How do I know if I am eligible for the NDIS?

When you have provided all the necessary information, the NDIA will decide whether you are eligible for the NDIS. You will receive a letter to tell you about the decision. This is called an ‘Access Decision’. 

If you are NDIS eligible, you will be contacted by a Local Area Coordinator (LAC) or a representative of the NDIS to make an appointment to start the planning process.

If you are not eligible for an NDIS plan, an LAC can offer assistance in connecting you to services, supports and activities in your community and other government services. There are a range of services within the community which can provide support to people who are found not NDIS eligible.

 

When is it a good time to start planning?

You will receive a letter to tell you about the access decision. If you are advised that you have met the eligibility requirements for the scheme and are NDIS eligible, this is a good time to start planning for your meeting.

You will also be contacted by a LAC or a representative of the NDIS to make an appointment to start the process of creating your NDIS plan.

How do I prepare for my planning meeting?

To get ready for your meeting, think about your current supports and who provides them, and what supports and services you may need to achieve your goals.

It is recommended that you prepare a planning meeting checklist prior to your meeting:

• fill out the NDIS Planning Booklet 2
• outline your usual week, the things that are working well and if there is anything you would like to change
• give consideration to your goals and what you would like to achieve with support from the NDIS and other supports and services
• write down any questions you’d like to ask
• decide who you would like to come to your planning meeting with you
• gather any other information or reports you think would be helpful for the NDIS to understand the impact of your disability and your personal circumstances
  

What you should bring to your planning meeting:

• Your completed participant booklet – Planning booklet 2 of 3
• 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 LAC or NDIA planner).

You can also bring along a family member, friend, advocate or anyone else to your NDIS plan meeting. If you want help to arrange an advocate to attend with you, contact your LAC or NDIA planner.

Once you’ve completed all of the above, you're ready for your planning meeting.

Where can I get help with preparing for my planning meeting?

Local Area Coordinators are here to help you and listen to your needs in a respectful manner and in a location of your choice. This can include over the phone or face-to-face in one of our offices, within your home or in a community location. 

The Local Area Coordinator will ask you a range of questions and document all of the information which will assist in creating your NDIS plan. This information is then submitted to the NDIA to decide on the funding that will make up your NDIS plan.

As your NDIS plan will be based on the discussion in your planning meeting, it is important to be ready for the questions that you will be asked and the documentation you need to provide. Examples of things you will be asked about in your first NDIS planning conversation include:

• your personal details;
• your community and mainstream supports;
• how you manage every day activities;
• your safety, including equipment, accommodation or help to take care of yourself or your home;
• the goals you want to achieve;
• ways to manage your plan; and
• the support you need to use your NDIS plan.

It is important to think about the answers to these questions before your NDIS planning meeting and ask a Local Area Coordinator for assistance if you need help.

Where can I get more information on my planning meeting?

There is a lot of information on the NDIS website to assist you to get ready for the planning process. Please go to the following link:

https://www.ndis.gov.au/participants/creating-your-plan/preparing-your-planning-meeting

Our office locations are: