Your NDIS planning meeting determines what funding and supports you receive. Thorough preparation dramatically improves outcomes. Many participants enter planning unprepared, resulting in inadequate plans requiring immediate reviews. This comprehensive guide ensures you're ready to advocate effectively for your needs.
Documents to Bring
Gather comprehensive documentation proving disability impact and support needs. Medical reports from specialists describing your diagnosis, functional limitations, and treatment recommendations provide crucial evidence. Allied health reports from therapists demonstrating current function, progress, and future support needs show NDIA what assistance you require. Current support documentation including carer statements, support worker logs, or service agreements demonstrate existing support levels.
Financial records of current disability-related expenses help planners understand costs you're already managing. School or workplace assessments for children and working-age participants illustrate functional impact in different environments. Bring originals or certified copies — planners may request to sight documentation.
Know Your Support Needs in Detail
Planners ask specific questions about support needs. Prepare detailed answers describing exactly how disability affects daily function. Instead of vague statements like "I need help with personal care," specify "I need assistance showering every morning because I can't stand safely or reach my back. This takes approximately 30 minutes with one support worker."
Detail frequency and duration for each support type — daily tasks, weekly activities, monthly commitments. Calculate approximate hours needed weekly. Be honest and specific — understating needs results in inadequate funding, whilst exaggerating creates credibility issues when unable to use allocated supports.
Think About a Typical Week
Map a typical week documenting when you need support, what type of support, how long it takes, and how many staff are required. This visual representation helps planners understand realistic support requirements and provides concrete data for funding decisions.
Set Clear, Measurable Goals
The NDIS funds supports helping you achieve goals. Vague goals like "be more independent" don't give planners enough direction. Specific, measurable goals like "develop cooking skills to prepare three simple meals independently within 12 months" clearly indicate needed supports (occupational therapy for skill development, support workers for initial supervision).
Set short-term (within 12 months), medium-term (1-3 years), and long-term (3+ years) goals across different life areas: daily living, community participation, employment or education, health and wellbeing, relationships, and living arrangements. Goals should be realistic yet aspirational — stretching capabilities without being unattainable.
Understand Reasonable and Necessary
All funded supports must be reasonable and necessary. This means they must relate to your disability (not general health or non-disability needs), help you pursue goals (not just maintain current function forever), represent value for money (most cost-effective option), and be likely effective (evidence suggests they'll work). Understand these criteria and frame requests accordingly.
If planners question whether something's reasonable and necessary, provide evidence. Therapist recommendations, specialist letters, or research demonstrating effectiveness strengthen your case.
Know What Questions to Expect
Planners typically ask: How does your disability affect daily life? What supports do you currently receive and from whom? What can you do independently versus what requires assistance? What are your living arrangements? Who provides informal support? What are your goals for the next 12 months? What supports do you need to achieve these goals? What have you tried before? What worked or didn't work?
Practice answers beforehand. Bring notes if worried about forgetting important details during the meeting. It's fine to refer to prepared information — planners prefer accurate details over incomplete recollection.
Bring Support People
Bring family, carers, support coordinators, or advocates who know your needs well. Support people can corroborate your descriptions, remember details you forget, take notes during the meeting, and provide emotional support. However, ensure support people don't speak over you unless you lack capacity to participate. The NDIA wants to hear from participants themselves when possible.
After the Meeting
Your plan arrives within 90 days (often sooner). Review it carefully against your stated needs and goals. If funding seems inadequate or missing supports you discussed, request an internal review within 3 months. Reviews often result in increased funding if you provide evidence supporting requests.
Don't just accept inadequate plans because the process feels overwhelming. Persistence and evidence secure appropriate funding — many participants receive significant increases through review processes.
Need Support Navigating NDIS Planning?
Life Assist Abilities Support helps participants across Canberra prepare for planning and access appropriate supports.
Get in TouchFrequently Asked Questions
How long do planning meetings take?
Initial planning meetings typically take 1-2 hours depending on complexity. Plan reviews often take less time since planners already have previous information. Allow sufficient time and don't schedule other commitments immediately after in case discussions run long.
Can planning meetings happen over phone or video?
Yes, especially since COVID. Phone and video planning are common. Some participants prefer face-to-face for better rapport building. Request your preference when scheduling. In-person meetings may provide better opportunity to present documentation and demonstrate functional limitations.
What if I get emotional during the planning meeting?
This is completely normal and planners expect it. Discussing disability impact and support needs is inherently emotional. Planners understand this. Take breaks if needed. Having a support person present helps manage emotions whilst ensuring all important information is conveyed.
Should I request specific dollar amounts in planning?
Focus on describing needs and goals rather than requesting specific funding amounts. Planners determine appropriate funding based on described needs. However, if currently purchasing supports privately, share those costs so planners understand reasonable pricing for your requirements.
What if the planner seems to be rushing or not listening?
Politely redirect them to important points they're missing. Say something like "I want to ensure we cover..." or "This is really important to my situation..." If the planner remains dismissive, document your concerns and include them when reviewing your plan, noting what wasn't adequately discussed.