In this guide:
An acquired brain injury (ABI) can change many parts of a person’s life – how they think, move, feel, and connect with others. While the experience is often challenging, getting the right diagnosis and support can make a big difference. Depending on your situation, there are options available to help you recover skills, build independence, and keep doing the things you value most.
How is an ABI diagnosed?
A diagnosis helps confirm the injury and gives health professionals an idea of what the possible long-term effects might be. These predictions (or prognoses) aren’t always certain, so it’s natural for the person and their loved ones to feel frustrated and unsettled during this stage.
Because there are many types of brain injury, there’s no single approach to diagnosis. Diagnosis usually happens in hospital and may involve tests and scans such as:
- MRI or CT scans to look for bleeding, swelling or structural changes in the brain
- EEG to record the brain’s electrical activity
- PET scans to check how well the brain is functioning
- Intracranial pressure monitor to monitor pressure from brain tissue swelling
- Lumbar puncture to collect and test cerebrospinal fluid.
Find out more about the therapies and strategies for managing a brain injury.
What funding is available for people with an ABI?
People with ABI may be eligible to access financial support. The type of funding will depend on how the injury affects daily life, work, and independence. One of the pathways is the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), which provides financial support for eligible people with a permanent and significant disability.
If a person isn’t eligible for the NDIS, other pathways may be available. These include the Disability Support Pension (DSP), which offers income support for people whose medical condition permanently prevents them from working. There are also community-based options, such as financial grants and advocacy services like AFRM Claims Advocacy (ACA), which can help people navigate claims and access additional resources.
NDIS eligibility criteria for ABI
A person with an ABI may be eligible for support through the NDIS if their injury causes a lifelong disability that impacts their daily life. Brain injury is recognised as a disability under the NDIS. Some degenerative conditions that can cause ABI, such as Alzheimer’s dementia and Parkinson’s, are listed on Condition List B.
To be eligible for NDIS funding, a person must satisfy criteria including:
- Be aged between 7 and 65
- Live in Australia and be an Australian citizen, a permanent resident, or a Protected Special Category visa holder
- Have a disability caused by a permanent impairment that substantially reduces your functional capacity.
When applying, you’ll need to show evidence that your condition is permanent and significantly affects your ability to carry out everyday activities. Learn more about eligibility for the NDIS, how to apply for the NDIS, and how to manage your NDIS funding.
What support can I access with my NDIS funding?
If you’re approved and have your NDIS Plan, NDIS funding may be used to help with things like:
- Managing daily living tasks
- Improving your physical health and mobility, including mobility aids such as walking sticks and wheelchairs
- Navigating big life transitions, such as starting a new job or schooling
- Getting to and from medical appointments, work and social events
- Finding suitable housing or transitioning to independent living
- Staying connected to your community and building independence.
You can use your NDIS funding to get help from independent support workers through Mable.
What if I'm not eligible for the NDIS or other funding?
If you’re not eligible for the NDIS or other funding for ABI, you can still pay privately for support through Mable. Paying privately gives you full control over the type of support, timing, and choice of support worker. Since you’re connecting with workers directly, you can also negotiate a rate that works for you both.
Learn more about how you can pay privately for support on Mable.
How Mable can be used to find support for those with ABI?
Depending on your needs and goals, support might include:
- Help with showering, dressing, and other daily routines
- Cleaning, cooking, grocery shopping, and organising bills or appointments
- Allied health services such as physiotherapy or speech therapy
- Support with memory strategies, using technology, or practising conversation skills
- Pacing activities, building rest breaks into routines, and following behaviour strategies from your care team
- Transport to medical appointments, work, study, or leisure activities
- Accompanying you to hobbies, community events, or social groups
Respite for family members and regular carers.
Learn more about the support services available via Mable.
Living with an ABI comes with challenges, but the right diagnosis, funding, and personalised support can help people adapt, stay connected, and maintain their independence.
Frequently asked questions
What does rehabilitation after the hospital look like for a brain injury?
Rehabilitation often starts once someone is medically stable and can include physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and emotional support. It may continue for months or even years.
How can I get financial help after an ABI?
We've created a helpful guide for people who have ABI and believe they may be eligible for NDIS funding. Check out our guide on how to apply for the NDIS.
What isn't covered by the NDIS?
Among other things, the NDIS does not cover costs for items and services such as:
- Medication
- General medical and dental services and treatment
- Specialist services
- Hospital care
- Surgery
- Rehabilitation.
Where can I find more resources on ABI?
Whether you're living with ABI or supporting a loved one, these Australian resources offer helpful information, recovery strategies and family support:
The information provided in this article is general information only and based on current information at the date of publication. In addition to considering the information shared in this article, Mable encourages you to conduct your own research and seek independent advice about managing life with an acquired brain injury.