An NDIS plan can look like a wall of headings and dollar figures. It becomes much easier to use once you know what each part is for and which questions to ask of it.
This guide explains the main parts of a plan in general terms. Every plan is different, so treat it as a map for reading your own plan, not a description of what yours must contain.
The parts of a plan you will usually see
Your goals
Goals are written in your words, or close to them. They describe what you want to work towards, such as living more independently, building skills or getting out and about. The goals matter because supports in a plan are meant to connect back to them.
Your funded supports
This is the part with the money attached. Funding is usually grouped into support budgets, and the NDIS describes these in three broad categories. The table below gives the general idea. The exact wording, and what sits where, is set out in your own plan.
| Budget category | What it generally relates to | A question worth asking |
|---|---|---|
| Core supports | Day-to-day help, such as help around the home or with everyday activities | Does this budget match the help I actually use in a normal week? |
| Capacity building supports | Building skills and independence over time | Which of my goals is each of these supports meant to help with? |
| Capital supports | Things like equipment or changes to a home, where they are in a plan | Is there anything I need that is not covered yet? |
This is general information, not advice about a specific plan. Funding rules and individual circumstances differ.
How your plan is managed
Plans can be managed in different ways: by the NDIA, by a plan manager, by you, or by a mix. This affects who pays providers and who keeps track of spending, and it can affect which providers you are able to use. If you are not sure how yours is managed, it is stated in the plan.
Reading your plan before a conversation
You do not need to memorise your plan. A short, focused read beforehand is usually more useful than a long one.
- 1Read your goals first
Ask whether they still sound like you. If something has changed, write it down.
- 2Look at each budget alongside your week
For each category, think about the supports you use and whether the funding seems to fit them.
- 3Note what is working
It helps to know what you would like to keep, as well as what you would like to change.
- 4Note what is missing
Write down any support you needed but could not find funding for, and what happened because of it.
- 5Write your questions down
Bring a short list. Even two or three clear questions will steer the conversation.
If you are unsure whether something can be paid for from your plan, ask your planner, your support coordinator or the NDIS directly before you book it. It is easier to check first than to sort it out afterwards.
Where the details depend on you
Some things vary from person to person and over time: how much funding a plan holds, how long it runs, what you may use it for and when it is reviewed. Those details are written in your plan and set out on the NDIS website. If anything in your plan conflicts with a general guide like this one, follow your plan and ask for clarification.
Where to go next
If a plan is hard to read on your own, a support coordinator can help you work through it and connect you with supports. You can read about support coordination at WSS, or get ready for a planning conversation with our checklist. If you would like to talk it through, you are welcome to make an enquiry.
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About the author
WSS Resources Team
Western Sydney Services.
