How to write good NDIS goals

What are NDIS goals?

Each NDIS participant will set a goal or goals. These goals could be things you’d like to achieve with the support of the NDIS. The goals you set may cover a range of aspects of your life such as becoming more independent, finishing school or commencing full-time employment. You should be as specific as possible when setting out your goals. 

You will set your goals with your LAC, ECEI Coordinator or NDIA planner. You may set out some medium to long term goals, which might take years to achieve in full. You can then break down these long term goals into smaller goals that you hope to achieve in the next 12 months. An example of a long term goal could be living independently while the short term goals might be learning to cook or catching public transport.

Types of goals

There are typically two types of goals to consider:

• Core goals: These often focus on your current needs, such as improving personal skills used in daily activities or accessing community services.
• Capacity building goals: These are more about the future, aiming to increase your skills and independence over time.

How to write good NDIS goals

1. What’s important to you?

Start your goals with the things you enjoy and care about.

2. Be specific

The more specific your goals, the better. Instead of saying, "I want to be more active," specify what being active looks like for you, such as "I want to independently walk to the local park twice a week."

3. Make sure they’re measurable

For example, "I want to improve my cooking skills" can become "I want to learn to cook three full meals."

4. Think about timelines

It’s okay to have a mix of short-term and long-term goals in your plan, just be clear about the expected timelines for each goal.

5. Align them with NDIS support categories

For example, if your goal is to move into your own apartment, supports might be categorized under 'Home and Living.'

Examples of good NDIS goals

To give you a clearer picture, here are a few example goals:

• Short-term goal: "I want to use public transport on my own to visit my family by the end of this year."
• Long-term goal: "I want to gain employment in a field I'm passionate about within the next five years."

Reviewing your goals

Regularly reviewing your goals — especially during your plan review meetings — ensures that your supports continue to align with your aspirations.