Yes, chronic depression can be considered a disability in Australia, particularly if it's severe, long-term, and substantially affects your daily life, work, or study, potentially qualifying you for support through the NDIS or Disability Support Pension (DSP) if it meets specific criteria for psychosocial disability. Eligibility isn't just about a diagnosis but focuses on the impact on your ability to function, requiring evidence of significant limitations in major life activities, notes.
Yes, depression can qualify for disability under the NDIS and for certain Centrelink payments. However, it's not just about having a diagnosis. The focus is on how depression impacts your daily life and ability to function.
Many people ask us “Can you get disability for depression?” The answer is yes. You can qualify for Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits due to depression if your condition prevents you from working. However, you must be able to prove the severity of your condition and how it limits your work capabilities.
In Australia, automatic qualification for disability support (like the Disability Support Pension or NDIS) isn't about specific conditions but rather about meeting "manifest" criteria for severe, permanent, or terminal impairments, such as being permanently blind, having an IQ under 70, needing nursing home care, Category 4 HIV/AIDS, or a terminal illness with less than a two-year life expectancy. Otherwise, eligibility for income support (DSP) or NDIS funding depends on demonstrating the condition's permanence and its substantial, long-term impact on daily life and work capacity, requiring medical evidence.
Generally, Centrelink pays a disability support pension when a mental illness or physical or intellectual condition is likely to continue for two years and prevents you from working.
The benefits you may be entitled to include:
The $4,000 Centrelink payment isn't a direct cash payment but a one-time boost to the Work Bonus income bank for eligible pensioners (Age Pension, Disability Support Pension, Carer Payment) over Age Pension age, starting January 1, 2024, with an increased maximum balance of $11,800, allowing them to earn more without reducing their pension. You get this $4,000 starting credit automatically if you're a new claimant or haven't received a previous $4,000 boost, effectively giving you a $4,000 buffer to earn income before Centrelink reduces your pension.
To qualify for a Disability Support Pension, you must have 20 points. The 20 points can go under one table, or spread across more than one table. The Tribunal will look at the evidence you give and decide whether your medical conditions give you 20 points under one or more of the Impairment Tables.
Arthritis and other musculoskeletal disabilities are the most commonly approved conditions for disability benefits. If you are unable to walk due to arthritis, or unable to perform dexterous movements like typing or writing, you will qualify.
To get Adult Disability Payment, you must have a long-term physical or mental health condition or disability, or be terminally ill.
The VA rates depression at 100 percent disabling in very rare circumstances involving gross impairment of thought processes or communication, inappropriate behavior, and other factors. Otherwise, the VA will rate the condition from 0 to 70 percent disabling based on the severity and extent of the symptoms.
If your mental health condition is preventing you from working, one of your primary options is to explore long-term disability benefits. Many people have short-term or long-term disability insurance through their employer.
Clinical depression is considered a disability under the ADA, but not everyone who suffers from it is protected. In general, the ADA is used on a case-by-case basis. Because no two people are the same, no two disabilities are either. There are many misconceptions about what depression is and how it affects people.
Some of the mental health conditions which may be supported by the NDIS include, schizoid disorders such as schizophrenia, anxiety disorders such as post-traumatic stress disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder and agoraphobia, mood disorders such as bipolar disorder and depression.
Medical Conditions That May Qualify
Chronic or end-stage organ failure. HIV/AIDS requiring extensive treatment. Certain haematological and oncological conditions. Severe respiratory conditions requiring home oxygen or ventilator support.
A mental health condition is considered a disability if it has a long-term effect on your normal day-to-day activity. This is defined under the Equality Act 2010. Your condition is 'long term' if it lasts, or is likely to last, 12 months.
Here are the Top Disabilities That Are Difficult To Prove
A Temporary 100% VA disability rating is often granted when a veteran is recovering from surgery or undergoing treatment for a severe service-connected condition. This rating is designed to help veterans while they are temporarily incapacitated, ensuring they continue to receive the benefits they need during recovery.
If you need evidence to show you have a disability
You can get evidence from your doctor or another medical professional. This could include: how long your impairment is likely to last and if it's likely to get worse.
Other Examples of Non-covered Conditions
Broken limbs, sprains, concussions, appendicitis, common colds, or influenza generally would not be disabilities.
If you suffer from a mental health condition, you must have a diagnosis by a psychiatrist or by your GP after you have seen a clinical psychologist. If you only started treatment a short time ago, it may be better to continue this treatment for at least a few months before you lodge a claim for DSP.
Can I get Disability Living Allowance (DLA)?
There are no extra payments for Centrelink customers. If you're not sure if Centrelink information you've seen online is real, search our genuine websites. See the link in the comments for more info 👇 The Guringai Festival had a story about a $750 one off payment for pensioners in December, 2025.
Benefits you can claim if you are not working or are on a low...