NDIS Planning Meeting: What to Say and What to Bring

Why Your NDIS Planning Meeting Determines Your Support Budget

Your NDIS planning meeting is the single most important conversation in your NDIS journey. The decisions made here determine your budget for the next 12, 24, or even 36 months. With over $40 billion in annual NDIS funding across 650,000+ participants, the difference between a well-prepared meeting and an unprepared one can be tens of thousands of dollars in supports — or a plan that doesn't cover what you actually need.

The meeting typically runs 1–2 hours and is conducted by an NDIA planner or a Local Area Coordinator (LAC). It can be in person, over the phone, or via video call. You can bring a support person, family member, or advocate.

NDIS Planning Meeting Preparation: Your 6-Step Checklist Before the Day

The work happens before the meeting. Walk in prepared and you control the conversation. Walk in cold and the planner controls it for you.

1. Think about your goals — the NDIS funds supports that help you pursue your goals. Goals are the engine of your plan. Write 3–5 specific, realistic goals for the next 12–24 months. Examples: "I want to improve my mobility so I can walk to the local shops independently" or "I want to build my social skills so I can join a community group." Avoid vague goals like "I want to be more independent."
2. List your current supports — what are you using now? Who provides them? How often? If you're already a participant, bring data on your current plan utilisation. The NDIA is more likely to fund supports you can prove you use.
3. Identify what's missing — what supports do you need but aren't currently getting? Be ready to explain why each one is necessary.
4. Gather supporting reports — recent OT assessments, psychology reports, physio letters. Anything that reinforces the functional impact of your disability.
5. Prepare a participant statement — a one-page summary in your own words: who you are, what your disability is, how it affects your daily life, what your goals are, and what supports you need. This humanises the data.
6. Consider plan management — decide before the meeting whether you want to be agency-managed, plan-managed, or self-managed. Tell the planner; don't let them default you to agency-managed because it's easier for them. Read our plan-managed vs agency-managed comparison to understand the trade-offs.

What to Bring to Your NDIS Planning Meeting: Essential Documents and Evidence

• Your participant statement (printed or on your phone)
• Recent reports from health professionals (OT, psychologist, physio, GP)
• A list of your current providers and how much you spend with each
• Your written goals
• A notepad and pen — take notes during the conversation
• A support person if you want one — they can help advocate and remember details
• Any letters from providers recommending specific supports
• If you have complex needs, a carer statement describing what they do for you daily

How to Advocate for NDIS Supports: What to Say in Your Planning Meeting

The most important shift in mindset: describe your worst day, not your best day. It's natural to want to present yourself positively, but the NDIS funds based on need. If the planner thinks you cope well, your budget shrinks. Be honest about how hard things get.

Use specific, functional language

Instead of "I sometimes have trouble getting dressed," say "On bad days, I can't dress myself at all — I need someone to help me with buttons, zips, and putting on socks. This happens about 3 days a week."

Instead of "I find social situations challenging," say "I experience panic attacks in group settings and have avoided social events for the past 2 years. I need a support worker with me to attend community activities."

Frame everything around your goals

Every support you ask for should connect to a goal. Don't say "I want a physio" — say "My goal is to walk to the shops independently, and I need physio twice a week to build the strength to do that." The NDIS funds reasonable and necessary supports that help you reach your goals. The goal is the key that unlocks the funding.

Don't undersell informal supports

The NDIA assumes family and carers provide "informal supports." If your family is burning out, say so. If your elderly parents can't physically assist you anymore, say so. The NDIS is meant to supplement — not replace — informal supports, but if your informal supports are unsustainable, the planner needs to know.

Common NDIS Planning Meeting Questions: What the Planner Will Ask You

Be ready with specific answers for these common questions:

• "Tell me about your typical day." — Describe it from waking up to going to bed. Include every difficulty, every point where you need help.
• "What are your goals for this plan?" — Have your goals written down and read them out.
• "What supports are you currently using?" — Show your list of providers, frequencies, and costs.
• "Who helps you at home?" — Be honest about informal supports and whether they're sustainable.
• "How do you want to manage your plan?" — If you want plan management, say: "I want a plan manager so I can use both registered and unregistered providers."
• "Is there anything else you need?" — This is your moment. If you haven't mentioned something, say it now.

After Your NDIS Planning Meeting: Checking Your Plan and Next Steps

You won't get your plan on the day. The planner writes it up, and it goes through an approval process. You'll receive your plan within a few weeks. When it arrives:

• Check it carefully — are the supports you asked for funded? Are the budgets adequate?
• If something is wrong, act fast — you have 3 months to request an internal review. Contact your planner or LAC immediately.
• Start implementing — connect with providers, sign service agreements, and begin using your plan.
• Track your spending — if you're plan-managed, your plan manager tracks this for you. If you're self-managed, do it yourself. If you're agency-managed, check the myplace portal regularly. Understanding your Core, Capacity Building, and Capital budgets will help you monitor spending across categories.

Your plan is a living document. If your circumstances change, you can request a plan review at any time — you don't have to wait for the scheduled review date.