Getting Ready for Your First NDIS Planning Meeting

So, you’ve been accepted into the NDIS—congratulations! This means the NDIS agrees that you need support because of your disability. Now, you are waiting for a planning meeting with an NDIS Planner to talk about the help you need.

But lately, something unfair has been happening.

Instead of having a proper planning meeting, many people are getting a quick phone call from an NDIS Planner who tells them what their first plan will include—without asking them what they actually need!

If this happens to you, don’t panic. You have rights, and you can make sure your plan is fair.

This guide will help you prepare for your first planning discussion so you get the supports you need.

What is a First NDIS Planning Meeting?

Your NDIS planning meeting is supposed to be a conversation where you talk about:

✔️ Your daily life and the things you need help with
✔️ Your goals—things you want to get better at or do more independently
✔️ The supports you already have (family, friends, community help)
✔️ What NDIS-funded supports you need to live a good life

This is your chance to explain what support you need—so being ready is very important!

What is Happening Instead?

Right now, many people are waiting weeks or even months after getting their NDIS approval letter before they hear from an NDIS Planner.

Then, instead of a proper planning meeting, they are getting a quick phone call where:

🚫 The Planner tells them what support they will get without asking them first
🚫 They are told to use their first NDIS plan to gather more evidence and then ask for an internal review
🚫 If their plan isn’t right, they are left to fight for more funding later

This is NOT how the NDIS is supposed to work!

How to Make Sure This Doesn’t Happen to You

Follow these steps before your planning meeting to increase your chances of getting the right support in your first NDIS plan.

✍️ 1. Get Evidence Ready Before Your Plan is Made

The NDIS needs to see evidence about how your disability affects your daily life.

• Ask your doctor, therapist, or support worker to write about the help you need
• Write down what you need help with every day and how much help you need
• If a friend, family member, or carer helps you, they can write a statement about what they do for you
• Make a weekly schedule showing when and how you need help

This information helps the NDIS understand your real needs before they decide on your plan.

📊 2. Make a List of the Support You Need

Create a simple table to show:

Support	How Many Hours Per Week	Why You Need It
Support Worker	20 hours	Help with cooking, cleaning, shopping
Occupational Therapy	1 hour	Help with fine motor skills
Speech Therapy	1 hour	Help with communication
Social Support	5 hours	Help going to activities and appointments

This makes it clear and easy for the Planner to see what you need.

📞 3. What to Do When the NDIS Calls

If you get a quick phone call and they tell you what your plan will be (instead of asking you), here’s what to say:

🗣️ “I am not ready to discuss my plan today. I need time to collect evidence. Can you give me 3 weeks to prepare?”

Under NDIS law (Section 31 of the NDIS Act), your plan must:

• Be individualised (made for you, not a one-size-fits-all plan)
• Be directed by you (you have a say in what’s in your plan)
• Respect the role of family and carers
• Maximise your choice and independence

You have the right to ask for time to get more evidence before they decide your plan.

📧 4. Ask for Everything in Writing

Before ending the call, ask the NDIS Planner to email you:
✅ Confirmation that they are giving you time to gather more evidence
✅ A list of questions they need answered to provide the support you are asking for
✅ An Explanation of Decision letter, which explains why they are offering certain supports and not others

This helps you understand their decision and prepare for an internal review if needed.

What if You Get a Bad Plan?

If your plan doesn’t give you the support you need, you can:

1️⃣ Ask for an Explanation of Decision Letter—this will tell you why they made the decision
2️⃣ Request a Participant Information Access Request—this lets you see what the Planner wrote about you (Apply here: NDIS Participant Information Request)
3️⃣ Lodge an Internal Review—you have 3 months to do this if you disagree with your plan
4️⃣ Get help from an advocate—they can support you in the review process

Need Help?

If you want expert support to make sure you get the best possible first NDIS plan, book a Clarity Consult with us at The Good Fight.

We can help you:
✅ Gather strong evidence before your planning meeting
✅ Prepare questions to ask during the meeting
✅ Challenge bad decisions and fight for a fair plan

💬 Book a consult here: Clarity Consult

Your first NDIS plan is very important because it sets up your support for the future.

Make sure you:
✔️ Gather your evidence early
✔️ Write down the support you need
✔️ Ask for time to get more information if needed
✔️ Get everything in writing

You have the right to be part of the decision about your support—don’t let the NDIS decide for you!