Understanding your first NDIS plan

Receiving your first NDIS plan is an exciting milestone, but the paperwork can feel overwhelming at first. Here is a simple walkthrough of what your plan actually contains and how to use it.

What is in your plan?

Your plan is built around your goals — the things you want to achieve in daily life, at home, at work and in the community. Around those goals, funding is organised into three areas:

• Core supports — everyday help such as personal care, domestic assistance, transport and community participation.
• Capacity building supports — supports that build your skills over time, like therapy, employment assistance and support coordination.
• Capital supports — larger one-off purchases such as assistive technology or home modifications.

Who helps you use it?

Most participants work with a Local Area Coordinator (LAC) or a Support Coordinator. They help you understand your budgets, connect with providers and make sure the services you receive line up with your goals.

You can choose to self-manage, use a plan manager, or have the NDIA manage the payments — the choice affects how flexible your spending can be.

Tips for your first plan meeting

1. Think about your goals before the meeting and write them down.
2. Bring reports from your doctor, therapist or school if you have them.
3. Bring a trusted family member or friend for support.
4. Ask questions — nothing is too small to clarify.

After the plan arrives

Read it carefully and check the funding categories make sense for your life. If something looks wrong, you can ask for a review. Plans are typically reviewed every 12 months or when your circumstances change.

Remember: your plan is yours. It should reflect the life you want to build — not just the services that are easiest to arrange.