A planning meeting is your opportunity to describe what a good, ordinary and fulfilling life looks like for you – not just the tasks you find difficult. Knowing how to prepare for an NDIS planning meeting can help you speak with confidence about your goals, the support you need and the changes that would make daily life safer, easier and more connected.
You do not need to have every answer ready or use NDIS language perfectly. Your lived experience matters. A little preparation simply gives you the space to explain what is working, what is not, and what support would help you move forward on your terms.
Start with the life you want to build
Before thinking about funding categories, take time to consider what matters most to you now and over the next 12 months or so. Your goals can be practical, personal, social or long-term. They may relate to living more independently, building confidence, looking after your health, finding work, studying, seeing friends or taking part in your community.
Try to make each goal personal and meaningful. Rather than saying, “I need support at home”, you could explain, “I want to prepare simple meals safely and keep my home organised so I can continue living independently.” Instead of “I need transport”, you might say, “I want to travel to my exercise program and visit family without relying on someone every time.”
There is no need to choose goals that sound impressive. The right goals are the ones that reflect your life, culture, relationships, interests and priorities. For a child or young person, they may also reflect family routines, school participation, friendships and growing independence.
Make notes about your everyday support needs
The strongest preparation is often a clear picture of an ordinary week. Write down the activities that take extra time, cause pain, create stress, require supervision or cannot be completed safely without help. Include what happens on good days as well as difficult days. This gives the planner a more realistic understanding of your support needs.
Think across daily life, including personal care, cooking, cleaning, shopping, attending appointments, managing money, communicating, using transport, taking medication, maintaining relationships and joining community activities. Also consider support that may be less visible, such as prompts, emotional regulation, assistance to understand information, behaviour support or help to recover after an activity.
It can help to record who currently provides support and how often. This may be a family member, friend, carer, therapist, school, employer or service provider. Be honest about whether those arrangements are sustainable. Informal support is valuable, but it should not be assumed that family members can provide unlimited care without impact on their own health, work or wellbeing.
If your needs vary, say so. For example, fatigue, pain, anxiety, seizures, sensory overload or changes in mental health can mean that support looks different from one day to the next. Explain the pattern and the practical impact, rather than trying to fit your experience into a simple average.
Gather evidence that tells your story
Reports and assessments can help show why particular disability supports are needed. Bring recent documents where possible, particularly if your circumstances, functional capacity or goals have changed. Useful evidence may include reports or letters from allied health professionals, specialists, GPs, psychologists, therapists, schools or support coordinators.
The most helpful evidence generally explains your functional needs and recommends support linked to your goals. A diagnosis alone may not explain how disability affects your day-to-day life. For instance, an occupational therapy report may describe the assistance you need with personal care, meal preparation or home safety. A physiotherapy or exercise physiology report may outline mobility needs, strength goals or falls risks.
You do not need to delay your meeting because one report is not ready. Take what you have and explain what further evidence is being prepared. It is also sensible to keep copies of everything you provide, including a short list of documents handed over during the meeting.
Think about the supports that could help
When considering supports, connect each request to a goal and an everyday need. This makes it easier to explain the outcome you are seeking. You might need assistance with daily living, transport, support coordination, therapies, assistive technology, employment supports, social and community participation, or short-term respite for you and your carers.
Be specific about the result, while remaining open to the best way to achieve it. For example, you may know that you need help to access the community safely, but the type and amount of support may depend on your skills, local transport options, personal safety and available informal supports.
It is also worth considering what has worked in your current plan. If a service has helped you become more independent, maintain your health or stay connected with others, explain why it should continue. If funding has been difficult to use, or a support did not suit you, say that too. A plan should be designed around you, not force you into a standard program.
Choose who you would like beside you
You can bring someone you trust to your NDIS planning meeting. This could be a family member, friend, advocate, support coordinator, nominee or health professional. Their role is to support your voice, not speak over you.
Before the meeting, agree on what you want them to help with. They might take notes, prompt you if an important topic is missed, explain a report, or help describe the support they provide. If you need an interpreter, Auslan interpreter, communication aid or other accessibility adjustment, raise this as early as possible so the meeting can be arranged in a way that works for you.
If you prefer to speak for yourself, that is equally valid. A written statement, dot-point notes or a communication device can help you share your views at your own pace.
Prepare questions for the planner or LAC
Meetings can move quickly, especially when there is a lot to discuss. Keep a short list of questions on your mobile or on paper. You may want to ask how your goals will be reflected in the plan, what evidence is still needed, when you can expect a decision, and what to do if your circumstances change.
You can also ask for information to be explained in plain language. If you do not understand a term, a funding decision or the next step, ask. It is better to seek clarity in the meeting than leave feeling uncertain about what was discussed.
During the meeting, be clear and honest
Start with what matters most. If independence at home, staying connected to family, finding suitable accommodation, managing your health or building work skills is your priority, say so early. Give real examples. “My sister reminds me to eat most days” is clearer than “I struggle with routines.” “I have missed three appointments because I cannot travel alone” shows the practical impact of a transport barrier.
You do not have to minimise your needs to appear capable, and you do not have to focus only on what is difficult. Both your strengths and your support needs belong in the conversation. The goal is a plan that recognises your capacity while providing the right assistance to build on it.
Take notes or ask your support person to do so. Before the meeting ends, check that the key points have been covered: your goals, changes in your life, current supports, evidence provided and any next actions.
After the meeting, keep the momentum going
When you receive your plan, read it carefully and compare it with the conversation you had. Check the stated goals, funding periods, budget categories and whether you understand how the funding is managed. If something seems unclear or does not reflect your needs, seek advice promptly about the options available to you.
Once your plan is in place, choosing dependable providers can make a meaningful difference. A trusted registered disability provider should take time to understand your goals and offer support that respects your preferences, routines and dignity. Whether you need daily living assistance, transport, life-skills development, respite, wellbeing support or supported accommodation, the best support is support designed around you.
A planning meeting is not a test of how well you can explain disability. It is a conversation about the life you want and the practical help that can make that life more possible. Bring your goals, your experiences and the people you trust – then give yourself permission to ask for support that helps you live well, on your terms.
