Your NDIS Plan Review Is Coming Up Here’s How to Prepare

Your NDIS plan review can feel like one of the most stressful parts of being a participant or it can feel like one of the most empowering. The difference almost always comes down to preparation.Whether it’s your first review or your fifth, this guide will help you walk in confident, informed, and ready to advocate for what you need.

What Is an NDIS Plan Review?

Your NDIS plan is reviewed regularly typically once a year to assess how your supports are going and whether your plan still reflects your current needs and goals. This is your opportunity to:

• Report on what’s been working and what hasn’t
• Update your goals based on where you are now
• Request changes to your funded supports
• Raise anything that’s changed in your life or health

The NDIA will use this review to determine the funding in your next plan. That’s why it’s so important to go into it prepared.

Step 1: Review Your Current Plan Honestly

Before your planning meeting, go through your current plan carefully. Ask yourself:

• Did I use all my funded hours? If not, why?
• Were there supports I needed that weren’t funded?
• Have my goals changed or evolved?
• Has my disability, health, or life situation changed since my last plan?
• Are there goals I’ve achieved that I want to build on?

If you’re a carer or family member involved in the planning process, this is a good time to document your observations too, such as how much informal support you’re providing, any changes you’ve noticed, and what’s been missing.

Step 2: Gather Evidence

Evidence is everything in an NDIS review. The NDIA needs to see that your requested supports are reasonable and necessary and that means documentation. Useful evidence includes:

• Reports from your support workers or provider: Progress notes, skill development updates, and observations about your needs
• Letters from your treating professionals: GP, specialist, physiotherapist, occupational therapist, speech pathologist, psychologist, etc.
• Your own statement: A written summary of your daily life, your challenges, your goals, and what support you need (this is powerful and often underestimated)
• Informal carer statements: If a family member provides significant unpaid support, this should be documented
• Functional assessments: Particularly if your needs have changed significantly

In Sydney, there are allied health providers experienced in writing NDIS specific reports. If you need a functional assessment or updated reports, allow plenty of time to organise these before your review meeting.

Step 3: Know Your Goals Going In

The NDIA organises your plan around your goals so being clear about what they are is essential. Your goals don’t have to be grand or perfectly articulated. They just need to be genuine. Think about:

• Daily living: What do you want to be able to do more independently at home?
• Health and wellbeing:  What supports do you need to stay well and safe?
• Social and community: Where do you want to participate more? What connections matter to you?
• Employment and study: Are these relevant to your life right now?
• Relationships: What matters in terms of your family and social connections?

The more specific you can be, the more useful your goals will be in driving your support planning.

Step 4: Consider Whether Your Provider Is Still the Right Fit

Your plan review is also a natural moment to reflect on whether your current supports are serving you well. If you’ve been working with a provider and it’s not feeling right the workers aren’t consistent, the communication is poor, or you’re just not making progress toward your goals, this is the time to consider a change.

You have full choice and control under the NDIS. You can change providers at any time, and you’re never obligated to stay with someone who isn’t working for you.

Step 5: Prepare for the Meeting Itself

Plan reviews can happen in person, over the phone, or via video. Wherever possible, we’d encourage you to have someone with you, a family member, support coordinator, or advocate who understands your situation and can help you communicate clearly.

Tips for the meeting:

• Speak plainly about your challenges. This isn’t the time to minimise. If something is hard, say so.
• Reference your evidence. Mention any reports or letters you’ve submitted.
• Push back if something doesn’t feel right. You can request an explanation and, if needed, a review of the NDIA’s decision.
• Ask about anything you don’t understand. You’re entitled to clarity.

My Carers Can Help You Prepare

At My Carers, we work alongside participants and families at every stage of the NDIS journey including plan reviews. We can provide:

• Progress reports and support notes from your support workers to accompany your review
• Guidance on documenting your needs and communicating effectively with the NDIA
• Connections to support coordinators if you need someone to help manage the process
• Continuity of support while your new plan is being processed

If your review is coming up and you’re not sure where to start, we’re happy to have a conversation. No obligation, just a genuine conversation about where you’re at.


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