How to prepare for your NDIS plan review
What to do in the six weeks before your NDIS plan meeting: the evidence to gather, the questions to ask, and what to check when the new plan arrives.
- 01
Know which meeting it is
Scheduled review (plan due to renew) or unscheduled reassessment (something changed).
- 02
Run the six-week checklist
Read the current plan, review your goals, and talk to your providers.
- 03
Gather evidence for what's new
Reports, quotes, spend history, and logs only for what you want changed.
- 04
Ask the honest questions in the room
Budgets, flexibility, mid-plan changes, and how to challenge a decision.
- 05
Read the new plan line by line
Flag anything missing within a few days — it's easier to fix while the plan is settling.
Know which meeting you're walking into
The NDIA now calls a plan review a plan reassessment. A scheduled reassessment happens when your plan reaches its reassessment date, often 12 to 24 months after it started, and usually leads to a new plan. You can also ask for one earlier if something big changes, like a new diagnosis or a move. For a small change, a plan variation may be enough.
If you're not sure which one is coming up, ask your support coordinator, your plan manager or the NDIA. Knowing the type tells you how much evidence to gather.
Your plan meeting is when the NDIA looks closely at your life and goals. It's worth preparing for.
The six weeks before the meeting
A practical run-down from six weeks out
- 1
Read your current plan
Open your plan and read each budget line. What did you actually use? What's left unused — or overspent?
- 2
Review your goals
Look at each goal from the last plan. Which moved forward, which stalled? Write a sentence on each.
- 3
Talk to your providers
Ask your support workers, therapist, and coordinator for a short summary of progress and anything they've noticed changing.
- 4
List what changed
New diagnosis, different support needs, a move, study or work plans — anything that looks different to when the plan was written.
- 5
Gather evidence
Reports, quotes, and simple logs — the section below covers what counts.
- 6
Book a time that suits you
Ask for a time that works for you, and arrange an interpreter, an advocate, or your support coordinator if you want them there.
Want a coordinator in the room with you? See how to choose a support coordinator who fits the meeting as well as the plan.
What counts as evidence
Evidence is for what's different and what's new. For a plan that looks like the last one, your history of using the supports is usually the evidence on its own.
Tick items as you work through them — your progress is saved on this device. Download or print when you're ready.
Bring these when they apply
You don't need a pile of paperwork to renew a plan that's working. Evidence matters most when you're asking for something new or different, like more therapy or a change in where you live. If housing is part of it, read our guide to SIL, SDA and ILO first.
How the conversation goes, and the questions that keep it honest
Use the meeting to understand the plan you're getting, not just accept it. Listen, ask the planner to phrase anything technical in plain English, and never go home unsure.
Tick items as you work through them — your progress is saved on this device. Download or print when you're ready.
Ask, in plain words
After the meeting: check your new plan
What counts is what ends up in the written plan. When it arrives, compare each budget with what you asked for, and raise anything missing within a few days. It's easier to fix early. Then check how your funding periods are set up so you know how much you can spend each quarter.
If something is wrong and the NDIA doesn't fix it when you raise it, you can ask for a review of the decision. A free disability advocacy service can help you through it. Try to leave the meeting clear on your plan, and clear on what to do if it isn't right.
Frequently asked questions
Is a plan review the same as a plan reassessment?
Yes. The NDIA now uses the term plan reassessment for what most people call a plan review. It happens at your plan's reassessment date, or earlier if you ask for one because something big has changed. Prepare the same way for both.
Do I need evidence for every review?
Only for what's new or what you want changed. For the supports that are working, your history of using them is usually the evidence. Bring documents for anything you're asking to add or increase.
Can I bring someone to the meeting?
Yes. You can bring a family member, friend, or advocate, and you can ask your support coordinator or plan manager to join. Whose plan is it? Yours — so the team around the table is your choice.
What if I don't get the supports I asked for?
Ask the planner to explain the decision and what evidence would change it. If you disagree with the decision itself, you can request a review of the decision, and an advocacy service can help you do it.
How often do plan reviews happen?
Plans usually last 12 to 24 months. You can also ask for an unscheduled review if something significant changes — a new diagnosis, a move, a shift in your support needs.
Official sources
This guide is checked against these official pages.
Read next
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