Key points

  • An NDIS plan sets out your goals, your funded supports in three budget types, how your funding is managed and the plan's end date.
  • Since May 2025 most plans release funding in three-month funding periods.
  • Only items on the NDIS supports list can be purchased with plan funds.
  • Your first planning meeting goes better with evidence, clear goals and a support person.
  • From 1 April 2027 a new planning framework with support needs assessments begins for participants 16 and over.

Getting your first NDIS plan can feel like learning a new language. This guide explains the parts of a plan, how the planning conversation works and how to get the most out of it, updated for the rules in place in 2026-27.

What is in an NDIS plan?

  • About you: your situation, informal supports (family, friends) and the mainstream services you use (school, health).
  • Your goals: short and longer-term goals in your own words.
  • Funded supports in three budgets: Core (daily living, consumables, community participation, transport), Capacity Building (therapy, support coordination, employment, skills) and Capital (equipment, home modifications, specialist accommodation).
  • How funding is managed: agency-managed, plan-managed or self-managed, or a mix.
  • Total budget, funding periods and end date.

Funding periods explained

Plans made or reassessed since 19 May 2025 usually release Core and Capacity Building funds in three-month blocks. You can carry unused funds from one period to the next within the same plan, but you cannot spend a future period early. The aim is to even out spending across the year. From 1 February 2027, unspent funds at the end of a plan will not roll into the next one.

What you can spend it on

Since October 2024 the law lists what is and is not an NDIS support. Day-to-day living costs, mainstream health care and most everyday items are out. A short list of "replacement supports" (such as tablets or smartwatches used for accessibility) can be approved on request. If you are unsure whether something is covered, ask your plan manager or the NDIS before buying.

Preparing for your planning meeting

  1. Collect evidence: reports from therapists, doctors and school that describe what you can do, what support you need and how often.
  2. Describe a typical week and a hard week, including the hours family members provide.
  3. Write three or four goals using the pattern: "I want to … so that … To do this I need …".
  4. Think about management. Plan management gives you access to unregistered providers with no admin burden; many participants start there.
  5. Bring someone: a family member, advocate or future support coordinator.

After the meeting

Read your plan carefully when it arrives. If a support is missing or lower than expected you have three months to request an internal review. Then set up service agreements with providers, and ask each one how they will report on your goals. For the renewal process in detail, read our plan reassessment checklist.

What is changing

From 1 October 2026 community participation and daily living skills budgets are lower in new plans; from 1 April 2027 the NDIA plans to introduce standardised support needs assessments; and from 2027 and 2028 plan management and support coordination become commissioned services. Follow our news page for each step.

How we can help

We help participants and families understand their options, prepare evidence and put supports in place that match their goals. Talk to our team for a no-obligation conversation.

General information current at October 2026. Check the NDIS website for the latest rules.