When and How to Request an Early Review of Your NDIS Plan

An NDIS plan is designed to support you for its entire duration, whether that’s 12 months or longer. But life is unpredictable, and what worked for you yesterday might not be enough for tomorrow. A new diagnosis, a change in your living situation, or a worsening condition can mean your current supports are no longer adequate. When this happens, waiting for your scheduled plan renewal isn’t always an option.

Fortunately, there is a process for this: requesting an early review of your NDIS plan. Understanding this process is key to ensuring your support network evolves with your needs, giving you peace of mind and control over your journey. This guide will explain exactly when you should consider an NDIS early review and walk you through how to request one with confidence.

What Is an Early Review of an NDIS Plan?

An early review, formally known as a plan reassessment, is a process that allows you to have your NDIS plan re-evaluated before its official end date. It is designed for situations where there has been a significant change in your circumstances, and your current plan can no longer meet your disability-related needs.

It’s important to understand how this differs from other plan changes:

• Plan Variation: This is a minor change to your plan, like moving funding between categories in your Core budget. It doesn’t involve a full reassessment of your needs or funding.
• Change of Circumstances: This term is often used interchangeably with an early review. When you notify the NDIS of a significant change in your life, it can trigger a plan reassessment.

A common misconception is that you must wait until your annual renewal to ask for more support. This isn’t true. If your needs have genuinely and significantly changed, the NDIS has a process to help you get the support you need sooner.

When You Should Request an Early Review

An NDIS early review isn’t for small tweaks; it’s for when your life has changed in a major way. The key is to demonstrate that this change has had a substantial impact on your functional capacity or support requirements.

Here are clear indicators that an NDIS plan reassessment may be necessary:

• A new diagnosis or significant change in your disability: If you’ve been diagnosed with a new condition or your existing disability has worsened, your support needs may have increased.
• Worsening condition impacting daily life: You might find that daily tasks which were once manageable now require assistance due to a decline in your functional capacity.
• Sudden life changes: This could include a change in your living arrangements (like moving into Specialist Disability Accommodation), a primary carer no longer being able to provide support, or starting a new job that requires different supports.
• Your supports are running out too early: If your funding is depleting much faster than expected because your needs are higher than anticipated, it’s a strong sign your plan is insufficient.
• Your equipment needs have changed: You might require new assistive technology, or your current equipment may no longer be suitable due to changes in your condition.
• Your current plan no longer meets your needs: If your safety is at risk or you’re unable to pursue your goals because of inadequate support, it’s time to act.

For example, a participant who was previously able to cook independently might experience a decline in mobility after a fall, now requiring support with meal preparation. This change in functional capacity would be a valid reason to request an early review.

What Evidence Is Needed for an Early Review?

Your NDIS review request is only as strong as the evidence you provide. Simply stating that you need more funding isn’t enough; you need to prove it. The goal is to paint a clear picture of what has changed and why your current plan is no longer sufficient.

Here is the kind of supporting evidence that will strengthen your request:

• Updated OT Functional Assessment: An Occupational Therapist can assess how your functional capacity has changed and recommend specific supports.
• GP or Specialist Reports: A letter from your doctor detailing a new diagnosis or the deterioration of an existing condition is crucial.
• Carer Impact Statement: If a family member or informal carer can no longer provide the same level of support, a statement from them explaining the change is powerful evidence.
• Progress Notes from Therapists: Reports from your physiotherapist, psychologist, or other allied health professionals can document changes in your condition and needs.
• Incident Reports: If you’ve had falls or other accidents due to inadequate support, these reports can demonstrate a risk to your safety.
• Behaviour Support or Mental Health Assessments: If there are new behaviours of concern or a decline in your mental health, reports from relevant specialists are essential.
• Quotes for new equipment or supports: If you need new assistive technology or an increase in support hours, providing quotes helps the NDIS understand the financial need.

Always ensure your supporting reports are current (ideally from the last 6 months) and directly link your changed circumstances to your need for different or increased supports.

How to Request an Early Review Step-by-Step

Requesting an NDIS early review can feel daunting, but breaking it down into manageable steps makes it much easier. Here’s a practical guide to follow:

1. Contact the NDIS: You can initiate the process by calling the NDIS, logging into the myGov NDIS portal, or speaking with your Local Area Coordinator (LAC) or Support Coordinator.
2. Request a Plan Review: Clearly state that you need to request a plan review due to a ‘Change of Situation’.
3. Fill Out the Form: You’ll likely be asked to complete a ‘Change of Details or Change of Situation Form’. This form asks you to explain what has changed and how it impacts you.
4. Submit Your Supporting Evidence: Upload your completed form and all your supporting reports and documents to the NDIS portal or send them via email. This is the most critical step.
5. Prepare for a Meeting: Once your request is received, you may be scheduled for a meeting with your planner or LAC. Prepare for this meeting by reviewing your evidence and being ready to talk about your changed needs.
6. Attend the Review Meeting: This can happen in person, over the phone, or via video call. Clearly explain your situation and refer to the evidence you submitted.
7. Wait for the Outcome: After the meeting, the NDIA will make a decision. This is a reviewable decision, meaning you can appeal it if you don’t agree.

What Happens After You Request a Review?

Once you’ve submitted your NDIS review request, the NDIA has 21 days to decide whether to conduct a reassessment. During this time, they may contact you for more information.

The outcome could be one of the following:

• A Full Plan Reassessment: This means the NDIA agrees that your circumstances have changed significantly, and they will create a new plan from scratch. This involves a new planning meeting.
• A Plan Variation: If the change is minor, the NDIA might simply vary your existing plan without a full review.
• No Change: The NDIA may decide that your current plan is still appropriate.

It’s important to be aware that a full reassessment opens your entire plan for review. This means the NDIA can increase, decrease, or maintain funding across all categories. This transparency helps you prepare for all possible outcomes.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

To give your NDIS early review request the best chance of success, try to avoid these common pitfalls:

• Requesting without enough evidence: A request with no supporting reports is unlikely to be approved.
• Leaving out functional impact: Don’t just state your diagnosis; explain how it affects your ability to perform daily tasks.
• Only asking for “more hours”: Instead of saying “I need more support worker hours,” explain why. For example, “I now require assistance with showering and dressing each morning due to a decline in my mobility.”
• Submitting outdated reports: Evidence should be recent and relevant to your current situation.
• Not preparing for the review meeting: Go into your meeting prepared to clearly articulate your needs and goals.

Tips to Strengthen Your Early Review Request

Empower yourself with these tips to make your request as strong as possible:

• Focus on functional impact: Always link your disability to its impact on your everyday life.
• Provide clear examples: Use real-life scenarios to illustrate why your current supports are insufficient.
• Show how support improves safety and independence: Frame your request around how the right supports will help you live more safely and independently.
• Get letters that speak to NDIS criteria: Ask your therapists to reference “reasonable and necessary” criteria in their reports.
• Keep communication factual and calm: Present your case clearly and calmly, backed by solid evidence.

Take Control of Your Support Journey

If your needs have changed, don’t wait for your next plan renewal. An early review is a vital part of the NDIS that puts you in control, ensuring your plan adapts to your life. With the right evidence and preparation, you can request a change sooner and get the supports you need to thrive.

Understanding how to navigate an NDIS early review can help you access the right supports when you need them most. If you need guidance with gathering assessments or navigating the process, the team at Meta Healthcare is here to help.