What is an NDIS plan review?
An NDIS plan review is a meeting with an NDIA planner or Local Area Coordinator (LAC) where your existing plan is assessed and a new plan is developed.
Plan reviews happen
- Annually (scheduled review at the end of your current plan)
- When your needs change significantly (unscheduled review)
- When you request one (if your current plan is not meeting your needs)
The outcome of your review is a new NDIS plan. This might have more funding, less funding, or roughly the same — depending on your evidence and how your needs have changed.
Preparation is the single biggest factor in getting a good outcome. Participants who come to reviews with strong evidence and clear goals consistently get better plans than those who come unprepared.
Bring someone with you
Many participants bring a family member, support coordinator, or disability advocate to their plan review. Having someone there who knows your situation can help you stay focused and make sure nothing is missed. If you don't have anyone, contact a free disability advocacy service — they can sometimes send someone to attend with you.
Start preparing 3 months before your review
Your review date is on your NDIS plan. Mark it in your calendar and start preparing at least 3 months in advance. Here is why:
- Gathering reports from therapists, doctors, and providers takes time
- Writing your goals and support needs clearly takes reflection
- Functional capacity assessments (if needed) have long waiting lists
- Allied health reports often have lead times of 4–8 weeks
What to do 3 months out
- Contact your occupational therapist, speech pathologist, physiotherapist, and any other therapists to request progress reports
- Ask your support coordinator (if you have one) to start compiling a review report
- Review your current plan: which supports did you use? Which didn't work? What was missing?
- Start writing down your goals for the next plan period
What evidence to gather
Strong evidence is the foundation of a good plan review outcome.
Functional reports from allied health professionals — OT functional assessments are the gold standard. An OT assessment documents what you can and cannot do in everyday life, how your disability affects you, and what supports you need. This carries significant weight with NDIA planners.
Progress reports from your therapists — All therapists providing support should provide a report covering: what they have been working on, your progress, and what ongoing support is recommended.
Provider reports — Ask your major providers for a summary of supports delivered and how those supports are meeting your needs.
Your own statement — Write a statement in your own words about:
- How your disability affects your daily life
- What supports you currently receive and why they are necessary
- What your goals are for the next 12 months
- What is not currently in your plan that you need
Medical evidence — If your condition has changed or a new diagnosis is relevant, get a letter from your doctor or specialist.
How to write effective goals
Your NDIS plan is built around your goals. Vague goals lead to vague plans and inadequate funding. Specific goals lead to better outcomes.
Weak goal: "I want to be more independent."
Strong goal: "I want to develop the skills to prepare simple meals independently, with the support of an occupational therapist and a support worker for 2 hours per week over the next 12 months."
Write goals that are
- Specific about what you want to achieve
- Connected to the supports you will need
- Realistic for a 12-month timeframe
- Meaningful to your life (not what you think the NDIA wants to hear)
Categories of goals to think about
- Daily living (cooking, cleaning, personal care)
- Social participation (community activities, friendships)
- Employment and education
- Health and wellbeing
- Housing and accommodation
Having 4–6 well-written goals across different areas of your life gives planners a clear picture of what supports are needed and why.
What to expect at the review meeting
Plan review meetings can be held in person, by phone, or by video. They usually take 1–2 hours.
Before the meeting
- Send all your evidence (reports, statements, therapist letters) to the NDIA at least 2 weeks before the meeting
- Prepare a list of the supports you want funded and why
- Bring a support person — a family member, support coordinator, or disability advocate
During the meeting
- The planner will ask about your daily life, goals, and current supports
- Refer to your evidence: "My OT report from [date] details why I need [support]"
- If you don't understand a question, ask for clarification
- You don't have to agree to anything on the day — you can ask for time to consider
After the meeting
- You will receive your new plan in the mail within a few weeks
- Review it carefully — check that all supports you discussed are included
- If anything is missing or incorrect, contact the NDIA immediately
What to do if your plan is reduced
If your new plan has less funding than you expected, you have options:
Request an internal review — You have 3 months from receiving your plan to request an internal review. This is a free process where a different NDIA officer reviews the decision. Submit any additional evidence that supports your case.
Apply to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) — If the internal review does not go in your favour, you can apply to the AAT for an independent review. This is also free. Many AAT decisions go in participants' favour, especially with good evidence.
Get support
- Disability advocacy organisations can support you through the review process (often free)
- Your support coordinator can help you navigate an internal review
- Disability Rights Advocacy Service and Disability Connect are free advocacy services
Key tip: Always request a review in writing and keep records of everything — dates of contact, names of staff, what was said.