Your NDIS plan doesn’t last forever. Most plans run for one to three years, then you have a plan review. Reviews are how you get continued funding, get changes if things have changed, and make sure your plan still fits your life. Going in unprepared usually means coming out with the same plan when you needed something different.
What Happens at an NDIS Plan Review
The NDIA usually contacts you a few weeks before your plan ends. They’ll book a review meeting. This is similar to your initial planning meeting but with the difference that you’ve now had the plan running for a while and have evidence about what’s working and what isn’t. Reviews can take place in person, over the phone, or via video call.
Doing a Stocktake Before Your Review
Before your meeting, do a stocktake. Pull out your last plan and look at the goals you set. Have you made progress on them? Why or why not? Were the supports in your plan enough? Were any of them unused? What new things have come up since the plan started? Most people only look at their plan when something goes wrong. The few weeks before a review is the time to read it properly.
Gathering Evidence for Your Review
Gather evidence. Reports from your providers (we provide these to our participants on request). Reports from any allied health professionals you’ve seen. Notes about how your situation has changed. If your needs have increased, this is when to demonstrate it. If your goals have shifted, this is when to talk about it. The NDIA bases decisions on documented evidence more than on your description in the meeting.
Common Reasons Participants Request Changes
Common reasons people seek changes at review include their condition has progressed and they need more support, their living situation has changed (moving out of family home, family carer becoming unwell), they’re starting something new like work or study, they’ve identified gaps in the original plan that didn’t get addressed, or they have new diagnoses or equipment needs.
Don’t Undersell What You Need
What you don’t want to do is undersell what you need. A lot of participants we’ve worked with go into reviews and try to be polite, downplay their needs, and end up with a plan that’s smaller than the one they had. The NDIA bases your funding on what you can demonstrate. If you don’t ask for what you need, you don’t get it. Politeness in a planning meeting isn’t rewarded with extra funding. It’s rewarded with less funding.
Getting Help to Prepare in Mount Druitt and Blacktown
If you have a support coordinator, they should help you prepare. If you don’t have one, your LAC can sometimes help. Some people pay for an NDIS planning specialist or use an advocacy service. The Mount Druitt and Blacktown areas have a few local advocacy services that can help with reviews. Disability Advocacy NSW is one option. Westmead Disability Information and Advocacy is another.
Preparation Tips That Actually Help
Preparation tips that actually help. Print your current plan and highlight what worked, what didn’t, and what you want changed. Make a list of new needs that have come up since the last plan. Get fresh reports from your current providers and from any health professionals you see regularly. Decide what your top three priorities are for the new plan, so if the meeting goes off track you can pull it back to what matters most.
Bringing Support to Your Review
Bring someone with you again if it helps. A family member, friend, or advocate. Two heads in the meeting is better than one. They can take notes, prompt you on things you forget, and sometimes catch things the planner says that you missed.
After the Review Meeting
After the meeting, the NDIA drafts a new plan. You should see a draft before it’s finalised. If something’s missing or wrong, say so before approving. Once approved, the new plan starts and your funding continues from there. The transition is usually smooth but if there’s a gap between plans, contact your LAC straight away.
Requesting an Unscheduled Review
Plans can also be reviewed early if something major changes. If you have a sudden change in circumstances (an illness, an accident, a family situation that shifts your support needs), you can request an unscheduled plan review. You don’t have to wait until the scheduled review date. Unscheduled reviews can take a few months to organise, so if something has changed, request the review early rather than waiting until you’re in crisis.
A Note on Longer Plans
The NDIA has been moving toward longer plans for stable participants. If your situation isn’t likely to change much, you might end up with a two or three year plan. This is good in some ways (less paperwork) but means you have to think more carefully about what you’re going to need over a longer period. If you’re getting a longer plan, build in some buffer for things you can’t predict yet.
Reviews can be stressful but they’re an opportunity. Approach them as your chance to get your plan right for the next year or two. Prepare. Speak up. Don’t accept less than you need.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often do NDIS plan reviews happen?
Most plans run for one to three years before a scheduled review, though this varies based on your individual circumstances and how stable your situation is.
Can I request an early NDIS plan review?
Yes. If a major change happens (illness, accident, a shift in your living situation) you can request an unscheduled review rather than waiting for the scheduled date.
What evidence should I bring to an NDIS plan review?
Reports from your current providers and allied health professionals, notes on how your needs have changed, and a clear list of your top priorities for the new plan.
What happens if my NDIS plan review goes wrong?
You should see a draft plan before it’s finalised and can raise corrections then. If the final decision still doesn’t reflect your needs, you can request an internal review.
Who can help me prepare for an NDIS plan review in Western Sydney?
A support coordinator if you have one, your LAC, or local advocacy services such as Disability Advocacy NSW and Westmead Disability Information and Advocacy.
