NDIS plan review: how to prepare and what to bring
Reviewed by the My Care Link Australia Editorial Team · Last reviewed
A plan reassessment (still widely called a plan review) decides your funding for the next period. The people who do well are not the ones who argue hardest — they are the ones who arrive with evidence and a clear picture of a typical week. Here is how to build both.
Start three months out
Preparation gathered over three months beats anything assembled the night before. Therapy reports take weeks to write, and a report requested in a hurry will usually be thin.
- Three months out: ask your allied health team for updated reports, naming what you need them to cover
- Two months out: start a simple log of supports used, hours, and anything that went wrong without support
- One month out: write your goals for the next plan in your own words
- One week out: collect everything into one folder, paper or digital
The evidence that carries weight
- Recent occupational therapy or functional capacity assessments describing daily tasks
- Therapy reports stating progress, what is still needed, and the recommended frequency
- Behaviour support plans and incident records where relevant
- A support schedule showing the hours actually used across a typical fortnight
- Letters from carers or family describing what happens on a bad day
- Evidence of anything that changed — hospital admissions, a carer becoming unavailable, a move, a new diagnosis
Reports that describe function beat reports that describe diagnosis. Ask your professionals for concrete detail: how long a task takes, how much prompting is needed, what the risk is without support.
Describe a typical week, not your best week
Many people describe their capacity on a good day, out of habit or pride, and end up with a plan that does not match real life. Write out an ordinary week honestly — including the mornings that do not work, the appointments missed, and the tasks a family member quietly absorbs.
If informal support from family is holding things together, say so and say how many hours it takes. Unpaid support that is invisible in the paperwork tends to be invisible in the plan.
What to bring on the day
- Your current plan and a note of what worked and what did not
- The folder of reports and assessments
- Your written goals for the next period
- Your support log or schedule
- Someone you trust — a family member, advocate or support coordinator
- A written list of the questions you want answered
Ask for a copy of any decision in writing, and take your own notes during the conversation.
Common mistakes
- Assuming the planner has read the file — summarise the key points yourself
- Talking about diagnosis rather than daily function
- Leaving out informal family support because it feels like complaining
- Not linking each request to a goal in the plan
- Accepting a decision verbally without getting it in writing
About this guide. Written and reviewed by the My Care Link Australia team as general information for NDIS and aged care participants, families and support coordinators. Read our editorial guidelines and provider review process.
This guide is general educational information only. It is not medical, legal or financial advice. For decisions about your individual situation, please speak with the appropriate qualified professional.
Frequently asked questions
How do I prepare for an NDIS plan review?
Gather recent therapy and functional reports, log the supports you actually use, write your goals for the next period in your own words, and bring someone with you on the day.
What evidence do I need for a plan reassessment?
Evidence that describes daily function — OT or functional capacity assessments, therapy reports with recommended frequency, support schedules, and anything showing changed circumstances.
Can I bring someone to my NDIS plan review?
Yes. A family member, advocate or support coordinator can attend with you, and it is generally a good idea.
How long before my plan ends should I prepare?
About three months. Allied health reports take weeks to arrange, and rushed reports are usually thin on the detail that matters.
What if I disagree with the new plan?
You can request an internal review of the decision within three months, usually supported by additional evidence.
Related services
NDIS Support Coordination
Help understanding and making the most of your NDIS plan.
NDIS Occupational Therapy
OTs help build skills for daily living, work, study and play.
NDIS Psychology
Mental health and wellbeing support from registered psychologists.
NDIS Plan Management
We manage invoices and budgets so you can focus on the support.
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Sources and further reading
Rules, funding amounts and wait times change. We check these primary sources when we update this page, and you should confirm current details directly with them.
- National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)(opens in a new tab) — National Disability Insurance Agency. Official scheme information, eligibility and current processes.
- How to apply for the NDIS(opens in a new tab) — National Disability Insurance Agency. Current access request steps and forms.
- Understanding your NDIS plan budget(opens in a new tab) — National Disability Insurance Agency. How plan management and budget categories work.
- NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission(opens in a new tab) — NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission. Provider registration, practice standards and complaints.
- Services Australia — Disability Support Pension(opens in a new tab) — Services Australia. Income support eligibility and claim process.