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What is an NDIS planning meeting – everything you need to know!

Your NDIS planning meeting is the most important step of your NDIS application to help determine what your plan and funding will look like. In this resource we answer the 7 main question about what to expect from your NDIS planning meeting , including:

What is a planning meeting?

A planning meeting is a conversation held between the participant (and/or their representative/nominee), and an NDIA representative (Local Area Coordination or Planner) about their current supports, goals and needs. This meeting will take place after your NDIS application has been approved, and before you receive your actual plan and funding.

This step of the process is the most important as it’s your opportunity to discuss with the NDIS what you would like to use your funding for including what goals you are working towards, and what supports can help you achieve those.

Who runs the meeting?

One of these following people, known as an NDIA representative will be there to run and manage your meeting:

  • An Early Childhood Early Intervention Coordinator (ECEI Coordinators) – someone who supports children with disability and their families (under the age of 9)
  • A Local Area Coordinator (LAC) – someone who helps people with disability find and use services and supports
  • An NDIA Planner – someone who makes AND approves new plans

It is up to you if you wish to have another support person attend the meeting with you. This can be especially helpful if you need support in communicating your needs, but also because it can be a tiring and overwhelming experience so having someone else there who can support you, and provide guidance or assist in answering questions on your behalf is also really helpful.

If you are not in the position to attend the meeting on your own, or do not have the capacity to do so and do not have a support person who can attend with you then you may want to consider finding an NDIS advocate who can support you at this meeting.

CLICK HERE for more information on How to Find an Advocate

Where is the meeting held? 

Your NDIA planning meeting can be held over the phone, zoom or in-person – the ECEI, LAC or Planner will advise this when the appointment is made.

It is up to YOU if you prefer to have a face to face or phone meeting and the planner is organising something that doesn’t suit you – speak up! Let them know what is best for you.

TIP: Record and save the details of your meeting and person you will be meeting with – including the LAC/Planner/ECEI’s name, email and phone number if you need to get in contact.

How long is the meeting? 

The planning meeting usually takes between 1 and 2 hours.

There is a lot to discuss during this time, so preparing your notes and documents beforehand and writing down any questions you may have can be really helpful to make the most of this time with your NDIA representative. Remember: this is your opportunity to clearly reflect how your disability impacts your day to day, and what type of supports you need to help you work towards your goals!

What if I can’t attend the meeting? 

If you are not in a position or unavailable to complete your planning conversation over the phone or in-person, contact your ECEI, LAC or Planner and the NDIS will make alternative planning arrangements.

What questions will be asked?

The representative will ask you a number of questions to help get a better picture of you, your needs and wants. It can be helpful to give yourself a chance to prepare some of these questions and consider how you might answer these beforehand, so that you don’t miss out on important information.

If there is something important you want to mention – write this down beforehand and repeat this during the meeting so you don’t forget.

During your NDIS planning meeting you will be asked questions about your:

  • Personal details – Name, age, address, primary disability, living arrangements, hobbies. This forms the About YOU section of your plan
  • Formal & Informal supports – Activities and help you get from family, friends, your community, carers etc.
  • Day-to-day activities – How you manage your everyday activities and what is needed to complete your day-to-day activities including supports, services, technology, equipment, accommodation, products etc.
  • Level of independence & safety – Activities or tasks which you need help to do independently and/or safely. This can include anything you do a daily, weekly, monthly, yearly or ad hoc basis. 
  • How you want your plan to be managed financially: Will your plan be plan-managed, self-managed, or agency managed. Plan Management is highly recommended as an option to ease the stress around your plan funding. This is where Plan Hero comes in! You have flexibility to use registered and unregistered providers, we arrange all your bill payments, tracking and bookkeeping hassles.
  • Your goals: What goals you wish to achieve in the next 0-12 months
  • Supports needed: How the NDIS can support you to overcome the impact of your disability and achieve these goals – such as the services, supports, equipment, technology etc.

Tip: WRITE DOWN the questions you want to ask! The planning meeting can be overwhelming, and you might forget what you want to ask, so have it handy and written down

What do I need to bring to my planning meeting?

You can prepare these documents and send this to your planner/LAC before your meeting. Make sure you keep a copy of all your documents so you can also refer to these at any stage.

  • Someone to support you
  • Any questions you want to ask 
  • Your NDIS participant bookle
  • Any letters from the NDIA
  • Your reports/assessments
  • Your bank account details (if you are considering self-managing all or a portion of your NDIS funding)
  • Your myGov login and password details (if you need help with this, talk to your ECEI Coordinator, LAC or NDIA planner).

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