How to Prepare for Your First NDIS Planning Meeting

Published on August 20, 2025 | Updated on August 21, 2025

Starting your journey with the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) can feel overwhelming, especially if it’s your first planning meeting. This meeting is where you’ll discuss your needs, goals, and the types of supports that could be funded in your plan.

At Openhearted Support, we’ve supported countless participants across Melbourne to prepare, understand, and maximise their NDIS plans. In this guide, we’ll walk you through what to expect and how to get ready for your first NDIS planning meeting.

What Is an NDIS Planning Meeting?

An NDIS planning meeting is your opportunity to share your story, discuss your disability-related needs, and outline your goals with an NDIS planner or Local Area Coordinator (LAC).

The information you provide will help shape your NDIS plan, which includes:

What supports will be funded

How much funding you’ll receive

Which budget categories (Core, Capital, Capacity Building) will be included

Step 1: Gather Your Information

Before your meeting, collect all the documents and reports that highlight your disability and the support you need. This may include:

Medical or specialist reports

Therapy or allied health assessments (OT, physio, speech therapy)

Letters from carers, teachers, or support workers

Medication lists and hospital discharge summaries

📌 Tip: The more evidence you provide, the easier it is to justify the supports you need.

Step 2: Think About Your Goals

The NDIS is a goals-based system. Funding is aligned with what you want to achieve in life. Your goals may include:

Becoming more independent at home

Building social connections

Learning new skills (e.g., cooking, using public transport)

Accessing therapies to improve mobility or communication

Participating in community or recreational activities

📌 Tip: Write down both short-term goals (next 12 months) and long-term goals (3–5 years).

Step 3: Consider Daily Supports You Need

Think about the help you need each day. This could include:

Personal care (showering, dressing, grooming)

Household tasks (cleaning, laundry, meal prep)

Transport to appointments or activities

High-intensity or complex medical supports

Assistive technology or home modifications

📌 Tip: Be honest and specific about what you can and cannot do independently.

Step 4: Learn About NDIS Budget Categories

Your plan will likely include three funding categories:

Core Supports – Daily living, consumables, transport, and community participation

Capital Supports – Assistive technology and home modifications

Capacity Building – Skill development, therapies, and support coordination

📌 Tip: Knowing these categories helps you understand how your funds can be used.

Step 5: Bring Someone You Trust

You don’t have to attend the meeting alone. You can bring:

A family member or carer

A support coordinator

An advocate

A provider like Openhearted Support, to guide you through the process

Having someone by your side ensures you don’t feel overwhelmed and helps you communicate your needs clearly.

How Openhearted Support Can Help

At Openhearted Support, we go beyond providing services—we also help participants prepare and navigate their NDIS journey.

✅ Pre-Meeting Guidance – We help you organise documents and think about your goals.

✅ Support Coordination – Our team ensures you get the most from your funding.

✅ Range of Services – From daily personal care to high-intensity support, community access, respite, and home modifications—we provide end-to-end NDIS care.

✅ Ongoing Partnership – We check in regularly to make sure your supports are still working for you.

Get Help with Your First NDIS Plan

If you or a loved one is about to attend an NDIS planning meeting, we’re here to help you feel confident and prepared.

📞 Call us today: 1800 976 186

📧 Email: admin@ohsupport.com.au

🌐 Visit: www.openheartedsupport.com.au

Final Thoughts

Your first NDIS planning meeting is an important step in shaping your future supports. By preparing well, setting clear goals, and bringing the right evidence, you’ll give yourself the best chance of receiving a plan that truly reflects your needs.

At Openhearted Support, we’re here to stand beside you—before, during, and after your planning meeting—so you can get the care and opportunities you deserve.