How to Get Your NDIS Plan Reviewed

If your circumstances change or your current plan isn't meeting your needs, you can request an NDIS plan review. Reviews allow adjustments to funding, supports, or goals between regular plan renewals. Understanding when and how to request reviews ensures you get appropriate support when you need it.

When to Request a Plan Review

You can request a review at any time if your circumstances significantly change. Valid reasons include your disability deteriorating or support needs increasing, new diagnosis affecting support requirements, current funding running out too quickly, hospital discharge requiring additional supports, major life changes like moving, changing employment, or relationship breakdown, or provider gaps preventing you accessing essential services.

Don't wait for your scheduled plan review if your situation has genuinely changed. However, minor issues or requests for small increases may be better addressed through budget flexibility within your current plan.

How to Request a Review

Contact the NDIA to request a review by calling 1800 800 110, through your myplace portal online, or via email to your NDIA planner or LAC. Explain what's changed and why you need a review. Be specific — "my needs have increased" is vague; "I've had a stroke and now need full-time personal care" is clear and actionable.

The NDIA will assess whether your situation warrants an unscheduled review. If approved, they'll schedule a planning meeting. If declined, they'll explain why and may suggest alternatives like budget flexibility or waiting for your scheduled review.

Gathering Evidence

Strong evidence significantly improves review outcomes. Gather reports from doctors, specialists, or therapists documenting changed circumstances, statements from current providers about why current funding is inadequate, your own notes tracking how you've used current funding and gaps in support, quotes or invoices showing actual costs of supports, and evidence of goal progress or barriers preventing progress.

Medical and therapy reports carry significant weight. Ask professionals to specifically address how your needs have changed, what additional supports are reasonable and necessary, and how these supports relate to your NDIS goals.

The Review Process

Once a review is approved, the process mirrors initial planning. You'll attend a planning meeting with an NDIA planner or LAC to discuss changed circumstances and support needs. Bring all evidence and, if helpful, a support person or advocate. Be clear about what you need and why current funding is inadequate.

After the meeting, the NDIA assesses information and makes funding decisions. You'll receive a new plan outlining any changes. This typically takes 2-8 weeks depending on complexity. If you disagree with the outcome, you can request an internal review within 3 months.

What Changes Can Reviews Make?

Reviews can increase funding if needs have increased, decrease funding if needs have reduced or supports were overallocated, add new supports or remove inappropriate ones, adjust goals to reflect changed circumstances, change plan management types, or extend plan duration in special circumstances.

The NDIA only changes what's relevant to the changed circumstances. If you request a review for increased therapy needs, they'll assess therapy funding but won't necessarily review your entire plan.

Common Review Mistakes

Avoid requesting reviews without evidence — claims need supporting documentation. Don't exaggerate needs — be honest about actual support requirements. Explain spending if you've underspent — significant underutilisation may reduce funding. Don't wait until crisis point — request reviews when you first notice inadequacy. And bring evidence to planning meetings — showing up empty-handed weakens your case.