Your first NDIS planning meeting is an important step in understanding your NDIS plan, support needs, and personal goals. If you are new to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), knowing what to expect can help you feel more confident and prepared for the conversation.

An NDIS planning meeting gives you an opportunity to explain your circumstances, discuss the support you need, and identify the goals you would like to work towards. Preparing your information and questions beforehand can help ensure your needs and priorities are clearly communicated.

What Is an NDIS Planning Meeting?

An NDIS planning meeting is a conversation with the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) or an appropriate planning representative about your individual circumstances, support needs, and goals. The information discussed helps determine the supports that may be included in your NDIS plan.

During the meeting, you may discuss:

• Your daily routine and living arrangements
• How your disability affects your everyday activities
• Your current supports and services
• Your short-term and long-term goals
• Support needed for community participation
• Assistance with personal care and daily living
• Therapies, equipment, or other disability-related supports
• Changes in your circumstances or support needs

The meeting is an opportunity to explain what matters to you and why particular supports may help you work towards greater independence and participation.

What Happens During Your First NDIS Planning Meeting?

Your first NDIS planning meeting will generally involve questions about your circumstances, daily activities, current supports, and personal goals. You may be asked to describe what a typical day looks like and explain areas where you experience difficulties because of your disability.

The planner may also ask about the people and services currently supporting you and whether your existing support arrangements are meeting your needs.

Discussing Your Daily Support Needs

You may be asked about the activities where you need assistance. These can vary depending on your individual circumstances and may include:

• Personal care
• Meal preparation and cooking
• Household tasks
• Shopping and errands
• Getting around your community
• Managing appointments
• Communication
• Social and community participation

Try to be specific when explaining your support needs. Rather than simply saying that you need help, explain what assistance you require, how frequently you need it, and how the support affects your ability to manage everyday activities.

Talking About Your Current Supports

Your planner may ask about the support you currently receive from family members, friends, carers, support workers, allied health professionals, community organisations, or other service providers.

Explain which supports are working well and identify any gaps that are making everyday activities more difficult. Providing practical examples can help your planner understand your circumstances more clearly.

Discussing Your NDIS Goals

Your goals are an important part of the NDIS planning process. Think about what you would like to achieve with appropriate support and where you would like to make progress in your daily life.

Your goals may include:

• Becoming more independent at home
• Developing daily living skills
• Increasing community participation
• Developing social connections
• Finding or maintaining employment
• Learning new skills
• Participating in education or training
• Working towards greater independence

Your goals should reflect what is meaningful to you. They do not need to be complicated, but it is helpful to explain what you would like to achieve and how appropriate support could help.

How to Prepare for Your First NDIS Planning Meeting

Preparing before your planning meeting can help you communicate your needs and goals more clearly. Take some time to write down important information and think about the areas where you may require support.

1. Write Down Your Goals

Make a list of the goals you would like to work towards through your NDIS plan. Consider what you would like to achieve over the next 12 months and what barriers may be preventing you from reaching those goals.

2. Review Your Current Supports

Make a list of the support you currently receive and consider whether it is meeting your needs.

Your current support may include:

• Family or informal support
• Support workers
• Allied health services
• Community services
• Healthcare professionals
• Disability support providers

Identifying what is working and where additional assistance may be needed can make the planning conversation more productive.

3. Document Your Support Needs

Write down the everyday activities where you require assistance. Where possible, include examples of how often you need support and what difficulties you experience when assistance is unavailable.

Specific examples can help provide a clearer picture of your functional needs and the impact of your disability on your everyday life.

4. Gather Relevant Documents

Prepare any relevant reports, assessments, recommendations, or other documents that may help explain your disability-related support needs.

Keeping your documents organised before the meeting can make it easier to refer to important information when discussing your circumstances.

5. Think About Changes in Your Circumstances

Consider whether anything has changed since your NDIS application or previous plan. This may include changes to your living arrangements, employment, daily activities, support requirements, functional capacity, or personal goals.

Make a note of important changes so you can discuss them during your planning meeting.

Can Someone Attend Your NDIS Planning Meeting With You?

You may choose to have someone you trust support you during your NDIS planning meeting. Depending on your circumstances, this could be a family member, friend, advocate, support person, or another person who understands your needs.

Having someone with you may be helpful if you find it difficult to remember information, communicate your needs, or feel comfortable discussing certain aspects of your daily life.

A support person can also help you take notes and remember important questions or information discussed during the meeting.

Questions You May Be Asked During Your NDIS Planning Meeting

Your planner may ask questions to better understand your circumstances, support needs, and goals. These may include:

• What does a typical day look like for you?
• What activities do you need assistance with?
• What support do you currently receive?
• What is working well with your current supports?
• Where are the gaps in your support?
• What are your current goals?
• What would you like to achieve with NDIS support?
• Have your circumstances changed?
• What support could help you become more independent?

Try to answer honestly and provide practical examples wherever possible. Clear information can help your planner better understand your individual circumstances.

Questions You Can Ask During the Meeting

Your NDIS planning meeting is also an opportunity for you to ask questions. If something is unclear, do not hesitate to ask for an explanation.

You may want to ask:

• What happens after the planning meeting?
• When will I receive my NDIS plan?
• How can I use my NDIS funding?
• How can I manage my NDIS plan?
• What happens if my circumstances change?
• How can I request a plan review?
• Where can I get help understanding my NDIS plan?

Writing your questions down before the meeting can help you remember everything you want to discuss.

What Should You Avoid Doing During Your NDIS Planning Meeting?

Try not to minimise your support needs because you feel uncomfortable discussing them. Your planner needs an accurate understanding of how your disability affects your everyday life.

It can also be helpful to avoid focusing only on your best days. Explain the challenges you regularly experience and the assistance you require to complete activities safely and effectively.

Do not assume that your planner already knows everything about your situation. Clearly explain your circumstances and provide relevant information or supporting evidence where appropriate.

What Happens After the NDIS Planning Meeting?

After your planning meeting, the information discussed will be considered as part of the NDIS planning process. If an NDIS plan is approved, you will need to understand the funding, support categories, and how the supports in your plan can be used.

Once you receive your plan, take time to review the information carefully. If you are unsure about a particular support or funding arrangement, seek clarification before making significant decisions about your services.

How NDIS Support Providers Can Help

An experienced NDIS support provider can help participants understand their support options and work towards their individual goals. Depending on the participant’s plan and circumstances, support may include assistance with daily living, community participation, capacity building, and developing greater independence.

A support provider can also help participants identify meaningful activities that align with their interests, abilities, preferences, and goals.

For participants looking for personalised NDIS support, working with a provider that takes a person-centred approach can help ensure their individual needs and preferences remain at the centre of their support.

Preparing for Your NDIS Planning Meeting With Confidence

Your first NDIS planning meeting does not need to feel overwhelming. Preparing your goals, support requirements, relevant documents, and questions beforehand can help you feel more confident when discussing your circumstances.

Most importantly, be open about the challenges you experience and the support that could help you participate more fully in everyday life. Your planning meeting is an opportunity to make sure your voice, preferences, and goals are clearly understood.

For additional information and helpful resources, explore our NDIS Resources to learn more about navigating your NDIS journey.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is an NDIS planning meeting?

An NDIS planning meeting is a conversation about your disability-related needs, current circumstances, support requirements, and personal goals. The information discussed helps inform the development of your NDIS plan.

2. What should I bring to my first NDIS planning meeting?

It can be helpful to bring relevant reports, assessments, information about your current supports, a list of your goals, and any questions you would like to ask during the meeting.

3. Can someone come with me to my NDIS planning meeting?

You may choose to have a trusted person, such as a family member, friend, advocate, or support person, assist you during the planning process. Having someone with you may provide additional confidence and help you remember important information.

4. What questions will I be asked during an NDIS planning meeting?

You may be asked about your daily routine, support needs, current services, living arrangements, goals, community participation, and any changes in your circumstances. Providing honest and specific examples can help explain your individual needs.

5. What should I ask during my NDIS planning meeting?

You can ask questions about your NDIS plan, funding, available supports, plan management, what happens after the meeting, and what to do if your circumstances or support needs change.

6. How can I prepare for my first NDIS planning meeting?

You can prepare by writing down your goals, reviewing your current supports, documenting your support needs, gathering relevant documents, considering changes in your circumstances, and preparing a list of questions.