What is an Acquired Brain Injury?
An acquired brain injury (ABI) is any damage to the brain that occurs after birth — distinguishing it from congenital conditions such as cerebral palsy, which are present from birth or due to birth complications. ABI can result from a wide range of causes and can affect any person at any age.
Common causes of ABI include traumatic brain injury (TBI) from road accidents, falls, or assaults; stroke (ischaemic or haemorrhagic); hypoxic or anoxic brain injury caused by oxygen deprivation during cardiac arrest, near-drowning, or choking; brain tumours and the effects of surgery or radiation treatment; and infections such as bacterial meningitis or viral encephalitis.
The effects of ABI vary enormously depending on the area of the brain injured and the severity of the damage. They can include physical disability, cognitive impairment, communication difficulties, fatigue, behavioural changes, and emotional dysregulation. Unlike congenital conditions, ABI often involves a person adjusting to a sudden and significant change in their abilities.
Is ABI Eligible for the NDIS?
Yes — acquired brain injury is eligible for NDIS funding, provided the impairment is permanent or likely to be permanent and substantially impacts daily functioning. The NDIS assesses eligibility based on functional capacity across six domains: mobility, communication, social interaction, learning, self-care, and self-management.
Evidence Required for NDIS Access
To support an NDIS access request, you will typically need documentation from a neurologist, rehabilitation physician, or neuropsychologist confirming the diagnosis, the permanence of the impairment, and how it impacts daily activities. Neuropsychological assessments are particularly valuable as they document cognitive functioning in a format the NDIA recognises.
Transitioning from Hospital to NDIS
Many people with ABI first encounter the NDIS while still in hospital or inpatient rehabilitation. Hospital social workers and Allied Health teams can initiate NDIS access requests during this period to ensure supports are in place before discharge. Early access reduces the risk of gaps in care when transitioning home.
When ABI May Not Qualify
Not all ABI results in NDIS eligibility. If the injury results in a complete recovery with no lasting functional impairment, or if the person is aged 65 or older at the time of injury (and not already an NDIS participant), they may be directed to other services such as aged care or the healthcare system instead.
ABI vs Congenital Brain Conditions
The NDIS treats ABI and congenital conditions similarly in terms of funding eligibility — both are assessed on functional impact. The practical difference is that people with ABI are often adjusting to sudden life changes, may have existing social roles (employment, family), and may benefit strongly from capacity-building supports focused on relearning skills and maximising recovery.
NDIS Supports for Acquired Brain Injury
Core Supports
- • Personal care and hygiene assistance
- • Community access and participation
- • Transport to appointments and activities
- • Domestic assistance and home care
- • Supported Independent Living (SIL)
Capacity Building
- • Cognitive rehabilitation via OT and neuropsychology
- • Speech pathology for communication and swallowing
- • Fatigue management programs
- • Supported employment preparation
- • Behaviour support planning
Capital Supports
- • Assistive technology (communication devices, cognitive aids)
- • Home modifications for accessibility
- • Vehicle modifications
- • Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA)
Transitioning from Hospital to NDIS After a Brain Injury
The period between hospital discharge and establishing NDIS supports is one of the most critical — and vulnerable — times for a person with ABI. Understanding the transition process helps families and carers plan effectively.
Hospital and Rehabilitation Liaison
Most major hospitals in Perth have social workers and Allied Health staff who can initiate an NDIS access request before discharge. Engaging these teams early — ideally within the first few weeks of admission — gives the NDIA time to process the access decision while the person is still receiving inpatient care.
Early NDIS Access and Discharge Planning
Once NDIS access is approved, an NDIS planner or Local Area Coordinator (LAC) will arrange a planning meeting. Where possible, this meeting should include the rehabilitation team so that funding recommendations are informed by clinical needs. The first NDIS plan may be reviewed after 12 months as the person's needs evolve post-injury.
What to Expect in the First NDIS Plan
Initial NDIS plans for people with ABI commonly include funding for daily living support, support coordination to help navigate the new system, therapy services for cognitive and physical rehabilitation, and possibly assistive technology. Plan reviews allow additional needs to be added as they become clearer over time.
Bridging Gaps During Transition
If there is a gap between hospital discharge and NDIS supports commencing, interim supports may be available through the WA health system, transition care programs, or community organisations. A Support Coordinator can help identify and access these bridging options while the NDIS plan is finalised.
Cognitive and Communication Challenges After ABI
ABI can affect the brain's cognitive and communication functions in ways that profoundly impact daily life. Understanding these challenges helps in identifying the right NDIS supports.
Memory and Learning
Many people with ABI experience difficulty forming new memories (anterograde amnesia) or recalling events from before the injury (retrograde amnesia). Memory aids, routine-building, and occupational therapy strategies — funded under Capacity Building — can help people develop compensatory strategies and maintain independence.
Attention, Concentration, and Executive Function
Difficulty sustaining attention, planning tasks, making decisions, and controlling impulses are common after frontal lobe injury. These executive function deficits can make managing daily tasks, finances, and relationships challenging. Support workers trained in ABI can prompt, cue, and assist with structured task completion.
Neurological Fatigue
Fatigue is among the most prevalent and poorly understood effects of ABI. Unlike normal tiredness, neurological fatigue can severely limit the amount of activity a person can manage each day. NDIS-funded support workers can help with fatigue management by assisting with energy-intensive tasks, building in rest periods, and supporting a structured daily routine.
Communication and Speech
Aphasia (difficulty speaking or understanding language), dysarthria (slurred speech), and pragmatic communication difficulties are common following stroke and TBI. Speech pathology — funded under NDIS Capacity Building — can address these challenges directly. Support workers can also learn communication strategies to facilitate clearer interaction.
Behaviour and Emotional Regulation
ABI can cause significant changes in personality, emotional regulation, and behaviour — including irritability, impulsivity, mood swings, depression, and anxiety. Behaviour support practitioners funded under the NDIS can develop positive behaviour support plans, and support workers learn de-escalation and strengths-based engagement techniques.
Insight and Self-Awareness
A particularly challenging aspect of some ABIs is reduced insight — the person may not be aware of, or may minimise, the extent of their own impairments. This can complicate NDIS planning and support delivery. Experienced ABI support workers understand this and approach support from a respectful, non-confrontational perspective that maintains the participant's dignity.
Related NDIS Services:
Assistance with Self-Care
- Personal hygiene assistance
- Dressing and grooming
- Meal preparation support
- Medication management
Community Participation
- Social group activities
- Assistance with volunteering
- Recreational outings
- Skill-building workshops
Travel and Transport
- Safe travel assistance
- Accompanied appointments
- Transport to community events
- Assistance with public transport
Frequently Asked Questions — NDIS Acquired Brain Injury Perth
Get NDIS Support for Acquired Brain Injury in Perth
Help Alliance is currently accepting new NDIS participants with acquired brain injury across Perth's northern suburbs. Whether you are transitioning from hospital, reviewing your current plan, or looking for a provider experienced in ABI support — we are here to help.