What is an NDIS check-in call?

It is a short conversation between you and someone connected to your plan, often your NDIA contact, Local Area Coordinator or Early Childhood partner. The purpose is to see how your plan is going and whether your supports are working for you. It is usually informal and does not, by itself, change your plan or your funding.

Will a check-in change my plan?

No, not on its own. A check-in is a conversation, not a decision-making meeting, so your funding does not shift just because you had one. It can, however, be the starting point for a change. If it shows your needs have changed, it may lead to a separate discussion about a reassessment of your plan.

How should I prepare for a check-in?

Spend a few minutes noting three things: what is working well, what is not working, and anything that has changed since your plan started. Glance over your plan and its goals, and think of any questions you want to ask. You can also have a family member, carer or support person with you to help you remember details.

Should I mention supports that are not working?

Yes. Being honest about gaps is one of the most useful things you can do. A check-in only helps if it reflects your real situation. Explain what is not working and why, whether it is trouble finding a provider, a support you did not know how to start, or something that no longer fits your needs. This helps you get the right help.

Can I ask questions during a check-in?

Absolutely. A check-in is a good moment to ask about anything you are unsure of, such as whether a support is funded, how to start using part of your plan, or where to find a particular service. Writing your questions down beforehand helps you remember them, so you leave the conversation clearer about your next steps.

What if my needs have changed since my plan started?

Raise it during the check-in. If your situation has changed in a real way, the conversation can lead to talking about a reassessment, which is a separate, more formal process where your plan and funding can be looked at again. Keep your own notes of what changed and what was discussed to bring to that later conversation.

NDIS check-in calls — what they are and how to prepare

What a check-in with your NDIA contact, LAC or Early Childhood partner is really for.

A check-in is a short conversation with someone from the NDIS side of your plan, often your NDIA contact, Local Area Coordinator or Early Childhood partner. It is a chance to talk about how things are going.

This guide explains what a check-in is for, how to prepare in a few minutes, what to raise, and when a check-in might lead to a bigger conversation about changing your plan.

In this guide

A check-in is a short chat with your NDIA contact, Local Area Coordinator or Early Childhood partner.
It is there to see how your plan is going and whether your supports are working for you.
A check-in does not, by itself, change your plan.
A little preparation helps: note what is working, what isn't, and anything that has changed.
If your needs have changed, a check-in can lead to talking about a reassessment.

What a check-in is

A check-in is simply a short conversation between you and someone connected to your plan. That might be your NDIA contact, your Local Area Coordinator, or your Early Childhood partner if you are working with early childhood services.

It is usually informal and does not take long. The person is not there to test you or catch you out. They want to hear, in your own words, how your plan is going and whether the supports in it are actually helping.

It is worth knowing that a check-in by itself does not change your plan. Nothing about your funding shifts just because you had a conversation. That can make a check-in feel lower pressure, because it is a chance to talk openly rather than a formal decision-making meeting.

What it's for

The main purpose of a check-in is to see how your plan is working in practice. Plans are written with certain expectations, and life does not always match them. A check-in is where the two can be compared.

It gives you a chance to say what is going well, so the things that work can continue. It also gives you space to flag anything that is not working, whether that is a support you cannot access, a provider issue, or a goal that no longer fits.

For the person you speak with, a check-in helps them understand your situation and point you towards help. They may suggest connections in your community, explain supports you have not used, or, if things have changed a lot, talk about next steps. The conversation itself is the tool, not a change to your plan.

How to prepare

You do not need to prepare for hours, but a few minutes of thinking beforehand makes a check-in far more useful. The goal is to walk in knowing the main things you want to say.

Jot down three simple lists: what is working well, what is not working, and anything that has changed in your life or your support needs since your plan started. These notes keep you from forgetting something important once you are on the call.

If you can, glance over your plan and its goals before the conversation so they are fresh in your mind. You might also think of a couple of questions you want to ask. Having a support person, family member or carer with you can help too, especially if they can add detail or help you remember.

What to raise

The most useful thing you can do in a check-in is be honest, including about the gaps. It can be tempting to say everything is fine, but a check-in only helps if it reflects your real situation.

Raise the supports that are working, so their value is clear. Raise the ones that are not, and say why, whether it is trouble finding a provider, a support you did not know how to start, or something that simply is not fitting your needs.

Mention any changes, such as a new living situation, a change in your health or disability, or new goals. Ask your questions too. If you are unsure whether something is funded, how to use part of your plan, or where to find a service, a check-in is a good moment to ask.

When a check-in leads to a plan change

A check-in does not change your plan on its own, but it can be the starting point for one. If the conversation shows that your needs have changed in a real way, it can lead to a discussion about a reassessment of your plan.

A reassessment is a separate, more formal process where your plan and funding can actually be looked at again. The check-in is where the need for it might first come up, but the plan is not altered in that conversation.

This is why keeping your own notes matters. If you record what was discussed, what you raised, and what was suggested, you have a clear picture to bring to any later conversation. Details about how reassessments work are available on ndis.gov.au and in the NDIS Our Guidelines, and the person you check in with can explain the next steps.

Frequently asked questions

What is an NDIS check-in call?: It is a short conversation between you and someone connected to your plan, often your NDIA contact, Local Area Coordinator or Early Childhood partner. The purpose is to see how your plan is going and whether your supports are working for you. It is usually informal and does not, by itself, change your plan or your funding.
Will a check-in change my plan?: No, not on its own. A check-in is a conversation, not a decision-making meeting, so your funding does not shift just because you had one. It can, however, be the starting point for a change. If it shows your needs have changed, it may lead to a separate discussion about a reassessment of your plan.
How should I prepare for a check-in?: Spend a few minutes noting three things: what is working well, what is not working, and anything that has changed since your plan started. Glance over your plan and its goals, and think of any questions you want to ask. You can also have a family member, carer or support person with you to help you remember details.
Who will I speak with during a check-in?: It is usually someone from the NDIS side of your plan. That is often your NDIA contact, your Local Area Coordinator, or your Early Childhood partner if you are working with early childhood services. They are there to hear how your plan is going and to help point you towards supports, not to test or catch you out.
Should I mention supports that are not working?: Yes. Being honest about gaps is one of the most useful things you can do. A check-in only helps if it reflects your real situation. Explain what is not working and why, whether it is trouble finding a provider, a support you did not know how to start, or something that no longer fits your needs. This helps you get the right help.
Can I ask questions during a check-in?: Absolutely. A check-in is a good moment to ask about anything you are unsure of, such as whether a support is funded, how to start using part of your plan, or where to find a particular service. Writing your questions down beforehand helps you remember them, so you leave the conversation clearer about your next steps.
What if my needs have changed since my plan started?: Raise it during the check-in. If your situation has changed in a real way, the conversation can lead to talking about a reassessment, which is a separate, more formal process where your plan and funding can be looked at again. Keep your own notes of what changed and what was discussed to bring to that later conversation.

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.