Preparing for Your NDIS Planning Meeting
How to prepare for your NDIS planning meeting: what to bring, what to say, real examples and a checklist so your plan reflects your real support needs.
What an NDIS planning meeting actually is
Before you go: gather your evidence
Setting goals the NDIS can fund
What the planner will ask you
How the 2026-27 reforms may affect your meeting
During the meeting: how to speak up
Bringing a support person or advocate
After the meeting: what happens next
If your plan isn't right
If services you need don't exist yet
Your quick preparation checklist
Frequently asked questions
How long does an NDIS planning meeting take?
Most meetings run for around one to two hours, though it varies with how complex your situation is. It's worth allowing extra time so you don't feel rushed, and you can ask for a break or a follow-up if you need one. Coming in with written notes helps you cover everything within the time.
Can I bring someone with me to my NDIS planning meeting?
Yes, absolutely. You can bring a family member, carer, friend, independent advocate or a funded support coordinator, and it's a good idea to bring someone who knows you well. They can help fill in details you might forget or downplay. Let the NDIA know in advance if you need an interpreter or any other access support.
What if I forget to mention something important in the meeting?
Tell your planner as soon as you realise, ideally before the plan is finalised, and provide any supporting evidence. If your plan is already approved and something important is missing, you can request an internal review of the decision, generally within three months. An advocate or support coordinator can help you do this.
Will the 2026-27 reforms change my planning meeting?
They might, depending on when your plan renews. Community participation budgets are being reset progressively from 1 October 2026, and a new planning framework with a formal support-needs assessment begins rolling out from 1 April 2027. Critical daily-living and personal-care supports are not part of the participation reset. These dates have shifted before, so confirm what applies to you with the NDIA.
Do I have to have my goals worked out before the meeting?
It really helps, but they don't need to be perfect. Even a few plain sentences about what you want your life to look like give the planner something concrete to build funding around. You can refine your goals during the conversation, and the planner can help you shape them.