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 500 words. 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:
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.
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).
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 worked across government, community, and education settings to deliver policy and system reforms that improve outcomes for people with disability. My experience involves translating policy into practice, drawing on stakeholder insights, evidence, and a strong understanding of operational environments. I have led initiatives across child development, disability, health, and human services, aligning policy, funding, and service delivery and navigating complex government processes. The APS6 Policy Officer role, responsible for progressing policy and system improvements to support the children’s pathway, provides an opportunity to apply this experience on a national scale.
As a Senior Policy Officer in a cross-jurisdictional child development project, I redesigned 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 disconnects and inconsistencies, using these findings to guide the redesign. I developed and implemented an engagement plan that brought together clinicians, educators, disability advocates, and families. Through 40 workshops and interviews, I gathered insights into barriers and success factors, which informed a new coordinated assessment and referral approach. I worked collaboratively with operational leads to co-design and pilot the model across two regions, embedding processes for feedback and continuous improvement. The initiative increased early intervention access rates and reduced referral times, and the model was later adopted statewide.
In a national social policy reform taskforce, I coordinated intergovernmental work to improve disability and child wellbeing outcomes through joint policy and funding arrangements. This required navigating sensitive cross-agency relationships due to differing jurisdictional priorities, funding pressures, and varying levels of policy maturity across sectors. I developed an options paper to guide ministerial decision-making on a new joint funding model, synthesising legal, financial, operational, and stakeholder perspectives into a single framework. Engagement with peak disability and family organisations began early in the process, where I tested assumptions and integrated insights from lived experience to ensure systemic challenges were addressed. I facilitated negotiations with state and territory officials, using problem-solving and effective communication skills to resolve contested issues through evidence-based analysis and practical solutions. The endorsed model is now being implemented nationally, improving collaboration across sectors and expanding service access for families.
I have demonstrated experience in cross-sector reform and in delivering improvements that enhance outcomes for children and families. This work has required strategic focus, coordination across systems, and effective stakeholder engagement. I am committed to applying these capabilities to the children’s pathway reforms so that children and their families have better access, stronger support, and lasting outcomes.
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.
