Understanding your NDIS plan is like navigating a personalized roadmap to support and independence. From the initial access request to the important first plan meeting and ongoing reviews, each step is crucial. Our guide simplifies this process, empowering you to confidently navigate your journey towards achieving your goals.

Be sure to read to the end for important links to the NDIS website to help you get started.

Step 1 - Access request form 

This form is the first step in applying for NDIS support. It collects essential information about a person’s disability, how it impacts their daily life, and any existing support they receive. Once completed, the form is submitted to the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA), which evaluates the information provided to determine eligibility for NDIS services and supports. You may also be required to provide supporting documentation to assess your eligibility for an NDIS plan. 

Step 2 - First Plan Meeting

The NDIS first planning meeting is a crucial step in the process of accessing support and services through the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) in Australia. 

Here's what you need to know about the meeting and what typically happens:

1. Purpose: The primary purpose of the first planning meeting is to develop an individualised plan tailored to meet your specific needs and goals.
2. Preparation: Before the meeting, it's helpful to think about your current supports, goals, and aspirations. Consider what you need assistance with on a daily basis and any long-term goals you want to achieve.
3. Who's Involved: The meeting usually involves you (the participant), a representative from the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA), and anyone else you wish to include, such as family members, carers, or advocates.
4. Discussion Topics: During the meeting, you'll discuss various aspects of your life, including your disability, current supports, goals, aspirations, and any challenges you face. The NDIA representative will ask questions to gather information and understand your needs better.
5. Developing the Plan: Based on the information gathered during the discussion, the NDIA representative will work with you to develop your NDIS plan. This plan outlines the supports and services you'll receive through the NDIS to help you achieve your goals and improve your quality of life.
6. Review and Agreement: Once the plan is developed, it will be reviewed together to ensure it accurately reflects your needs and goals. You'll have the opportunity to ask questions, provide feedback, and make any necessary adjustments. Once you're satisfied with the plan, you'll need to sign off on it to indicate your agreement.

The first planning meeting is an essential step in accessing NDIS support, and it's essential to actively participate in the process to ensure your plan effectively supports your needs and goals.

NDIS - Implementation meeting 

After the First Plan meeting, the NDIA will start to finalise your plan funding, and  implement your plan, which may involve arranging services, funding, or connecting you with providers who can offer the support outlined in your plan.

Your NDIS plan is not set in stone and can be reviewed and adjusted over time as your needs and circumstances change. You can request a review of your plan if you feel it no longer meets your needs or if there are significant changes in your life.

The NDIS Implementation meeting is when everyone gets together to make your NDIS plan real. You, your support coordinator, and people from the services you need will chat about how to put your plan into action. This means figuring out when things will happen, who will do what, and how to solve any problems that might pop up. The goal is to make sure everyone understands what to do, so you can get the support you need to reach your goals. With clear plans and notes to follow up on, this meeting sets the stage for making your NDIS plan work smoothly.

NDIS plan assistance & Monitoring 

NDIS Plan Assistance and Monitoring is all about helping you understand and manage your NDIS plan. You might have a support coordinator or Local Area Coordinator (LAC) who works with you to make sure you get the right support. They're like your guide, helping you figure out what your plan means and how to use it. Together, you'll look at your goals and the supports in your plan to see if they're working well for you.

Once your plan is up and running, it's important to keep an eye on things. This means checking in regularly to see if the supports you're getting are helping you reach your goals. If something isn't working, your support coordinator or Local Area Coordinator (LAC) can help you figure out what to do next. They'll also help you prepare for your plan review, which is when you and the NDIS look at your progress and make any changes needed. With their help, you can make sure your NDIS plan stays on track and continues to meet your needs.

Scheduled Review 

The NDIS Scheduled Review is a meeting that happens regularly to check how things are going with your NDIS plan. During the review, you and your NDIS representative will talk about what's working well and what might need to change. You'll discuss any progress you've made towards your goals and if there are any new goals you want to work on.

The purpose of the review is to make sure your NDIS plan still meets your needs and helps you live the life you want. If there are any changes needed, like adding new supports or adjusting existing ones, this is the time to talk about it. Your NDIS representative will help you understand your options and guide you through the process. By keeping your plan up-to-date through scheduled reviews, you can ensure that you're getting the support you need to thrive.

Scheduled review & plan reviews

There are a few different types of reviews that can happen during your NDIS plan. 

Scheduled Review: A scheduled review is a regular check-in, to evaluate how your NDIS plan is working for you. It's a routine assessment to ensure that your plan continues to meet your evolving needs and goals. The scheduled review may involve discussing progress, any changes in your circumstances, and whether adjustments to your plan are necessary to better support you.

Plan Review: A plan review is a broader assessment that occurs when significant changes occur in your life or circumstances, or if you request a review outside of the scheduled time frame. Plan reviews may be triggered by milestones like achieving goals, changes in health or disability status, or changes in living arrangements. During a plan review, your entire NDIS plan is reassessed, and adjustments are made as needed to ensure it adequately addresses your current situation and goals.

Plan Extensions: Sometimes, your support needs may continue beyond the initial plan duration. In such cases, you may request a plan extension from the NDIS. This could be due to ongoing requirements for support services or changes in your circumstances that necessitate an extension of your plan's duration. The NDIA will evaluate your request and may extend your plan accordingly to ensure continuous support.

In short, a scheduled review or plan review is a routine check-in to monitor the ongoing effectiveness of your NDIS plan, ensuring it aligns with your evolving needs. Meanwhile, a plan extension may be requested to prolong support beyond the initial duration, accommodating ongoing requirements or changes in your circumstances.

Important links to the NDIS to help you get started:

https://www.ndis.gov.au/how-apply-ndis/what-access-request-form 
https://www.ndis.gov.au/participants/creating-your-plan/planning-meeting-checklist
https://www.ndis.gov.au/participants/creating-your-plan/preparing-your-planning-meeting
https://improvements.ndis.gov.au/participants/using-your-plan/your-plan-implementation-meeting