How to Prepare for an NDIS Assessment
Practical steps to prepare for an NDIS assessment — documenting a typical day, your hardest days, listing the help you need and bringing a support person.
An assessment can feel like a lot to hold in your head, especially on the day. The good news is that a little preparation makes a real difference — and it is entirely within your control. This guide gives you a calm, practical way to get ready: mapping a typical day, remembering your hardest days, listing the help you rely on, gathering your evidence, and bringing someone to support you.
Start by mapping a typical day
Do not forget your hardest days
List the help you need
Gather and organise your evidence
Bring a support person
On the day itself
Frequently asked questions
What should I bring to an NDIS assessment?
Bring current evidence from your treating team, a short summary of your diagnoses and medications, and your notes describing a typical day and your hardest days. Keeping copies together in one folder means you are not searching for documents on the day. A support person is also worth bringing.
Can I have someone with me during the assessment?
Yes. You can have a family member, friend, advocate or support worker with you. They can help you remember details, prompt you if you understate a difficulty, take notes and provide reassurance. Choose someone who knows your daily life and who you feel comfortable being honest in front of.
Why do I need to describe my bad days?
Because many conditions vary, and a plan based only on your good days may not cover your real needs. Describing your hardest days — how often they happen and what help you need — gives an honest, complete picture. This is essential information, not over-claiming.
How do I describe my support needs clearly?
Be specific for each activity: who helps, what they do, how long it takes, and what happens without that help. Saying what goes wrong when support is not there makes the functional impact clear. Mapping a typical day in order helps you capture the details you might otherwise skip.
What if I get nervous and forget things?
That is common. Writing your typical day and hardest days down in advance means you are not relying on memory under pressure, and a support person can gently fill gaps. Afterwards, note anything you wish you had said in case you can add it later.
How recent should my evidence be?
As current as possible. A recent report describing how your disability affects everyday activities carries more weight than an old one that only lists a diagnosis. If key evidence is out of date, ask your treating team whether it can be refreshed before your assessment.