7 Steps to Getting Your NDIS Plan Up and Running

December 11, 2023

The NDIS can provide life-changing support to people with disabilities. But the process of gaining access can take time, effort, and let’s face it – it can be overwhelming. Here, we detail the steps you need to go through to gain access.

The great news is, that once you’ve been given the initial approval, you can call on the support of our experienced team to help you complete the process – and this all comes at no additional cost to you!  

  PHASE A

1. Check you are eligible to apply 

  • If you have a child younger than 9, an early childhood partner can provide supports to children before they apply and let families know if the NDIS is right for their child.  
  • If you are a person with disability aged 9 – 65 years who would like to join the NDIS, you will need to meet access requirements. 

To find out more, vist the NDIS access criteria page. 

2. Apply to the NDIS

  It all starts by making an Access Request. You can do this by completing and submitting this form.

https://www.ndis.gov.au/how-apply-ndis/what-access-request-form 

  • Questions? You can contact the NDIS directly on 180 800 110 OR 
  • Contact a local NDIS partner who may be able to lead you through the process https://www.ndis.gov.au/contact/locations 

3. Complete a supporting evidence form

This evidence will play a crucial role in securing the funding you need. 

  • Gather supporting evidence from your medical specialists, allied health professionals, and GP.   
  • Access the Supporting Evidence Form here
  • Once submitted, you can expect to wait up to 6 weeks for an outcome. 

  4. If NDIS Approval Is Granted

Congratulations, you’re part of the NDIS scheme. (if you’re not approved this round, that doesn’t mean you won’t be at a later date, so don’t give up.) 

Now you need to decide if you want to  

  • manage the plan yourself (self-managed) 
  • have the NDIS manage your budget (NDIS managed) or  
  • get some help from independent plan experts (plan managed) 

An independent Plan Manager, such as Disability Plan Services, will help you make the most of what is available to you. There’s no additional cost for this, you simply need to ask for this assistance in your upcoming Planning Meeting. (Make sure you have the name and contact details of your chosen Plan Manager handy at the meeting – see step 5.)

Not all Plan managers are created equal. Look for a combination of technical expertise and a personal caring approach. You’ll get the most out of a group that offers both industry and financial expertise, an extensive network of key relationships that will benefit you, trustworthiness, flexibility, personalised support, responsive services and tailored solutions. 

 5. Planning Meeting with the NDIA – in person, online or by phone

Once approved, the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA), or an NDIA partner, will arrange a meeting with you (and your support person, if you choose) to determine reasonable and necessary supports for you and associated budget. 

  They’ll assess this via  

  • a conversation with you about your current lifestyle, your goals, your disability, its impacts and the sorts of supports you think will benefit your lifestyle.  
  • supporting evidence, such as relevant reports from medical and allied health professionals 
  • medical reports 
  • carer statements 
  • lived experience statements. 

  You can contact the NDIA to understand the procedure better, including what sort of questions will be asked of you. 

Follow this link for some helpful information from the NDIS.

PHASE B 

6. Plan Management

With your funding approved, you can start putting your plan into action, and achieving your goals. 

Work with your chosen Plan Manager to discuss your needs and goals and an exploration of options that will best suit you within the allocated budget.

Your Plan Manager can help with  

  • Managing provider payments, ensuring providers stay within NDIS pricing caps. 
  • Record keeping  
  • Analysing your budget and providing independent budget advice  
  • Financial reporting via your personal, secure 24/7 dashboard and a monthly statement  
  • Preparation for plan meetings and plan reviews  
  • Ongoing support with regular discussions and feedback. 

 

7.  Plan Implementation

Now your plan is in motion, it’s time to start seeing the difference your plan can make to your life. 

A group such as Disability Plan Services can also offer support coordination, connecting people with services and supports for their needs, goals and aspirations, to help them live a purposeful and meaningful life.   

We help customers with  

  • Living more independently   
  • Increasing their skills  
  • Getting more involved in the community  
  • Finding + maintaining employment  
  • Improving relationships + making new friends  
  • Boosting health and wellness and getting in touch with the right allied health providers  
  • Ongoing support   

Importantly, the NDIS is just one way of gaining assistance. The disability supports provided through the NDIS complement, but don’t replace, mainstream or community services provided by other service systems in the general community, such as education, health, mental health services and community groups.     

 

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