If you’re applying for a role with the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) to support the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), one key part of your application will be your pitch. Many applicants find this challenging, how do you tell your career story and show you’re the right fit, all in 500 words or less?
This post provides guidance on structuring an NDIA pitch and what to include. We’ve also included a complete example pitch for an APS6 Policy Officer role to show how it all comes together.
What is an NDIA pitch?
For NDIA roles, you will often be asked to submit a pitch of up to 500. This replaces the traditional selection criteria response.
Your pitch should show:
Why you are suited to the role
How your skills and experience match what the NDIA is seeking
How you work and the value you can bring to the team
Specific examples of work that demonstrate key capabilities
NDIA pitches should be written in clear, direct and professional language, first person, active voice, and structured logically.
Structuring your pitch
A strong pitch typically follows this structure:
1. Introductory paragraph
Briefly outline your career background and key focus areas.
Mention how your experience relates to the NDIA’s purpose.
Show you understand what the role involves.
2. Two detailed work examples
Use two strong, relevant examples that demonstrate key capabilities.
Structure each example logically: what was the situation, what was your role, what actions did you take, and what outcomes did you achieve.
Highlight skills the NDIA values, such as analytical and conceptual skills, problem solving, communication skills, and the ability to work collaboratively and manage competing priorities (this is relevant to the example pitch written below).
3. Closing paragraph
Reaffirm your capability to support the Agency’s objectives and the work of the relevant branch.
Keep it professional and outcomes focused, no need for flowery language.
Common mistakes to avoid
Listing generic skills without providing clear examples
Using vague statements like I am passionate about helping others
Repeating the job ad or selection criteria without adding value
Failing to show how you deliver results and what value you add
Using NDIA language
When writing your pitch, use some of the same words and themes the NDIA uses in its Candidate Pack and job ads. For example, in some ads you’ll see references to:
drive and initiative
problem solving
analytical and conceptual skills
communication skills
ability to manage competing priorities
understanding of government processes
You don’t need to overuse these terms, but it helps to naturally weave them into your examples where appropriate, and to bold them so its easy for the panel to see where you have applied these capabilities.
Example Pitch — APS6 Policy Officer role
I have delivered system and policy reform across government, community and education settings, experience that reflects the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) purpose to enhance the quality of life for people with disabilities. Throughout my career, I have translated policy into delivery, informed by stakeholder insights, evidence and a strong understanding of operational environments. I have worked across child development, disability, health and human services sectors, leading initiatives that align policy, funding and service delivery and requiring a strong understanding of government processes. This APS6 Policy Officer role, responsible for progressing policy and system improvements to support the children’s pathway, provides an opportunity to apply this experience in a national reform context.
As a Senior Policy Officer in a cross-jurisdictional child development project, I led the redesign of service pathways for children with developmental delay to improve access to early support across education, health and disability services. I analysed service utilisation and outcomes data to identify referral gaps and inconsistencies, applying analytical and conceptual skills to inform the redesign of service pathways. I then developed an engagement plan to gather insights from clinicians, educators, disability advocates and families. Across 40 workshops and interviews, I captured insights into barriers and success factors, which informed a new model for coordinated assessment and referral. I then worked with operational leads to co-design and pilot the new model across two regions, embedding mechanisms for ongoing feedback and continuous improvement. This work led to an increase in early intervention access rates and reduced referral times, outcomes which were later adopted statewide. This project demonstrates my ability to lead complex policy reform, coordinate across sectors and drive improvements in service access for children and families.
In my previous role within a national social policy reform taskforce, I was responsible for coordinating intergovernmental work to improve disability and child wellbeing outcomes through joint policy and funding arrangements. This required navigating highly sensitive cross-agency relationships due to differing jurisdictional priorities, funding pressures and varying levels of policy maturity across sectors. I led the development of an options paper to guide ministerial decision-making on a new joint funding model, synthesising legal, financial, operational and stakeholder perspectives into a single coherent framework. I engaged peak disability and family organisations early in the process, testing assumptions and integrating insights from lived experience to ensure the model addressed systemic challenges. I also facilitated negotiations with state and territory officials, applying problem solving and communication skills to resolve contested issues through evidence-based analysis and practical solutions. The endorsed model is now being implemented nationally which is improving cross-sector collaboration and service access for families. The work reflects my capability in negotiating complex policy outcomes, managing cross-sector relationships and advising at senior government levels.
I have a practical understanding of cross-sector reform and delivering improvements that enhance outcomes for children and families. This work requires strategic focus, coordination across systems and effective stakeholder engagement. I will apply these capabilities to support the children’s pathway reforms and objectives of the Children’s Policy and Pathways Branch.
Final tips
When writing your pitch:
Focus on impact — show what you’ve achieved, not just what you’ve done
Be selective — pick examples that best demonstrate the skills NDIA wants
Keep your language clear and professional
Make sure every sentence adds value — avoid unnecessary words
If you would like expert help with writing a compelling NDIA pitch, we provide pitch writing services and advice on structuring your examples. Request a quote below.
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