NDIS Plan Review Preparation: What You Need to Know

NDIS plans typically run for 12 to 36 months, after which they're reviewed and renewed. Your plan review — or "reassessment" — is your opportunity to demonstrate that your current funding meets your needs, and to request adjustments if your circumstances have changed. Preparation is everything. A well-prepared review can mean the difference between a plan that keeps up with your needs and one that leaves you scrambling.

NDIS Plan Review Types: Scheduled, Unscheduled, and Change of Circumstances

Not all reviews are the same. Understanding which type you're facing helps you prepare appropriately:

• Scheduled review (reassessment): This happens near the end of your current plan. The NDIA will contact you to schedule it — usually 1–3 months before your plan expires. This is the most comprehensive review type and typically results in a new plan. (Plans sometimes get extended or rolled over if a review is delayed.)
• Unscheduled review (plan variation): You can request this at any time if your circumstances change significantly — for example, a change in your disability, living situation, or informal supports. This is sometimes called a "light-touch" review and can adjust funding without replacing the entire plan.
• Change of circumstances review: Triggered by specific events like a change in your primary disability, a significant change in functional capacity, or a change in your informal support network. These require evidence of the change.

NDIS Plan Review Evidence: What Documents You Need

NDIS decisions are evidence-driven. The quality and relevance of your evidence directly influences funding decisions. For a scheduled review, gather:

• Therapy reports: Updated reports from your allied health professionals — occupational therapists, speech pathologists, physiotherapists, psychologists — describing your current functional capacity, progress toward previous goals, and recommendations for ongoing supports.
• Goal updates: A clear statement of your goals for the next plan period. Be specific: "I want to increase my community participation from one outing per week to three" is stronger than "I want to get out more."
• Spending data: Your plan manager can provide a comprehensive summary of your spending across all support categories throughout your current plan. This shows the NDIA what you actually used — and what you may need more of.
• Provider letters: If you need an increase in specific supports, letters from your providers explaining why — with clinical reasoning — carry significant weight.
• Personal statement: Your own description of how your disability affects your daily life, what's working well with your current supports, and what gaps remain. This is your story — make it heard.

NDIS Plan Review Preparation Timeline: When to Start

Don't leave preparation until the week before your review. A practical timeline:

1. 3–4 months before plan end: Request updated therapy reports from all your allied health providers. Therapists often have long waiting lists for report-writing — early requests are essential.
2. 2–3 months before: Request your spending summary from your plan manager. Review it yourself: where did you overspend? Where was there money left over? What does this tell you about your needs?
3. 4–6 weeks before: Draft your personal statement and updated goals. Review everything with your support coordinator, plan manager, or a trusted family member.
4. 2 weeks before: Compile all documents into a single, organised package. If the review is by phone or in person, have everything ready to reference.

NDIS Plan Review Appeals: What to Do If Your Plan Is Cut

You have rights. If the NDIA's decision doesn't reflect your needs, you can request an internal review (s100 review) within 3 months of receiving your new plan. If the internal review doesn't resolve the issue, you can escalate to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT). This path exists for a reason — use it if you need to.

For help understanding your plan's financial picture ahead of a review, see our guide to what plan management is and how plan management fees work.