Start the Year Strong!

A new year is the perfect time to reset, refocus, and make sure your NDIS plan is working for you and not the other way around. Whether your plan has just started, is mid-way through, or nearing review, a few simple steps early in the year can make a big difference to how smoothly the year runs.

Here are out top tips to help you start the year!

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1. Review Your NDIS Plan Early

Don’t wait until things go wrong. Take time now to:

• Check how much funding you have left in each category

• Confirm your plan dates and review timeframe

• Understand what supports you can (and can’t) use your funding for

Early clarity helps prevent last-minute stress, rushed decisions, or unspent funds later in the year.

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2. Lock in Your Supports

January is a great time to confirm:

• Support worker availability

• Therapy schedules

• Community or group programs

Many services fill quickly once the year gets busy. Securing supports early means more choice, better continuity, and fewer disruptions.

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3. Set Clear Goals (they can change later)

Your goals don’t need to be perfect they just need to reflect where you’re at right now.

Think about:

• Daily living and independence

• Social and community participation

• Health, wellbeing, or behaviour support

• Home, employment, or education goals

Goals guide how your funding is used and strengthen future plan reviews.

“You’re on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the one who’ll decide where to go.”

— Dr. Seuss

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4. Use the Year to Gather Evidence

Whether you have a review coming up or planning on having a review later this year. Start gathering your evidence early as people become more and more busy throughout the year.

You can start gathering the following:

• Comprehensive reports from your Therapists

• Letters or reports from Medical Professionals

• Shift notes or incident reports from Support Workers/Agencies

• Quotes from providers

• Discussion around Assistive Technology needs/upgrades

• Quote for repairs or future repairs to current equipment

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5. What Is and Isn’t Working Well?

As the year begins, it’s a good time to pause and reflect on the supports currently in place.

Some questions you might consider:

• Are these supports meeting your needs right now?

• Is the support helping with daily life, independence, or wellbeing?

• Does the person or provider communicate well and shows up consistently?

• Does the support fit with your routine and goals?

It’s also okay to ask:

• Is this support still adding value?

• Is it worth keeping this support, or could the funding be better used elsewhere?

• Do you need to reduce this support?

Needs change over time what worked last year may not be the best fit this year, and that’s completely fine!

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Starting the year with a clear plan, the right supports, and open conversations can make a big difference to help you navigate the year. You don’t need to have everything figured out but taking small, thoughtful steps now can set up a smoother year ahead!

If you’d like support reviewing your plan or making changes to your supports, we’re here to help.

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