An NDIS Plan Review (or Plan Reassessment) is your primary opportunity to evaluate your current supports, update your goals, and secure appropriate funding for the next 12 to 36 months.
Proper preparation is the single most important factor in a successful review meeting. Here, we outline the exact steps and document checklists you should compile to ensure your supports are not cut and your goals are fully funded.
1. Gather Clinical & Support Evidence First
The NDIA makes all funding decisions based on written evidence. Never attend a review meeting without supporting documentation. You should gather:
- Support Coordinator Report: A report outlining how you used your funds, what goals you met, and what barriers you faced.
- Occupational Therapy (OT) Assessments: Critical for home modifications, assistive technology, or changes in daily living capacity.
- Therapy Reports: Written updates from speech therapists, physiotherapists, or psychologists outlining progress and future needs.
- Service Provider Letters: Detailed reviews from companies like Assure Ability detailing the specific hours of support worker assistance you utilized.
2. Review Your Current Plan Spend
The NDIA reviews how much of your current plan budget was spent. If you have “under-spent” funds, the NDIA may cut your future budget. You must explain why funds went unspent:
- Staff shortages: “I had funding for social activities, but was unable to find consistent support workers.”
- Illness or hospital stays: “I was unwell for 2 months, which delayed my therapy schedule.”
- COVID or external delays: “Independent living assessments were delayed by 3 months due to service backlogs.”
Tip: Your Support Coordinator can help write these statements to protect your core funding.
3. Align Supports with Your Life Goals
NDIS funds must connect directly to your plan’s stated goals. For example:
| Support Needed | Goal Statement in Plan |
|---|---|
| Supported Independent Living (SIL) | “I want to build my independence and prepare to move out of my family home.” |
| Travel & Transport Assistance | “I want to learn to travel independently to attend community events.” |
| Community Access Care | “I want to build a social circle and join weekly activity programs.” |
Before your meeting, write down 3 or 4 clear goals that represent what you want to achieve over the next year.
4. Checklist: What to Bring to Your Meeting
Ensure you have copies of the following documents printed or saved digitally for your local area coordinator (LAC) or NDIA planner:
[ ]Copy of your current NDIS plan.[ ]Support Coordinator progress report.[ ]Functional Capacity Assessment (FCA) by your OT (less than 2 years old).[ ]Written quotes from providers for any custom equipment or home updates.[ ]Diary log of your typical weekly schedule, highlighting where care workers assist you.[ ]Contact details of your chosen service providers (e.g., Assure Ability, Unit G3, Yagoona).
If you need help gathering reports or preparing your weekly care log, contact Assure Ability on 1300 263 544. Our intake team regularly supports participants and families during plan reviews.