The NDIS simplified into seven easy steps…

• Step 1: Apply & Get Prepared

  Learn how the NDIS works and what's expected of you.

  First off, check if you're eligible and apply. Information on how to apply is available on the NDIS website or alternatively, get in touch if you need any support with navigating this. The process can vary based on age.

  Refer to the NDIS Participant Book 1 ‘Ápplying For the NDIS’ to help you think about your life goals, so you’re all prepared for your first planning meeting.

  Schedule you first planning meeting with your Local Area Coordinator (LAC) or Early Childhood Partner.

• Step 2: Your NDIS Planning Meeting

  Go to your planning meeting prepared, so you get an NDIS plan that reflects your needs and goals.

  Firstly, you need to understand the basics of the NDIS, what they can fund and what they cant. Have a look at the NDIS website which has valuable information.

  Refer to the NDIS Participant Book 2 ‘Creating Your NDIS Plan’ to help you take notes and be clear about your goals and support needs.

  Ask a friend, family member , advocate, support coordinator or other chosen provider to come along for support.

  Ask for a summary or take notes to remind you what was discussed during your meeting.

  Be clear and specific about your needs and goals, so your planner understands what you want to include in your plan.

• Step 3: Get Familiar With Your Plan & Portal

  Once your NDIS plan is approved it’s up to you to check the details are correct, and you're happy with how the funds have been allocated. Your NDIS contact (LAC or Early Childhood Coordinator) should go through your plan with you. You can ask all the questions you need to make sure you understand your plan and haw to access the details in the NDIS online portal.

  Refer to the NDIS Participant Book 3 ‘Using Your NDIS Plan’ to help you take notes and be clear about your goals and support needs.

  You can raise any concerns you have with your NDIS contact ask for review if you have any issues with your plan.

  You are now ready to get in touch with providers and once you have decided who you will be using, let them know you’ve received your plan to make service agreements with them.

• Step 4: Understand How Your Plan Is Managed & Get Organised

  You are in control and throughout the course of your plan, it’s up to you to keep track of your spending and make sure service providers are being paid on time. How you make payments from your plan will vary depending on how you have chosen to manage your funds.

  If you asked for plan management during your planning meeting, it’s time to select a reliable plan manager and make your first service agreement.

  A service agreement is a legal agreement which describes the services you'll receive, funding that will be utilised and other details such as cancellation policies.

• Step 5: Find Providers for the Services & Supports In Your Plan

  Sometimes it can take some time to find service providers who meet your needs, are culturally sensitive and are people that you connect and get along with, who can motivate you to achieve your goals.

  If you have support coordination included in your plan, it’s time to pick a support coordinator, as your support coordinator will the one to support you to understand, navigate, connect and utilise your plan to achieve your goals.

  Set up service agreements with each of your chosen providers to confirm their costs, supports they’ll be providing and cancellation policies.

• Step 6: Use Your Plan & Track Your Progress

  You may change you providers or engage new ones at any time throughout your plan but now that all the planning and organising is complete, it’s time to receive your supports and start enjoying all the improvements they bring to your life.

  It is crucial that you keep all your invoices, plus a record for the supports you receive and when you receive them throughout the course of your plan, in case of an audit and to keep track of your budget and spending to avoid underspending or overspending.

• Step 7: Prepare For Your Plan Review

  Your plan will have a start and end date. The end date will determine when you plan review date will be and can take place any time within 100 days of your plan expiry date. Although you can change your goals at any time, your plan review is an opportunity to check if your supports are still relevant to you, discuss any supports which may have been missing or insufficient and gather any evidence to support your requests and needs. This can include progress reports and quotes.

  It is really important to make sure you are prepared. You can decide who will be at this meeting and can invite your provider, advocate, family or friend.