For most NDIS participants, the weeks leading up to an NDIS Plan Reassessment (commonly known as a Plan Review) can be highly stressful. You rely on your funding to live your daily life, and the thought of that funding being reduced is a source of significant anxiety.
The key to a successful plan review is evidence and preparation. The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) makes funding decisions based purely on the evidence presented to them. If you cannot prove that a support is "reasonable and necessary" to achieve your goals, it will not be funded.
Here is EqualRise Healthcare's step-by-step guide on how to prepare for your NDIS Plan Review to ensure you secure the funding you need.
Step 1: Start Preparing Early (3 Months Ahead)
Do not wait until the NDIA calls you to start preparing. Gathering the necessary reports from medical professionals and allied health therapists takes time. We recommend starting your preparation at least 90 days before your current plan expires.
If you have a Support Coordinator, this is the time to reach out to them. They will play a crucial role in coordinating your reports and helping you build a compelling case.
Step 2: Review Your Current Goals
Pull out your current NDIS plan and look at the goals you set a year (or more) ago. Ask yourself:
- Did I achieve these goals? If yes, what are my new goals?
- If I didn't achieve them, why not? Did I not have enough funding? Was I waiting on a specialist appointment? Did my health decline?
- Are these goals still relevant to my life right now?
Your new goals will dictate your new funding. Be specific. Instead of "I want to get out more," write "I want to attend a local art class every Tuesday to improve my fine motor skills and make new friends."
Step 3: Gather Allied Health Reports
This is the most critical step. You need written evidence from professionals (such as Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists, Speech Pathologists, or Psychologists) detailing exactly what supports you need and why.
A strong allied health report should include:
- A summary of your disability and how it impacts your daily functioning.
- A detailed list of the supports you currently receive and how they have helped you.
- A clear, justified recommendation for future supports (e.g., "The participant requires 4 hours of personal care per day to maintain hygiene and prevent skin breakdown").
- An explanation of the risks if this support is not funded.
Step 4: Collect Provider Progress Reports
Your daily support providers, like EqualRise Healthcare, also play a vital role. Ask your providers for an End of Plan Progress Report.
These reports summarize the services delivered over the past year, how you have progressed toward your goals, and any ongoing challenges. Because support workers spend the most time with you, their daily observations provide powerful, practical evidence of your needs.
Step 5: Prepare Your "Lived Experience" Statement
While clinical reports are essential, your voice matters most. Consider writing a "Carer Impact Statement" (if you have an informal carer, like a spouse or parent) or a "Participant Statement."
This is a one- or two-page letter explaining what a typical week looks like for you. Highlight the struggles you face, the informal support your family provides (and the toll it takes on them), and exactly how NDIS funding will improve your life. This adds a deeply human element to your file that planners cannot ignore.
Step 6: Know What to Ask For
Go into your review meeting with a clear list of the supports you are requesting. Be prepared to explain why each request meets the NDIS "Reasonable and Necessary" criteria. For example:
- Reasonable and Necessary: "I need funding for a support worker to drive me to hydrotherapy because there is no accessible public transport near my home, and the therapy is essential for managing my chronic pain."
What Happens During the Meeting?
Review meetings can take place over the phone, via video call, or face-to-face. You do not have to do it alone! You are entirely entitled to have your Support Coordinator, a family member, or a trusted advocate in the meeting with you.
Take your time answering questions. If the planner asks you how you manage a task on a "good day," make sure you also explicitly explain what happens on your "worst day." NDIS funding must be sufficient to support you when you are struggling the most.
"Preparation is the antidote to anxiety. By gathering robust evidence, you take control of your NDIS journey."
Need Support Preparing for Your Review?
At EqualRise Healthcare, we are committed to supporting our participants throughout the entire NDIS cycle. We provide detailed, professional progress reports to ensure you have the evidence you need for a successful review.
If you need high-quality daily living support, community participation, or nursing care included in your next plan, contact our Adelaide team today to discuss how we can help.
