Setting NDIS goals

Setting goals is an essential step in developing your first NDIS plan.

It's important to identify the support you need in your daily life and the services that will best help you achieve your goals. 

An NDIS plan outlines your goals and the support you need, including any funding you might receive. Your first plan marks the beginning of your relationship with the NDIS. As your life changes, so will your plan. Each participant in the NDIS has a unique plan tailored to their individual needs.

After meeting with your local area coordinator (LAC), you will receive your first NDIS plan. This plan is an agreement on ‘reasonable and necessary’ support. These supports are provided by service providers, and the funds may be managed by you (the participant) or:

• The NDIA
• A registered plan management provider
• A nominee of the participant

The aim is to give you choice and control to meet your goals through the right supports.

NDIS funding and supports for participants are constantly changing. What might have been funded previously may have changed under the new NDIS legislation. It's important to ensure that you are up to date with the current information and updates.

Information on this page is current as of November 2024.

Setting goals and starting your first plan

When developing your first NDIS plan, consider what support you need in your daily life and what services would best help you achieve your goals. Taking the time to carefully plan and research these questions will help you to self-advocate when applying for NDIS funding.

It can be beneficial to have a family member, friend, or health professional—someone who knows you well—assist you throughout the process. While you may feel confident in doing something yourself, another person might provide a different perspective on your strengths and challenges. These different views can help you identify areas where you need support.

Life goals

It's never too late to identify what you would like for your future and to make changes to improve your life. Consider the following areas:

• Home life: Do you need help with cleaning or food preparation?
• Social activities: Would you like to get out in the community more often?
• Employment: Do you need support with gaining employment, workplace skills, or mentoring?
• Getting around: Do you need help learning to drive or navigating public transport?
• Living independently: Are you looking to live alone, share accommodation or need supported living?
• Relationships: Do you need support with caring for children or improving interpersonal and workplace relationships?

Let's look more closely at one of these areas—getting around. You might need assistance using public transport, getting to medical appointments or visiting your local library. This assistance could involve a support person until you feel confident to do these activities on your own. You may also need help applying for a tap-and-go card or learning how to plan your trips if you have difficulty with directions.

Understanding the barriers

Identifying the barriers or challenges you currently face is essential to determine the supports you will need to overcome them. Some examples of barriers include:

• Living in a remote area: Limited local supports can be a challenge if you live in a rural or regional area.
• Workplaces: Some workplaces may not be supportive of your needs, lacking understanding of autism or having an unsuitable environment for your sensory sensitivities.
• Access to public spaces: Shopping centres, for example, can be overwhelming.

You may need a support worker to help you access shopping centres quickly or assist you at busy checkouts.

Goal setting

Goal setting is a vital part of your NDIS plan. Your goals will change over your lifetime and need regular re-evaluation. Goals can be categorised as short-term, medium-term, and long-term.

• Short-term goal: This might involve working with a developmental educator to gain skills in advocating for your support needs when starting further education.
• Medium-term goal: This could be completing a course of study (e.g., 6 or 12 months), during which you might learn of additional support needs or changes to current supports.‍
• Long-term goal: This could be gaining employment after completing your studies.

There are often many smaller short-term and medium-term goals to work through before achieving your long-term goal.

Types of supports and services

NDIS participants receive funding to access 'reasonable and necessary' services and supports to help achieve their goals. These supports fall into the following categories:

• Assistance with daily life
• Transport
• Consumables
• Assistance with social & community participation
• Assistive technology
• Home modifications
• Coordination of supports
• Improved living arrangements
• Increased social and community participation
• Finding and keeping a job
• Improved relationships
• Improved health and wellbeing
• Improved learning
• Improved life choices
• Improved daily living

For more information on the supports and services funded by the NDIS, you can refer to their resources here.

Creating your first plan

When developing your first plan, it’s helpful to use the booklets, factsheets, and information provided by the NDIS. Understanding the different types of support budgets is crucial:

Core Supports budget

Core supports help with everyday activities, your current needs, and working towards your goals. This budget is the most flexible, though there are instances where you do not have flexibility in your funding (e.g., transport).

Capacity Building budget

Capacity building supports help build your independence and skills to achieve your long-term goals. Unlike the core supports budget, this budget cannot be moved from one support category to another. Funding can only be used for approved individual supports within the capacity building category.

Capital Supports budget

Capital supports include higher-cost assistive technology, equipment, home or vehicle modifications, and funding for one-off purchases (including Specialist Disability Accommodation). Funds within the capital supports budget are specific to their purpose and cannot be used for other expenses.

For more information, please visit the NDIS website here.

Managing your NDIS plan

You have several options for managing your NDIS plan funds:

1. Self-management: You manage the funds yourself, giving you full control over your supports and providers.
2. NDIA management: The NDIA manages the funds on your behalf, handling all payments to service providers.
3. Plan management provider: A registered provider manages your funds and supports you in managing your plan.
4. Nominee management: A trusted person nominated by you manages the funds.

This flexibility ensures you can choose the management option that best suits your preferences and capabilities.

Planning and review

Your NDIS plan is not static. Regular reviews ensure that the plan continues to meet your evolving needs and goals. The NDIS encourages participants to be actively involved in the review process, ensuring that the supports provided are still aligned with their aspirations and circumstances.

For more detailed information and resources, the NDIS website offers comprehensive guides and support materials to help you through each step of the planning process.