An NDIS plan is a document that sets out a participant’s goals, the NDIS supports they need and the funding to pay for those supports. According to the NDIS guide to your first plan, it brings together information about the person, their goals and the funding they can use to buy NDIS supports.
Every participant has their own plan. It’s built around their situation and disability support needs, so two people with the same diagnosis can have very different plans.
What’s in an NDIS plan?
An NDIS plan includes information about:
- The participant’s situation and who supports them
- Their goals
- Their NDIS supports
- Who will manage the funding
- The total funding amount and support budgets
- The length of the plan and its funding periods
- How to let the NDIA know if the plan needs to change
The plan also shows which supports are flexible and which are stated. Flexible funding can be spent across support categories within the same budget. Stated funding can only be used for the specific support described in the plan.
How is an NDIS plan created?
A participant receives their first plan after they’re accepted into the NDIS. An NDIA planner talks with the participant, and often their family or carers, about their living situation, goals and day-to-day supports, then explains how the plan was put together.
Evidence plays a big part. The NDIA uses reports from doctors, specialists and therapists to decide what to fund. Participants with similar circumstances should receive similar total funding amounts, which is why clear, up-to-date reports matter.
Why goals matter
Goals are one of the most important parts of a plan. Every NDIS support has to be reasonable and necessary, and part of that test is whether it helps the participant work towards their goals.
A goal doesn’t need to be complicated. “Use words or a device to ask for help instead of hitting” or “Get through the morning routine without a meltdown” are specific goals that can link directly to supports like Positive Behaviour Support. The clearer the goal, the easier it is to show why a support is needed.
How is the funding organised?
Funding in each plan is divided into four support budgets:
- Core supports, for everyday assistance such as support workers and consumables
- Capacity Building supports, for therapy and skill development
- Capital supports, for equipment and home modifications
- Recurring supports, for regular payments such as transport
Most therapy sits in Capacity Building. Positive Behaviour Support, including a behaviour support plan, is usually funded under Improved Relationships. ABA therapy usually sits under Improved Daily Living. For young children, early childhood intervention and key worker support often come through the early childhood approach.
How long does an NDIS plan last?
Plan length depends on the participant’s situation and how long they’d like the plan to run before it changes. Each plan has a reassessment date, and the NDIA schedules a check-in every year to see how the participant is going with their plan and their goals.
Plans approved or reassessed since 19 May 2025 release funding in set funding periods, often every three months, instead of all at once. Unspent funding rolls over into the next period within the same plan, but unspent funds won’t roll over into the next plan. Keeping an eye on each period helps make sure therapy doesn’t stop partway through the year.
Who manages the funding?
A plan can be NDIA-managed, plan-managed, self-managed or a mix of these. With NDIA-managed funding, only registered providers can be used. Behaviour support must always come from a registered provider, however the plan is managed.
Can an NDIS plan change?
Yes. A participant gets a new plan on their scheduled reassessment date, or when their situation changes and they need more, less or different supports. A change in behaviour, a new diagnosis, starting school or moving house can all be reasons to ask for a plan to be looked at again.
Progress reports from therapists help at reassessment time. They show what the funding achieved and what support is still needed.
Getting started with Helping Hands Behaviour Support
Helping Hands Behaviour Support (HHBS) is an NDIS-registered provider of Positive Behaviour Support, ABA therapy and early childhood intervention. We work with autistic children, teens and adults, people with ADHD, and children with developmental delay. As a registered provider, we can work with NDIA-managed, plan-managed and self-managed plans.
If you’re a participant, parent or carer, call us on 0452 423 822 or get in touch through our contact page. If you’re a support coordinator, you can make a referral online.
Note: This article is general information about NDIS plans, not advice about any individual plan. The NDIA makes all eligibility and funding decisions.
