NDIS NAVIGATION 101 • MODULE 2

Preparing for Planning Meetings

Learn how to prepare confidently for NDIS planning meetings — with the right documents, wording, and evidence to support the outcomes you need.

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What You’ll Learn in This Module

  • How to prepare the exact documents planners expect
  • How to write goals that align with funding criteria
  • Language that improves your chance of approval
  • How to structure your evidence so it connects logically
  • How to participate calmly and assertively in the meeting

What Planners Expect to See

A planning meeting is not a conversation — it’s a structured decision-making process. Planners look for specific information presented in a specific way.

Your planner expects to clearly see:
• Functional impact across daily domains
• Evidence from allied health professionals
• Goals linked to the supports being requested
• Recommendations based on “reasonable and necessary” criteria
• Risks if supports are not funded

How to Write Goals That Actually Work

Vague goals lead to vague funding. Strong goals create strong budgets.

A good goal is specific, meaningful, achievable, linked to supports, and written in the participant’s voice.

Example of a strong goal:

“I want to improve my ability to communicate and participate in daily life by developing my expressive language skills and learning to use visual communication supports.”

Safe, Effective Language to Use in Your Meeting

Clear, neutral language helps planners understand the functional impact and the supports needed — without emotional escalation.

Script 1 — For explaining needs:
“The main barriers I experience are fatigue, regulation, communication, and accessing complex tasks. These barriers limit my ability to participate without support.”

Script 2 — For connecting goals + evidence:
“The therapies we’re requesting directly address the goals we’ve outlined and are supported by the functional assessments provided.”

Script 3 — For correcting misunderstandings:
“Can I clarify that? The report explains that these supports are required for daily participation, not just improvement over time.”

Pre-Meeting Checklist

  • ✔ Functional assessment (OT / Psych / Physio / Speech)
  • ✔ GP or specialist summary (if relevant)
  • ✔ Therapy progress notes (if applicable)
  • ✔ Your 2–4 goals written clearly
  • ✔ A list of supports you’re requesting
  • ✔ Examples of barriers + impact
  • ✔ Someone to attend with you, if possible

Ready for Module 3?

Module 3 explains how to request supports effectively — using evidence, goals, and functional impact to justify the help you need.

Continue to Module 3 →