For many participants, a meeting with the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) is a source of significant stress. Whether you are hoping to change your supports or simply roll over your current funding, the key to a successful outcome is preparation.

You may have noticed a change in the language recently. The NDIA has officially updated its terminology, replacing the old term “NDIS plan review” with “NDIS plan reassessment“. While the name has changed to better reflect the process of reassessing your support needs, the goal remains the same. You need to demonstrate that your requested supports are reasonable, necessary and critical for your independence.

To help you feel confident and in control, we have compiled this expert checklist of 7 things you must do before your meeting.

1. Review and Update Your NDIS Goals

Your plan is built around your aspirations. Before your meeting, look closely at your current NDIS goals. Have you achieved them? Are they still relevant to your life? If your goals have changed, your plan needs to change to match them. Be ready to clearly articulate what you want to achieve in the next 12 months, whether that is moving out of home, finding a job or learning a new skill.

2. Gather Your Evidence and Reports

When preparing for an NDIS plan review or reassessment meeting, documentation is your most powerful tool. Collect up-to-date reports from your therapists (OT, Physio, Speech Pathologist) and other providers. These reports must clearly link the support they provide to your specific disability needs and your progress towards your goals.

3. Prepare for the New Funding Periods

This is a critical new change for 2025. For all new and reassessed plans created after 19 May 2025, the NDIA has introduced funding periods. Instead of receiving your entire budget as a lump sum for the year, funding is now generally released in 3-month installments.

How to prepare:

• Check your cash flow: You need to ensure your spending is paced evenly. If you spend a 3-month allocation in the first month, you’ll be left with zero funds until the next period starts.
• Talk to your providers: Ensure your service agreements align with these quarterly releases so you are not committing to costs you cannot cover in a single period.

4. Assess Your Budget Utilisation

Look at your spending over the last plan. Did you spend all your allocated funds? If you have a significant underspend, the NDIA may assume you don’t need that level of funding. Be prepared to explain why funds weren’t used (e.g., long waitlists for therapy or lack of available support workers).

5. Document What Worked and What Didn’t

Make a clear list of the supports that had a positive impact and those that failed to deliver results. This is your chance to advocate for changes. If a provider wasn’t a good fit or a specific therapy didn’t help, tell the planner why.

6. Build Your ‘Value for Money’ Argument

The NDIA is legislated to ensure supports represent value for money. You can strengthen your position by showing that you are already making smart, cost-effective choices.

This is where choosing an efficient provider like MACS is a major advantage. Because our drop-in model avoids the expensive 2-hour minimum shift fees common with other providers, we help you get more support hours out of the same budget. Demonstrating to the NDIA that you are using a provider who optimises your funding is a powerful way to justify maintaining or increasing your Core Supports budget.

7. Organise Your Support Team

You do not have to do this alone. Decide who will attend the NDIS plan reassessment meeting with you. This could be your Support Coordinator, a family member, a friend or an advocate. Their role is to take notes, provide moral support and ensure you don’t forget to raise your key points.

An Expert Partner for Your NDIS Journey

Navigating the NDIS plan review can be complex, but having the right partners makes it easier. At MACS, we don’t just provide support workers. We provide the expertise and flexible models that help you prove to the NDIA that you are using your funds effectively.

See our free Plan Reassessment Checklist above and contact MACS today to learn how our efficient support model can help you demonstrate value for money in your next plan.

MACS NDIS Plan Reassessment Readiness Checklist

Be Prepared. Be Confident. Get the Most from Your Plan.

Going into a Plan Reassessment (formerly Plan Review) can be stressful. Use this checklist to ensure you have everything you need to advocate for the funding and support you deserve.

1. Update Your Goals

• Write down 1-3 short-term goals (next 12 months).
• Write down 1-2 long-term goals (next 2-5 years).

Tip: Ensure every support you request links back to one of these goals.

2. Collect Your Evidence

• Current OT / Physio / Speech Pathology reports.
• Letters from medical specialists.
• Quotes for any Assistive Technology or Home Modifications.

3. Review Your Spending

• Check your portal: Did you underspend last year?
• Write down the reasons why (e.g., COVID delays, provider waitlists).

Tip: Unspent funds are often cut. Have a clear reason why you need them back.

4. Prepare for Funding Periods (3-Month Cycles)

• Review your weekly/monthly support usage.
• Calculate if your current spending fits into a quarterly limit.
• Speak to providers about updating Service Agreements to match 3-month releases.

5. Audit Your Roster

• Are you paying for 2-hour blocks when you only need 30 minutes?
• Are you paying for overnight “sleepovers” just for safety?

Action: Highlight these inefficiencies to discuss with your planner.

6. The MACS Advantage

If you use MACS, bring your service invoices, show the planner how paying for drop-in time rather than block time saves the NDIS money.

Script: “I use a flexible provider (MACS) to ensure I only pay for the exact minutes of support I need. This demonstrates I am managing my Core budget efficiently.”

7. Choose Your Meeting Support

• Confirm who is attending with you (Support Coordinator / Family / Advocate).
• Set a pre-meeting time to review this checklist with them.

Need a support provider that helps your funding go further? MACS (Mobile Attendant Care Service) offers flexible, 15-minute increment support that eliminates fund wastage.

Web: macsinc.org.au | Phone: 07 3857 0333