Your first NDIS planning meeting can be nerve wracking. You are sitting across from someone who is going to decide how much funding you get for the next year or more. The stakes feel high because they are.
Here is what actually happens, what to bring, and how to prepare so you walk out with a plan that reflects what you actually need.
Who you will meet
Your planning meeting will be with either an NDIA planner or a Local Area Coordinator (LAC), depending on your situation. They are there to understand your disability, your daily life, your goals, and what supports you need to achieve those goals. They are not there to trick you or catch you out, even if it sometimes feels that way.
What to bring
Reports from your doctors, specialists, OTs, physios, psychologists, anyone involved in your care. These reports should clearly describe your disability, how it affects your daily functioning, and what supports you need. The more specific and recent these reports are, the better.
A list of your goals. What do you want to achieve in the next plan period? These can be big (move out of home, get a job) or small (learn to catch the bus independently, maintain my health). Write them down before the meeting because it is easy to forget things when you are nervous.
A list of the supports you currently use and any gaps. If you are already receiving services, note what is working and what is not. If there are things you need but do not have, list those too.
What they will ask
They will ask about your daily routine, what you can and cannot do independently, what help you currently receive (paid and unpaid), your goals for the next 12 months, and what supports you think you need to reach those goals.
Be honest. Do not downplay your difficulties to seem capable or exaggerate them to get more funding. Describe what a bad day looks like, not just an average one. Planners need to understand the full picture.
One thing most people get wrong
They focus on what they cannot do instead of what they want to achieve. The NDIS is goal oriented. Your plan is built around your goals, and the supports are funded to help you reach them. Lead with what you want your life to look like, then explain what stands in the way.
If you want help preparing for your planning meeting, call us on 07 3063 3362. We can talk through what to expect and help you get your evidence together.
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