Developing and getting an NDIS plan

What is an NDIS plan?

The NDIS plan explains:

• supports and services in your child's life
• goals that you want your child to achieve or that you wish your child to work toward
• funding that has been earmarked in his/her plan.

What’s involved in developing an NDIS plan?

The NDIS planning process has several steps, including a planning meeting with an NDIS representative. You can prepare for the planning meeting by thinking about your child’s needs, circumstances, goals and supports. In the planning meeting, you’ll work with an NDIS representative to develop your child’s NDIS plan. Once your child’s NDIS plan has been approved, you’ll get a copy of the plan.

What should I think about before the planning meeting?

You may want to think about:

Your child’s current situation – what are their strengths? What do they enjoy doing?

Your child’s goals – what does your child want to achieve in the short term and long term?

Your child’s supports – what kind of supports does your child need to help them achieve their goals?

Your family’s circumstances – how will your family be impacted by your child’s disability or developmental delay? What kind of support do you need?

You can also talk to other people in your child’s life, such as their teachers or therapists, to get their perspectives on your child’s needs and what supports would be most helpful.

What happens in the planning meeting?

The planning meeting is an opportunity for you to talk to an NDIS representative about your child’s needs, circumstances, goals and supports. The NDIS representative will ask you questions about these things and may also talk to other people in your child’s life, such as their teachers or therapists. Based on this information, the NDIS representative will develop a draft NDIS plan for your child.

You’ll then have the opportunity to review the draft NDIS plan and make sure that it includes everything you want it to. Once you’re happy with the plan, you and the NDIS representative will sign it and you’ll receive a copy of the plan.

What if I need help developing my child’s NDIS plan?

You can get help developing your child’s NDIS plan from a support coordinator or local area coordinator. A support coordinator can provide information, advice and practical support to help you develop your child’s NDIS plan. They can also help you implement your child’s NDIS plan and connect you to services and supports in the community. A local area coordinator can provide information about the NDIS, help you access NDIS services and support you to implement your child’s NDIS plan.

If you need help developing your child’s NDIS plan, you can contact your local NDIS office or the NDIS hotline on 1800 800 110.