How to Prepare for Your NDIS Plan Review (So You Actually Get What You Need)
Your NDIS plan review is coming up and you want to make sure you get it right. That's smart. Because what you do before your review has a direct impact on what ends up in your next plan.
Too many people go into their review unprepared, and they walk out with a plan that doesn't match their life. Not because the system is trying to short-change them, but because they didn't have the right evidence or couldn't explain what they needed in the way the NDIA expects to hear it.
This guide walks you through exactly what to do before your review so you walk in confident and walk out with a plan that works.
Why Your Plan Review Matters
Your plan review is your chance to tell the NDIA how things are going and what needs to change. It's where funding decisions are made for the next 12 months (or sometimes longer).
If your current plan is working well, a review keeps it on track. If things have changed, gotten harder, or your needs have grown, a review is where you ask for more support.
But the NDIA makes decisions based on evidence, not just what you say in the meeting. So preparation is everything.
When Does Your Plan Review Happen?
Most NDIS plans run for 12 months, though some are longer. You'll be contacted by the NDIA or your Local Area Coordinator (LAC) when your review is coming up.
You can also request a plan review at any time if your circumstances have changed significantly. This is called a "change of circumstances" review. Examples include:
- Your disability or health condition has changed
- Your living situation has changed (you've moved, or your carer is no longer available)
- Your current supports aren't meeting your needs
- You've had a major life event (starting a job, having a baby, losing a family member)
If you think you need a review before your scheduled one, talk to your support coordinator or LAC about requesting one.
The Preparation Checklist
Here's what to gather before your review meeting. Start at least four to six weeks before your review date, not the night before.
1. Review Your Current Plan
Pull out your current plan and go through it line by line. For each funding category, ask yourself:
- Did I use this funding? If not, why not?
- Was the amount enough, too much, or too little?
- Did the supports I purchased actually help me work towards my goals?
If you have a support coordinator, they can do this with you and provide a detailed report.
2. Gather Evidence From Your Providers
Reports from your providers are some of the strongest evidence you can bring to a review. Ask each of your providers for a letter or report that covers:
- What services they've provided
- What progress you've made
- What challenges remain
- What they recommend going forward
- Whether they think your current funding is adequate
For therapists (OTs, physios, psychologists, speech pathologists), ask for a functional assessment that describes how your disability affects your daily life. The NDIA responds well to functional evidence that shows what you can and can't do independently.
3. Write Down Your Goals
Your NDIS plan is built around your goals. Before your review, think about:
- What goals did you set last time? Have you made progress?
- What new goals do you want to set?
- What supports do you need to reach those goals?
Goals don't need to be formal or complicated. "I want to be able to get to my medical appointments independently" or "I want to join a social group in my area" are perfectly good NDIS goals.
The more specific you can be, the easier it is for the NDIA to fund supports that match.
4. Document Your Daily Life
This one is often overlooked but it's powerful. Write down or have someone help you document a typical day or week in your life. Include:
- What help you need to get through the day
- What tasks are hard or impossible without support
- How long things take you compared to someone without your disability
- What happens on bad days vs good days
The NDIA needs to understand the real impact of your disability on your daily life. A written account, even a simple one, gives them that picture.
5. Track What's Changed
If your needs have increased since your last plan, document the changes with as much detail as you can:
- New medical diagnoses or conditions
- Hospitalisations or emergency department visits
- Changes in your mental health
- Loss of informal support (a carer who can no longer help, family who has moved away)
- Changes in housing or employment
- New equipment or technology needs
Bring any medical letters, hospital discharge summaries, or specialist reports that back up these changes.
6. Note What Didn't Work
This is just as important as what did work. If a provider was poor, a support wasn't helpful, or a piece of equipment didn't suit you, say so. The NDIA needs to know what to fund differently, not just what to fund again.
During Your Review Meeting
Bring a Support Person
You have the right to bring someone with you to your plan review. This could be a family member, friend, advocate, or your support coordinator. Having someone there who knows your situation can help you cover everything and provides a second pair of ears.
At NIR, we attend plan reviews with our clients to make sure nothing gets missed and the conversation stays focused on what actually matters.
Be Honest About Bad Days
People tend to downplay their difficulties in formal meetings. It's human nature. But your plan review isn't the time to put on a brave face.
If you're asked "how are you going?", don't say "fine" if you're not. Talk about your worst days, not just your best ones. The NDIA needs to fund for the full picture of your life, including the hard parts.
Ask Questions
If the person conducting your review says something you don't understand, ask them to explain. If they suggest reducing funding in an area, ask why and provide your evidence for why it's needed.
You're not being difficult by asking questions. You're being an active participant in your own plan.
After Your Review
Once your new plan arrives, read through it carefully. Check that:
- Your goals are recorded correctly
- Funding amounts match what was discussed
- All the supports you need are included
- The plan duration is what you expected
If something isn't right, you have options. You can request an internal review within 3 months of the decision, or ask your support coordinator to help you understand why something was changed.
What to Do If Your Plan Gets Reduced
It happens, and it's stressful. If your new plan has less funding than you expected or needed, here's what to do:
- Don't panic. You have the right to challenge the decision.
- Request an internal review. You have 3 months from the date of the decision to do this. Put your request in writing.
- Gather more evidence. If your review didn't go well because evidence was missing, get those provider reports and assessments done now.
- Get an advocate. Free NDIS advocacy services exist in every state. They can help you through the review process.
- Talk to your support coordinator. They can help you understand what happened and build a stronger case.
If the internal review doesn't resolve things, you can take your case to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT). This is a more formal process, but it's your right.
The 2026 Planning Changes: What's Coming
From 1 July 2026, the NDIS is introducing a new planning framework. This will change how plans are created and reviewed.
The key changes include new support needs assessments conducted by trained NDIA workers, a shift towards understanding what support you need (rather than just measuring limitations), and more flexibility in how you use your funding.
The changes are being rolled out gradually for adults (18 and over), and you'll be contacted when it's your turn. Your current plan stays in place until then.
Having a support coordinator during this transition will be especially helpful, as they can explain what the changes mean for your specific situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a plan review meeting take?
Usually between 45 minutes and 90 minutes, depending on your situation's complexity.
Can my plan review be done over the phone?
Yes. Plan reviews can be done in person, over the phone, or by video call. Choose whatever works best for you.
What if I miss my plan review?
If you don't respond to your review invitation, your plan may be rolled over as-is, or it might lapse. Contact the NDIA or your LAC as soon as possible if you've missed your review window.
Can I request specific dollar amounts?
You can tell the NDIA what supports you need and provide quotes. They make the final funding decision, but clear evidence and specific requests give them something concrete to work with.
Need Help Preparing for Your Plan Review?
A good support coordinator makes plan review preparation straightforward. At NIR | Navigator In Reach, we help our clients gather evidence, write reports, set goals, and walk into reviews with everything they need.
If your review is coming up and you want to make sure you're ready, book a free intro call and let's talk about your plan.
Ready to Make Sense of Your NDIS Plan?
Whether your plan just arrived or your review is coming up, we help NDIS participants across Adelaide and South Australia actually use their funding. No confusing jargon, no run-around, just clear support from a registered provider who gets it.
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