDIS considers, and the NDIS funds recovery coaches for people with psychosocial support needs. From January 2028, access changes begin for new applicants, including a more consistent assessment of permanence and of whether an impairment can be treated (NDIS).
A plan can fund support workers for help at home, personal care and getting out, plus supports that build skills. Start by calling 1800 800 110 or your local NDIS partner. The NDIS says it will decide within 90 days once it has your application and all your evidence.
The NDIS is changing
New NDIS laws passed in August 2026. From 1 October 2026, budgets for social and community participation and for daily living skills are being reduced as plans are reassessed or newly approved, and a new way of planning is due from April 2027. Check ndis.gov.au for the latest.
What’s changing (ndis.gov.au) →Support at home and in the community
We support people, not diagnoses. For someone with psychosocial disability, we help with everyday life, alongside your health team.
Daily living
Help with the routines of home: meals, cleaning, appointments, the week ahead.
Daily living support →Community participation
Company and support to get out and stay connected, at your pace.
Community participation →Life skills and group activities
Building confidence and skills in real places, with real people.
Life skills →What we don’t do
Kinship doesn’t provide recovery coaching, counselling or clinical mental health treatment. We work alongside the people who do.
The same face every visit
The same support worker comes every visit, so you’re not explaining yourself to someone new each week.
About Kinship →Kinship Uniting Services is a registered NDIS provider (4-GWVHCEY), operating in disability and aged care since 2017. We’re based in Colebee and support families across Western Sydney, from Blacktown, The Ponds and Marsden Park to Rouse Hill, Riverstone and Windsor.
Take it with you
The free psychosocial disability guide is a printable PDF of this page, with a checklist and the numbers to call. Easy to share with family, your GP or your support coordinator.
Referring someone?
Support coordinators, plan managers and mental health teams: a short call is the fastest way to check whether we can help.
For referrers →If you need help right now
If life is in danger, call Triple Zero (000). Lifeline is there 24/7 on 13 11 14, or text 0477 13 11 14. Medicare Mental Health (1800 595 212) can help you find services. Kinship is not a crisis service.
Lifeline →More free guides
Plain-English guides for the parts of the NDIS and caring that trip people up. Swipe to see them all.
How to apply for the NDIS
Eligibility, evidence and the application, step by step.
Read the guide →After you apply for the NDIS
What happens while you wait, and what to do with the decision.
Read the guide →Understanding your NDIS plan
Budgets, funding periods and how to read your plan.
Read the guide →Choosing an NDIS provider
Questions to ask, and how to check a provider’s registration.
Read the guide →Looking after yourself as a carer
Practical support for the people who are always there.
Read the guide →Questions families ask us
Does Kinship support people with psychosocial disability?
Yes. We support NDIS participants with daily living, community participation and life skills. Call 0437 733 744 and we’ll talk it through.
Do you provide counselling or therapy?
No. Kinship doesn’t provide counselling, therapy or recovery coaching. Your support coordinator or NDIS partner can help you find a recovery coach.
Will the same support worker come each time?
Yes. The same support worker every visit. If it isn’t the right fit, tell us and we’ll look at a better match.
Is the NDIS the only way to get support?
No. If you’re not eligible, your NDIS partner can connect you with community and mainstream supports. Medicare Mental Health (1800 595 212) can also help you find services.
What should I do in a crisis?
If life is in danger, call Triple Zero (000). Lifeline is available 24/7 on 13 11 14, or text 0477 13 11 14. Kinship is not a crisis service.
Is this page medical advice?
No. It’s general information only. Talk to your GP or mental health team about your own situation.
Where this information comes from
- ABS: Psychosocial disability in Australia, 2022
- NDIS: What are the NDIS disability requirements
- NDIS: How to check your eligibility
- NDIS: What is a recovery coach
- NDIS: What is a support worker
- NDIS: How to apply
- NDIS: Securing the NDIS for future generations (new NDIS laws)
- NDIS: New way of planning
- Medicare Mental Health (national phone service 1800 595 212)
- Lifeline Australia
- Carer Gateway
The questions in “What people ask” reflect Google Australia search suggestions, checked 4 October 2026. Figures are quoted from the organisation named; check the source for the latest. General information only, not medical advice. Talk to your GP or health team about your own situation. Page reviewed October 2026.
Let’s talk about what you need
A short phone call is usually the easiest start. We’ll ask a few questions, tell you plainly whether we can help, and agree next steps together.
Registration 4-GWVHCEY. How to check any provider’s registration in two minutes.