Getting that “yes” from the NDIS is a massive moment… Congratulations! You’ve taken a big step forward. And in the excitement of it all, it’s completely normal to feel a little unsure about what comes next. You might be asking: When do I start receiving support? Who helps me? What’s the next step?
The good news? Once the NDIA confirms you’re eligible, the ball starts rolling. You’ll get a formal approval letter, and from there, you’ll move into the planning stage. This is where your first NDIS plan gets created. And where your funding journey truly begins.
Let’s walk through what to expect after you’re approved, so you can move forward with clarity and confidence.
Step 1: Meet Your Planner or LAC
After the NDIA approves your access request, someone will reach out to support you with your first plan. This will usually be either:
- A Local Area Coordinator (LAC) – if you’re in an area supported by one of the NDIA’s partner organisations, or
- An NDIA Planner – typically if your situation is more complex or if you live in a remote area.
Their job is to guide you through the planning process, answer your questions, and help prepare you for your first NDIS planning meeting. Think of them as your first point of contact on your NDIS journey.
Step 2: Have Your First NDIS Planning Meeting
This is a key milestone. In this meeting, you’ll sit down (or chat over the phone/video) with your planner or LAC to talk about your life, your goals, and what supports will make the biggest difference.
You’ll talk about:
- What supports and services you’re already using
- The challenges you face day to day
- Your short- and long-term goals
- What’s working well, and what areas need more help
Our top tip is to come prepared! Bring any reports from therapists or doctors, examples of what support you’ve had before, and ideas about what would make life easier for you.
What Is the NDIA Looking For in the Planning Stage?
At this stage, the NDIA doesn’t reassess your eligibility, they focus on what to include in your plan. They look closely at the types of support you need, why you need them, and whether those supports meet the NDIS criteria of being “reasonable and necessary.” They also consider what informal supports you already have, such as help from family or friends, and how those fit into your overall care.
Then, they decide how to structure your funding across the different categories: Core Supports, Capacity Building, and Capital Supports. Their aim is to create a plan that reflects your real-life needs, not just your diagnosis. They want to understand how you live, what your challenges are, and what goals you’re working towards, so they can design a plan that genuinely supports your daily life and future.
Step 3: Receiving Your First NDIS Plan
After the meeting, the NDIA will create and approve your personalised NDIS plan. You’ll get a copy, either through your myplace portal or by mail. This plan will include:
- A clear list of your goals
- The funding amounts you’ve been allocated in each category
- How your plan will be managed (self-managed, plan-managed, NDIA-managed, or a mix)
Once you receive your plan, it becomes active. And that means you can start using your funding right away!
Step 4: Start Using Your NDIS Supports
How you start accessing supports depends on how your plan is managed.
- If you self-manage, you can start contacting providers, booking services, and paying invoices directly.
- If you chose to work with a plan manager, they’ll take care of the financial side of things—paying invoices, tracking your budget, and helping you stay on top of spending.
- If your plan includes a support coordinator, they’ll help you understand your plan, connect with providers, book services, and make sure everything gets up and running smoothly.
No matter how your plan is managed, you’re not expected to do this alone. There are people who can walk you through it, step by step.
Need Help Navigating the NDIS?
At Achora, we support new participants through the entire post-approval process: planning, funding, budgeting, and getting the right services in place.
Reach out and we’ll help you get started with confidence.