How to structure an NDIS psychology report

Full participant name, NDIS number, date of birth, and primary diagnosis (with DSM-5-TR code if a diagnostic assessment). Your full name, qualifications (include your area of practice endorsement if applicable), AHPRA registration number in PSY format, Medicare provider number if relevant, clinic name, and NDIS provider number. Report date and, for progress reports, the reporting period.

Who referred the participant and what specific questions the assessment or report needs to address. For diagnostic assessments: what condition is being queried and what has prompted the referral now. For progress reports: what goals are being reported on and whether the assessment was planned or triggered by a change in circumstances. For cognitive assessments: what functional decisions will the results inform (school placement, capacity for independent living, need for supported decision-making). The referral question shapes the entire report. State it clearly at the start.

Relevant developmental, medical, and psychological history. Educational history and current educational or employment participation. Previous assessments and diagnoses, including by whom and when. Current living situation, support arrangements, and informal support network. Current medications and any psychological or behavioural effects. Family mental health history where relevant to the referral question. Focus on what is relevant to the assessment questions. A full developmental history is appropriate for a diagnostic assessment. A brief summary is sufficient for a progress report.

Document the participant's presentation during the assessment sessions. Attention and concentration, engagement with tasks, fatigue, anxiety, rapport with the assessor, response to difficult items, and any breaks taken. These observations provide context for test scores. A participant who was highly anxious, fatigued after 30 minutes, or uncooperative on specific subtests may have produced results that underestimate their true ability. State this clearly so the planner and future clinicians understand the context.

For each psychometric tool: state the full tool name and edition (WISC-V, not 'the Wechsler'), the date of administration, and the composite and subtest scores in a format the reader can follow. Standard scores, percentile ranks, and confidence intervals for composite indices. Subtest scaled scores where they inform the clinical picture. Then, after the numbers, write a plain-language interpretation. 'A Full-Scale IQ of 68 (95% CI: 64-74) places Participant X's overall cognitive ability in the Extremely Low range, at the 2nd percentile. This means their general thinking and reasoning ability is lower than approximately 98% of same-age peers.' That is what the planner needs.

Present scores in tables where possible, then interpret in prose. Planners will scan the table for the numbers and read the prose for the meaning.

For diagnostic assessments: state the diagnosis using DSM-5-TR criteria. List the specific criteria met and the evidence for each. Describe differential diagnoses considered and the reasons they were excluded. If the presentation is complex or the diagnosis is uncertain, say so honestly. An uncertain diagnosis documented with clinical reasoning is more credible than a definitive diagnosis that ignores contradictory evidence. If this is a progress report and not a diagnostic assessment, briefly restate the existing diagnosis and its source.

This is the most important section for NDIS purposes. Translate your psychological findings into everyday functional language. A low processing speed index means the participant takes longer to complete timed tasks, which may affect their ability to follow group instructions at school, keep pace in a workplace, or manage multi-step daily routines without support. An anxiety disorder means the participant avoids community settings, which limits their social participation and access to education or employment. Connect every significant finding to a specific daily activity or life domain the NDIA funds. Without this section, the assessment results are clinically interesting but not actionable for the planner.

The NDIA funds disability-related functional limitation. A diagnosis alone does not establish functional limitation. This section bridges the gap.

For each funded NDIS goal: state the goal exactly as written in the participant's plan. Assign a progress status. Write an objective progress summary using specific, measurable language. Describe the psychological interventions used and the participant's response. If carer or family work was part of the intervention, document what was provided and any observable changes. Write a block for every funded goal, including goals not yet commenced.

Specific frequency and total hours per year. The NDIS support category and line item code. Suggested goals for the next plan in functional, participant-centred language. If recommending behaviour support, specify whether a Behaviour Support Plan is required and who should develop it. If referring to another discipline, state why and what questions the referral should address. If recommending a specific therapy approach (CBT, social skills training, parent coaching), briefly state the evidence base.

Psychology hourly rates are among the highest in the NDIS Price Guide. Planners scrutinise psychology recommendations closely. Justify the amount, not just the support type.

Signed declaration with your full name, qualifications, AHPRA registration number in PSY format, area of practice endorsement if applicable, and date. If a registrar or provisional psychologist conducted some or all of the assessment under supervision, name them, state their registration status, and confirm the level of supervision provided.