What happens at a NDIS planning meeting?

Key points

• Be prepared to answer a number of questions about your circumstances

• Based on the information you provide, the planner will work with you to develop your Participant Statement

• Most plans will be reviewed after 12 months

What happens during your meeting?

The planner will ask lots of detailed questions about your current supports, living situation, activities and relationships, as well as your goals and aspirations. This is why it’s important to prepare this information before your meeting so you don’t forget anything.

Based on the information you provide the planner will work with you to develop your Participant Statement. Together you will turn your goals into a set of actions and develop steps you need to take to achieve them.

If you don’t know what goals you have for the future, that’s ok. Your first plan focuses on what you need right now and gives you some time to think about your longer-term needs and goals, as well as about how the supports you currently receive are working for you and what else you might need to achieve before your scheduled plan review.

During the meeting, you’ll discuss how the NDIA will be able to tell if your plan is working and how to measure your progress. Your planner will go over the different plan management options with you and ask how you would like to manage your funding.

Finally, you and your planner will agree on review dates for your plan. Most plans will be reviewed after 12 months but in some cases it may be sooner.

Things to remember during your planning meeting:

• Write down your planner’s name and contact details

• Take notes so you can refer to what has been discussed later on

• Go through the information you collected and prepared

• Ask about language or cultural support if applicable

• Present any quotes for items/services you are requesting

• Present specialist reports showing therapies or supports recommended

• Advise which plan management option you wish to use (agency managed, plan managed or self managed)

• Remember to tell your planner why you need certain supports

• Confirm when your next plan review will be held

• Make sure all your questions are answered

• Appoint a plan nominee if you wish. This is someone who can make decisions about your plan and supports on your behalf, if necessary

• Remember to take your time and don’t be rushed. This meeting is to determine the supports you need so you want to make sure you get it right

What happens after the meeting?

Once your planner or LAC has all the information they need, they will write a plan of supports for you. The plan will then be sent to the NDIA for approval. Your planner should tell you when you can expect to receive your approved plan and what will happen next.

Generally, once approved, you will receive a paper copy of your plan in the mail, along with a letter with an activation code to link your myGov account to the NDIS Portal.

Once your first plan is finalised you will be contacted by an NDIA representative to discuss how to put it into action. This contact should happen within seven days of you receiving your plan.

Keep in mind that whilst the planner or LAC will work with you in putting the best plan forward to support you in reaching your goals, the decision of what type of supports and how much funding you will receive in your actual plan lies with the NDIA.

The plan you end up with may be slightly different from what was discussed with your planner during the planning meeting.

Not happy with your plan? Click here to find out how you can review it.

Want to know more about what happens in a planning meeting? Leave your questions in the comments below.

Related content:
What to bring to your NDIS planning meeting
Understanding your first NDIS plan
What is support coordination and how can it help me?