NDIS Plan Explained – Preparing for your first NDIS planning meeting

April 2, 2021

If you’re new to the NDIS, then you’re probably wondering what this upcoming NDIS planning meeting is and how it can help you. An NDIS planning meeting is conducted with an ECEI Partner, LAC or NDIA Planner, who will help you develop your NDIS plan. 

Before attending your meeting, it’s important to know what an NDIS plan is. If you want information about your NDIS plan explained in detail, keep reading!

NDIS plan meaning

If you’re new to the NDIS, then you are probably wondering what an NDIS plan is. Basically, your NDIS plan is your guide to helping you live the best life you can and achieve your goals. Your NDIS plan will outline what your goals, aspirations and supports are. This will help determine what funding you need to help you achieve your goals. 

Your plan will include information about:

• You – basic information about your disability, your day-to-day activities, where you live, and who your informal supports are (such as your parents)
• Your family and friends – support you receive from your friends and family that is not funded but helps you work towards your goals – these are defined as informal supports
• Services and community groups – services and supports funded and delivered by community or other government services such as support groups, health centres, libraries and public transport
• Your goals – current goals you would like to achieve as part of your plan and the long-term goals you have identified for your life
• Funded supports – what funding you have been allocated in each support category and what this funding is for

Everyone’s goals and supports are different. That’s why everyone’s NDIS plan is different too. Your NDIS planning meeting will help you develop your unique NDIS plan that will help you achieve your personal goals. 

How can your NDIS plan help you achieve your goals? 

The purpose of your NDIS plan is to help you live the best life you can by helping you achieve your goals.

In your first meeting, you will discuss your goals with your ECEI Coordinator, LAC, or NDIA planner. You can set goals that are both long-term and short-term. Long-term goals may be ones that you will continue working towards slowly over many years whereas short-term goals may be achievable within the 12 months of your first plan. 

Goal setting is an important part to creating your plan because it outlines what types of supports you will be eligible to access. Your plan funding is determined based on the goals you set and what supports you require to achieve those goals. Every dollar of funding you receive needs to be associated with a goal in your plan. This is why it’s important that you properly explain the things you wish to achieve and what supports you require to achieve them. 

We know that life can change and your goals can change too. You will have a plan review so that you can you reflect on your goals or make any changes that may be required for the next plan. For more information about developing your goals, see our blog post on goal setting.  

Now that you’ve had your NDIS plan explained, let’s help you prepare for your NDIS planning meeting! 

How to prepare for your NDIS planning meeting

Your NDIS planning meeting is where you will create your NDIS plan. To get you ready for your NDIS planning meeting, we have collated a few of our top tips. 

Think about: 

Your current goals

Goal setting is an important part of your NDIS plan because it helps you identify what supports you require and what funding you will need. Before you attend your disability plan review, it’s important to think what you want to achieve.

Your current supports

What supports are you currently receiving? Have you got family, friends, or support workers who are helping you out? Think about both the informal and formal support you are receiving, and whether they are helping you achieve your goals. The meeting is an opportunity to discuss how you can access funding that will provide you with supports that can help you achieve your goals.

How you want your plan managed

There are three ways you can get your plan managed: self-managed, NDIA-managed or Agency-managed, or managed by a Plan Manager.

If you’re new to the NDIS, it can be complicated at the beginning to manage your plan on your own. That’s why there is an option for you to have your plan managed by a registered Plan Manager such as Disability Plan Services. A register Plan Manager is an independent third-party acting on your behalf and always having your best interest at heart.

For NDIS plan management explained, see our blog on 6 reasons why you should choose NDIS plan management.  

The team at Disability Plan Services are here to help you at any stage of your NDIS plan journey. We can assist you with anything from understanding aspects of your NDIS plan, to ensuring that you are getting all the funding and supports you need.  

If you have any questions about your upcoming planning meeting, or would like the NDIS plan explained further, contact one of our friendly team members today.