Preparing for an NDIS plan reassessment can feel overwhelming, particularly if your support needs, circumstances or goals have changed since your current plan was created.

A reassessment is an opportunity to explain how your current NDIS plan is working, what has changed, what supports you currently use and what you may need going forward.

The most useful preparation is practical. Review your current plan, think about your day to day support needs, consider your goals, gather relevant evidence and write down the questions you want to ask.

The NDIS says your my NDIS contact will generally contact you around 2 to 3 months before your plan’s reassessment date for a check-in. You may also have a check-in when you tell the NDIS that your circumstances have changed and your plan may need to change. (NDIS)

For the latest information about what happens when your current plan is approaching its reassessment date, you can read the official NDIS Guide to your next plan.

This guide explains how to prepare for your NDIS plan reassessment, what information may be useful, what questions you can consider asking, what may happen after the reassessment and how support coordination or plan management may assist.

What Is an NDIS Plan Reassessment?

An NDIS plan reassessment is the process used when the NDIS needs to consider whether a participant needs a new plan.

The NDIS explains that a plan reassessment may be needed when your situation has changed and your current plan no longer meets your needs, when you need more, less or different NDIS supports or when your plan’s reassessment date is approaching and you need a new plan.

During a reassessment, the NDIS may consider your current plan, existing supports, disability-related support needs, goals, changes in your circumstances and information or evidence you provide.

The NDIS also considers how your supports work together and how they may help you work towards your goals. You can generally continue using your current plan while the reassessment is being completed. (NDIS)

When might a reassessment be needed?

A reassessment may be relevant when:

• Your scheduled reassessment date is approaching.
• Your circumstances have changed significantly.
• Your current plan no longer meets your needs.
• You need more, less or different NDIS supports.
• Your disability-related support needs have changed.
• You need a new plan because of significant changes in your situation.

If your circumstances change, you do not necessarily need to wait until your next scheduled check-in. You can contact your my NDIS contact and explain what has changed. The NDIS will determine what type of plan change, if any, may be appropriate. (NDIS)

How to Prepare for Your NDIS Plan Reassessment

Good preparation starts with understanding your current situation. You do not need to create a complicated document. A clear summary of your current supports, needs, goals and changes can help you communicate your situation more effectively.

Review your current NDIS plan

Start by reading through your current plan and consider what supports are included, which supports you are using and how often you are using them.

Think about which supports are working well and whether there are any supports you have not been able to access. Consider whether your current supports are helping you work towards your goals and whether your support needs have changed.

Writing down a few key points before your check-in can make it easier to remember important information during the discussion.

Think about how your supports are working

Do not only look at how much funding has been used. Think about the actual impact your supports have had on your life.

For example, consider whether your supports have helped you:

• Become more independent.
• Participate in the community.
• Work or study.
• Manage everyday activities.
• Develop skills.
• Work towards your NDIS goals.
• Maintain important relationships and routines.

Also consider whether there are areas where you still need additional support.

The NDIS considers whether proposed supports relate to a participant’s disability, help them work towards their goals, increase independence and help them work, study and participate in social activities.

Identify changes in your circumstances

Think about what has changed since your current plan was created.

Changes could involve your daily living needs, disability-related support requirements, living arrangements, informal support network, employment, education, community participation, independence or ability to access providers.

Your goals may also have changed.

For example, you may be preparing to leave school, start employment, change your living arrangements, begin further education or take on greater responsibilities in your daily life.

The NDIS recommends considering significant life changes you are expecting over the next few years, including leaving school, starting or leaving work or changing your living situation.

It is important to remember that a change in circumstances does not automatically mean your NDIS plan will change. Depending on the situation, the NDIS may determine that no change is needed, a plan variation is appropriate or a plan reassessment is required.

Review your NDIS goals

Your goals are an important part of your planning discussions.

Before your reassessment, consider whether your current goals are still relevant and whether your priorities have changed.

You may want to think about goals relating to:

• Greater independence.
• Employment.
• Education or training.
• Community participation.
• Daily living skills.
• Social participation.
• Personal development.

Think about what you would like your life to look like in the future and what practical supports may help you work towards those goals.

If your goals have changed, discuss this with your NDIS contact. The NDIS says some small changes, including updating goals, can be made through a plan variation rather than creating a completely new plan. (NDIS)

Gather relevant evidence

Relevant evidence can help explain your circumstances and support needs.

Depending on your situation, this may include occupational therapy assessments, functional assessments, allied health reports, reports from treating healthcare professionals, therapist reports, information from support workers or documentation explaining changes in your circumstances.

Evidence can be particularly useful when it clearly explains your functional needs, what has changed, what support you currently require and what happens when appropriate support is unavailable.

A report may also explain why a particular support has been recommended and how that support relates to your goals.

The NDIS says information and evidence for a plan reassessment may include assessments or reports from treating healthcare professionals, therapists or support workers.

You do not need to collect documents simply for the sake of having a large file. Focus on relevant information that helps explain your current circumstances and support needs.

Explain difficulties accessing supports

If you have not used some of your current funding, think carefully about why.

Unused funding does not automatically mean that you no longer need a particular support.

You may have experienced difficulty finding a suitable provider, provider availability issues, delays in starting services, changes in your circumstances or other barriers to accessing appropriate supports.

Where possible, keep records of significant access difficulties.

During your reassessment, explain the circumstances rather than simply saying that the funding was not used.

For example, you could explain that you were unable to access a particular support because you could not find a suitable provider during the plan period.

This gives the NDIS more context about why the funding was not used.

The NDIS considers how current supports have been used as part of the reassessment process.

Think about future changes

Preparation should not only focus on what has already happened.

Think about significant changes you expect over the coming months or years.

These could include starting or leaving employment, leaving school, beginning further education, moving to a different living arrangement, changes in informal supports or changes in your daily living and disability-related support needs.

Considering these changes in advance can help you explain what you may need as you work towards your future goals.

What Evidence and Information Should You Prepare?

The evidence required for an NDIS plan reassessment depends on your individual circumstances and the change being considered.

Potentially relevant information may include:

• Occupational therapy reports.
• Functional capacity assessments.
• Allied health reports.
• Reports from treating healthcare professionals.
• Therapist reports.
• Information from support workers.
• Documentation about changes in your circumstances.
• Records of difficulties accessing supports.
• Information about your current services and support arrangements.

The NDIS says information and evidence may include assessments or reports from treating healthcare professionals, therapists or support workers. These can help explain how current supports are helping you work towards your goals and may include recommendations for future supports.

Make your evidence easy to understand

Relevant evidence should clearly explain your circumstances rather than simply listing a diagnosis or support.

Where appropriate, useful information may explain your functional needs, the support you currently require, what has changed and how your support needs affect everyday activities.

It can also be helpful for professional recommendations to explain why a particular support may be appropriate and how it relates to your goals.

Evidence does not guarantee that a particular support or funding amount will be approved. The NDIS applies its rules and considers the information available when making decisions about supports.

How can you provide information to the NDIS?

The NDIS currently says you can provide information and evidence through the service hub, by mail to the NDIA or by giving it to your my NDIS contact or local NDIS office.

If you are unsure how to submit a particular report or document, ask your my NDIS contact before sending it.

It is also a good idea to keep copies of important documents you provide.

What Should You Prepare for Your NDIS Plan Meeting?

Not every reassessment will result in the same process. If a plan meeting is required, preparing your information beforehand can help you feel more confident.

Consider having your current NDIS plan, current goals, relevant reports and assessments, a summary of your current supports and notes about changes in your circumstances available.

You may also want to have information about difficulties accessing supports and any new information the NDIS has asked you to provide.

You do not necessarily need to take every document you have. Focus on information that is relevant to your current support needs and the changes you want to discuss.

The NDIS provides additional guidance about preparing for a plan meeting, including thinking about your support needs, preparing new information and evidence and deciding whether you want to bring someone.

Can you bring someone to an NDIS plan meeting?

Yes. Depending on your circumstances, you may choose to have someone you trust support you during a meeting.

This could include a family member, friend, support coordinator, recovery coach or another person you are comfortable having involved.

Consider whether the person can help you communicate your needs, understand information and feel comfortable during the discussion. The NDIS also provides guidance about bringing someone to a plan meeting. (NDIS)

Questions you may want to ask

Preparing questions before the meeting can help you stay focused.

You could ask:

• How is my current plan being considered?
• What information or evidence do you need from me?
• Are any additional reports or assessments required?
• How should I explain supports I have not been able to access?
• How will my current goals be considered?
• Should I update any of my goals?
• What happens after the reassessment?
• When will I receive the decision?
• What happens if my plan is varied?
• What happens if a new plan is created?
• What happens if my plan does not change?
• What review options are available if I disagree with the decision?

If you do not understand something during the discussion, ask for an explanation. You can also make notes so you can review the information later.

What Happens After an NDIS Plan Reassessment?

After the reassessment, an NDIA planner reviews the information and evidence relevant to your circumstances.

The NDIS may consider your current plan and supports, how you have used your supports, the information and evidence provided, your use of community and mainstream supports, the change being considered and whether the requested supports meet the relevant NDIS requirements.

The NDIS also considers how supports work together and how they may help you work towards your goals.

The NDIS says it will let you know its decision within the applicable timeframe once it has the information and evidence needed to make the decision. Check with your my NDIS contact for the timeframe that applies to your circumstances.

There are several possible outcomes.

Your plan may stay the same

The NDIS may decide that the information and evidence does not indicate that your plan needs to change. In this situation, your current plan can continue.

Your plan may be varied

A plan variation changes part of your existing plan without creating an entirely new plan.

Plan variations can be used for certain changes, including changes to goals, the reassessment date, the statement of supports and the way funding components are managed. (NDIS)

A new plan may be created

If the NDIS determines that your plan needs significant changes, it may complete a plan reassessment and create a new plan. Your NDIA planner will invite you to a plan meeting to discuss the decisions made and the supports included in your new plan.

Plan continuation

If the NDIS does not reassess your plan before its reassessment date, your plan may continue for another 12 months. This is called a plan continuation. Your continued plan will generally have the same funding amounts in your Core and Capacity Building budgets, and eligible unspent funding can remain available.

What If Your Circumstances Change Before Your Next Reassessment?

You do not necessarily need to wait until your next scheduled reassessment if your circumstances change.

You can contact your my NDIS contact and explain what has changed and how it may affect your disability-related support needs.

Depending on your circumstances, the NDIS may determine that no change is needed, a plan variation is appropriate or a plan reassessment is required.

A change in circumstances does not automatically mean that your NDIS plan will change. The NDIS explains that the appropriate response depends on the nature of the change and whether your current plan continues to meet your needs.

Common mistakes to avoid

One common mistake is assuming that your next plan will automatically be the same as your current plan. It is better to prepare by reviewing your current situation and identifying what has changed.

Another mistake is waiting until the last minute. Professional reports and assessments can take time, so start gathering relevant information as early as practical.

It is also important not to focus only on funding. Your discussion should explain your disability-related needs, functional capacity, goals, current supports, changes in circumstances and what you want to achieve.

If you have unused funding, explain why it was not used rather than assuming the NDIS will know the reason.

Finally, do not be afraid to ask questions. If you do not understand a decision, process or request for information, ask your NDIS contact for clarification.

How Can Support Coordination or Plan Management Help?

You do not have to prepare for an NDIS plan reassessment alone.

Support coordination

A support coordinator may help you understand your NDIS plan, coordinate providers, identify support gaps and prepare for conversations about your goals and support needs.

Support coordination may be particularly useful if you have multiple providers, complex support arrangements, difficulty coordinating services or problems accessing appropriate supports.

iDeal Care Services provides NDIS Support Coordination, helping participants understand their NDIS plans, connect with suitable providers and work towards their goals.

Plan management

Plan management has a different role. A plan manager can assist with the financial administration of your NDIS plan, including processing provider invoices and helping you understand your plan spending.

Before a reassessment, reviewing your spending can help you understand how your current funding has been used.

You may want to review your current spending, available funding, provider invoices, remaining budgets and regular support costs.

iDeal Care Services provides NDIS Plan Management to help participants manage their NDIS funding and plan administration.

Support coordination and plan management serve different purposes. Whether one or both are appropriate depends on your individual NDIS plan and circumstances.

What if you disagree with an NDIS decision?

If you disagree with an NDIS decision, ask the NDIS about the review options that apply to that particular decision.

The appropriate review pathway can depend on the type of decision that has been made. If you are unsure what to do, ask the NDIS or an appropriate professional for information about the available review process.

Frequently Asked Questions

How far in advance should I prepare for my NDIS plan reassessment?

Start preparing as early as practical. The NDIS says your my NDIS contact will generally contact you around 2 to 3 months before your plan’s reassessment date for a check-in.

Starting early gives you more time to review your plan, identify changes and gather relevant evidence.

Can I request a plan reassessment if my circumstances change?

You can contact the NDIS if your circumstances change and you believe your plan may need to change. You do not necessarily need to wait for your next scheduled check-in.

The NDIS will consider the nature of the change and determine whether a plan variation, reassessment or no plan change is appropriate.

Do I need a support coordinator for an NDIS reassessment?

No. Support coordination is not compulsory.

However, some participants may find support coordination useful when preparing information, coordinating providers or discussing their support needs.

Can I bring someone to my NDIS plan meeting?

Yes. Depending on your circumstances, you may bring a family member, friend, support coordinator, recovery coach or another person you trust.

Can a support coordinator make decisions about my NDIS plan?

No. A support coordinator can help you understand and coordinate your supports, but the NDIS is responsible for decisions about your NDIS plan.

You should remain involved in decisions about your goals and supports.

What should I do if I cannot access a support in my current plan?

Keep records explaining why the support could not be accessed. This may include difficulty finding a suitable provider, provider availability issues, delays or other barriers.

Discuss the circumstances with your my NDIS contact and, where appropriate, your support coordinator or another relevant professional.

Can my NDIS plan stay the same?

Yes. The NDIS identifies not changing your plan as one possible outcome of the reassessment process.

Can my NDIS plan continue without a new plan meeting?

In some circumstances, your current plan may continue rather than being replaced with a new plan. The latest NDIS guidance explains that you may be able to keep your next plan the same as your current plan.

How long does the NDIS take to make a reassessment decision?

The NDIS says an agreed plan reassessment takes 28 days to complete once it has the information and evidence it needs. The timeframe may be different in some circumstances, so check with your my NDIS contact for information relevant to your situation.

Final Thoughts

Preparing for an NDIS plan reassessment does not have to be overwhelming.

Start with your current plan. Review how your supports are working, identify changes in your circumstances, review your goals and gather relevant evidence.

Most importantly, focus on clearly explaining your current situation and disability-related support needs.

Think about what has changed, what is working, what is not working and what you want to achieve next.

The NDIS reassessment process may involve a check-in, gathering information and evidence, an NDIA review and a decision about your plan. Depending on your circumstances, your plan may remain unchanged, be varied or be replaced with a new plan. (NDIS)

You do not have to navigate the process without support.

iDeal Care Services provides NDIS Plan Management and Support Coordination to participants across Australia. If you would like assistance understanding or coordinating your NDIS supports, you can learn more about the services available through iDeal Care Services.

Learn more about NDIS Support Coordination from iDeal Care Services:
NDIS Support Coordination

Learn more about Disability Plan Management from iDeal Care Services:
Disability Plan Management

Contact iDeal Care Services:
Contact iDeal Care Services