NDIS plan

Your personal document setting out your goals and the funded supports for a set period.

What it means

An NDIS plan is your personal document, created with the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA), that sets out your goals and the supports the NDIS will fund for a set period. It is the central record of your NDIS arrangement, and it is unique to you and your situation.

Your plan describes what matters to you, the goals you want to work towards, and the funded supports that help you get there. Funding is usually organised across three budgets: Core supports for everyday activities, Capacity Building supports to develop your skills and independence, and Capital supports for larger items such as equipment or home modifications. The plan also records practical details, including how your funding is managed and who helps you put it into action.

In practice

You use your plan to arrange and pay for supports and services that fit your goals. Once it is approved, you can start choosing providers, booking supports, and using your funding within the rules of each budget. A support coordinator or your plan manager can help you understand what is available and how to make the most of it.

It helps to keep track of how your funding is being used across your plan period so it lasts and continues to meet your needs. Before your plan ends, the NDIA reviews it through a plan reassessment, where your goals and supports are checked and funding is updated. Keeping notes on what worked well, and what you would like to change, makes that conversation easier and more focused on your future.

A real example

For example, after joining the NDIS, Tom sat down with a planner to talk about his goals, including cooking his own meals and joining a local sports club. His approved plan set out funding across the three budgets, so he could book a support worker and pay for skill-building sessions that matched those goals.

NDIS plan — FAQs

What is an NDIS plan?
An NDIS plan is your personal document that records your goals and the supports the NDIS will fund for a set period. It usually organises funding across three budgets: Core, Capacity Building and Capital. You use the plan to arrange and pay for the supports and services that help you work towards your goals.
How long does an NDIS plan last?
Plans run for a set period, and the length varies depending on your circumstances and goals. Some plans are shorter while others are longer, especially where a person's situation is stable. Your plan states its own timeframe, and the NDIA reviews it through a plan reassessment before it ends to check your supports still fit.
Can I change my NDIS plan?
Yes. If your needs or situation change, you can ask the NDIA for a plan reassessment rather than waiting until your plan ends. This is sometimes prompted by a change of situation. You can also adjust how you use flexible funding within a budget, provided you stay within the plan's rules and stated funding.
What are the three budgets in my plan?
Your plan's funding is generally grouped into three budgets. Core supports help with everyday activities and daily living. Capacity Building supports help you build skills and independence towards your goals. Capital supports cover larger items such as assistive technology or home modifications. Each budget has its own rules about how the funding can be used.
How do I start using my NDIS plan?
Once your plan is approved, you can begin choosing providers and arranging the supports it funds. Read through your goals and budgets so you understand what is available. A support coordinator or plan manager can help you find services, make bookings and keep track of spending so your funding lasts across the plan period.

Explore more NDIS resources

Official NDIS sources

Novida is an independent directory, not the NDIA. We explain each form in plain English and link you to the official copy — always download and submit the current version from the official website, as forms are updated from time to time.