NDIS Plan Review: How to Get More From Your Next Review

Your NDIS plan review is one of the most important events in your NDIS journey. It is your chance to ensure your plan reflects your current needs, adjust your funding, and set goals for the year ahead. Many participants leave plan reviews with less funding than they need — simply because they were not properly prepared. This guide will help you get it right.

What Is an NDIS Plan Review?

An NDIS plan review is a meeting with an NDIS planner or Local Area Coordinator to assess your current plan and create a new one. Plan reviews typically happen every 12 months, though they can happen sooner if your circumstances change significantly.

At a plan review, you can:

• Request more funding for supports that were underfunded
• Add new support categories
• Change your plan management type
• Update your goals
• Report on how your current funding has been used

Start Preparing at Least 3 Months Before

Do not leave your plan review preparation to the week before. Start gathering evidence and documenting your needs at least three months in advance.

Step 1: Review Your Current Plan Thoroughly

Before your review, look at your current plan and ask:

• Which budgets have I used fully? Which did I not use?
• Were there supports I needed but could not access because of insufficient funding?
• Have my needs changed since the last plan?
• Are there new goals I want to work towards?

Step 2: Gather Fresh Evidence

Updated reports from your treating professionals carry significant weight. Collect:

• Recent GP or specialist reports
• Occupational therapy functional assessment (updated within the last 12 months)
• Speech pathology, physiotherapy, or psychology reports if applicable
• Hospital records or any significant health events since your last plan

Make sure reports specifically describe functional impact — how your disability affects your daily activities — not just the diagnosis.

Step 3: Write Down Your Goals

Come to your plan review with clearly written goals. These should be specific and meaningful to your life — not vague statements. For example:

• Vague: “I want to be more independent”
• Better: “I want to be able to prepare my own meals three times a week with minimal support within 12 months”

Think about short-term goals (this year) and long-term goals (next 3–5 years).

Step 4: Document Unmet Needs

If your current plan did not fully meet your needs, write this down with specific examples. For instance: “My personal care funding ran out in month 9, meaning I went without support for 3 months” or “I needed community nursing twice a week but could only afford once.”

Step 5: Bring a Support Person

Bring a trusted family member, carer, advocate, or your Support Coordinator to the review meeting. They can help you remember things, speak up if you forget something, and provide additional perspective on your support needs.

Step 6: Know What to Ask For

Be specific about what you are requesting. If you want more personal care hours, say so and explain why. If you want to add Support Coordination, request it explicitly. Planners may not volunteer additional funding — you need to ask.

What If My New Plan Is Worse Than My Old One?

You can request an internal review within 3 months if your new plan does not meet your needs. You do not have to accept a plan that is worse than your previous one. An NDIS advocate can support you through a review.

How Gentle Grid Can Help

Our Support Coordination team helps participants in Ballarat prepare for plan reviews — gathering evidence, writing goal statements, attending meetings, and advocating for appropriate funding. We have helped many participants achieve significantly improved plans through thorough preparation.

Contact us to discuss plan review support, or call (03) 9961 6007.