Your first NDIS planning meeting: how the planning process works

In this article, we will look at what topics will be discussed during the meeting, what to prepare ahead of time and what to bring with you to ensure you get the best possible outcomes out of your meeting.

What will be discussed during my planning meeting?

Your first planning meeting, and future planning meetings, will all follow a similar format. The planner or your Local Area Coordinator (LAC) will ask questions about different areas of your life, your needs and the goals you would like to pursue. Together you will also discuss choosing the best way of managing your plan. All the information provided during the meeting will help develop the right support plan for you.

1. Your daily life and needs

The beginning of the meeting will be dedicated to finding out more about you, your daily life and your needs. After introducing themselves, the planner or the LAC will ask questions about your personal details, your current situation and how much support you require in your daily activities. 

For example, to find out more about you, they will ask what your living arrangements are, whether you are employed, what your interests are, who is in your social circle etc. Next, to establish the level of support you require in your day-to-day, they will ask you to rank your ability to engage in certain activities, for example, activities related to mobility, health and relationships.  

It’s a good idea to provide as much detail as possible so that your planner or LAC has a good understanding of what your daily life looks like.  

2. Your current goals

The next part of the meeting will focus on understanding your current goals to help you live life to the fullest. Sharing your goals is a very important part of the meeting, as any NDIS funding that you will receive will be directly linked to your goals. Your planner or LAC will ask about your short-term and long-term goals, and the outcomes you envision possible with NDIS funding. 

Taking some time to think about your goals ahead of the meeting can make a big difference and ensure you receive the adequate amount and right types of funding to pursue your goals. 

3. Managing your plan

Finally you will discuss different ways you can manage your funding (agency managed, self managed, plan managed or a combination) and decide on how to manage your funds. 

This is an important decision, so it is worthwhile to consider the best option for you before the meeting. The right choice for you will depend on your personal circumstances and how much time you’re willing to allocate to managing your funds. If you know someone who is an NDIS participant, it can be a good idea to ask them about plan management to gather insight from their experience. 

What to bring to your meeting

It’s a good idea to bring as many supporting documents as possible to help you illustrate what your daily life looks like and showcase your needs. Supporting documents you may wish to bring with you can include:

• Letters from doctors, therapists or employers
• Photographs or any other records that help paint a picture of your current situation and requirements. 

It’s important to start collecting supporting documents as early as possible to  have sufficient examples to present during the meeting.

For more information on NDIS planning meetings, check out our ‘How to ace a plan review’ guide.