My NDIS goals — statement for your planning meeting

Put your short- and long-term goals into words before your planning meeting.

Who it's for

This template is for participants getting ready for a planning meeting or plan review, and for the families, carers or support coordinators helping them prepare. If you want your plan to reflect what actually matters to you, writing your goals down first is a great start.

It works whether this is your first NDIS plan or your fifth. You do not need formal language or perfect grammar. This is your chance to say, in your own words, what a good life looks like for you and what you want to work towards over the next year and beyond.

Why write it

Planning meetings can feel rushed, and it is easy to leave without saying what you meant to. Preparing a goals statement keeps the conversation focused on you rather than only on paperwork or personal care.

Your goals shape your plan. When you connect them to everyday life, work, study, relationships and community, the planner can see why certain supports help you get there. Clear goals also give you and your providers something to steer by during the year, so support builds towards the life you want instead of just filling in time.

How to write it

Split your goals into short-term, the next twelve months, and longer-term, a few years out. Short-term might be catching public transport on your own; longer-term might be living more independently or holding down a job you enjoy.

Name the everyday things that are hard right now, and the support that would help. For example: 'Cooking safely is hard, so I want support to build kitchen skills.' Tie goals to daily life, work, study and community, not only personal care.

Describe what a good life looks like for you, the people, places and activities that matter. Keep each goal specific enough to act on, bring the statement to your meeting, and update it as things change through the year.

Template

My NDIS goals
Name: [your name]   NDIS number: [123456789]

In the next 12 months, I want to:
[e.g. build confidence catching public transport on my own; start a TAFE course; join a weekly social group.]

In the longer term, I want to:
[e.g. live more independently; find part-time work; strengthen friendships and community connections.]

Things that are hard for me right now:
[Describe the everyday things that are difficult and where you need support.]

The support that would help me reach these goals:
[e.g. support-worker hours, capacity-building therapy, assistive technology, help with skills.]

What a good life looks like for me:
[Describe, in your own words, what you’re working towards.]

About this template

What is an NDIS goals statement?
It is a short document a participant prepares before a planning meeting, setting out their short-term and longer-term goals, the everyday things that are hard now, and the support that would help. It keeps the meeting focused on what matters to you and guides how your plan and supports are built through the year.
What makes a good NDIS goal?
A good goal is personal, specific and connected to your daily life, such as work, study, transport, relationships or community, not only personal care. It says what you want to do and hints at the support that would help. Avoid vague wording; 'travel to my TAFE course independently' is clearer and more useful than 'be more independent'.
How many goals should I include?
There is no fixed number, but a handful of meaningful goals usually works better than a long list. Pick the things that matter most right now, mixing short-term goals for the next twelve months with one or two longer-term goals. You can always add or adjust goals at your next review as your priorities change.
Do my goals have to be about disability supports?
Not directly. Goals are about the life you want: living more independently, working, studying, making friends, joining activities. The planning conversation then looks at what reasonable and necessary supports could help you pursue them. Focus on your aspirations first, and let the supports follow from there rather than starting with services.
Can someone help me write it?
Yes. Family, carers, a support coordinator or an advocate can help you think through and write your goals, as long as it reflects what you want. Talk it over, jot down ideas, then shape them into short statements. Bring the finished version to your meeting so your planner clearly understands your priorities.

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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.