An NDIS plan reassessment is how you get a new plan when your support needs have changed in a significant, ongoing way. Many people still call it an NDIS plan review. This guide explains when a reassessment fits, how it differs from a plan variation, who can ask, and what evidence the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) needs to see.
What a plan reassessment is
A plan reassessment replaces your plan with a new one that has different National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) supports. It is meant for times when your situation has changed so much that your current plan no longer meets your needs. You might need more supports, fewer, or different ones.
Plan variation vs reassessment
The two are easy to confuse:
- A plan variation changes part of your plan. The NDIA uses it when the change fits within your overall package of supports, for example a new goal, a change to how your funding is managed, fixing a small error, or crisis or emergency funding. The NDIA says it will tell you its decision on a variation within 21 days of having the information and evidence it needs.
- A plan reassessment creates a whole new plan. It is for significant, ongoing change.
If you ask for a variation and the NDIA thinks a reassessment is needed, it will tell you. It can also go the other way: after a reassessment request, the NDIA may decide a variation is enough.
When you might need one
A reassessment may fit if there is an ongoing change to:
- your ability to do daily activities
- your living arrangements
- your education or work
- the help you get from family, friends or others.
The change needs to be ongoing. A reassessment is not designed for a short-term setback.
When the NDIA may contact you
You do not always have to start the process. The NDIA may contact you about a reassessment if you are coming to the end of your plan and need significant changes, or if it has information that your needs have changed. If a check-in with your my NDIS contact is coming up, that is often the natural time to raise a change.
How to ask
The plan reassessment request form
To ask for a reassessment yourself, complete the NDIA’s plan reassessment request form and attach your evidence. The form is only needed when you want significant changes and you do not have a regular check-in coming up. You can send it through the NDIA’s service hub, by mail, or in person to your my NDIS contact or a local office. Your my NDIS contact can help you fill it in.
Who can ask
The request must come from you, your plan nominee or your child representative. You cannot give consent for a provider or anyone else to ask for a reassessment on your behalf. The NDIA will only consider a request that is on the right form, includes evidence and comes from one of those people.
Evidence that helps
The evidence has to show a significant change to your ongoing support needs. Useful evidence includes assessments, reports and letters from your treating health professionals, therapists or support workers.
It also needs to be recent. That usually means dated within 4 months of your request, and after your current plan was approved. A good report describes what has changed, how it affects your daily life, and what support would help, rather than restating a diagnosis.
A support coordinator can help you gather reports and keep track of dates. The guide to what a support coordinator does explains that role.
What the NDIA weighs up
When deciding whether to reassess, an NDIA planner looks at:
- your current plan and how you have used it
- the information and evidence you gave
- your use of community and mainstream supports
- whether the change you asked for is an NDIS support
- how the plan works as a whole package
- how the supports help you work toward your goals.
You can keep using your current plan while the NDIA decides. There are three possible outcomes: the NDIA decides not to reassess, it reassesses and gives you a new plan, or it varies your current plan instead. If it reassesses, you get a copy of your new plan within 7 days of it being approved. The guide to understanding your NDIS plan and the explainer on core supports can help you read the new one.
If you disagree with the outcome
If you do not agree with a decision about your plan, you can ask for an internal review of the decision. The guide on how to ask for an NDIS internal review walks through the steps.
Check your providers while your plan changes
A new plan can change which supports you have funding for, so it is a good moment to look at whether your current providers still fit. If your plan adds support coordination, Provider24 lists NDIS support coordination providers you can compare and contact direct. The guide on how to choose an NDIS provider has the questions to ask.
This article is general information, not advice. The NDIA’s page on what a plan reassessment is has the current form and the ways to send it.
Frequently asked questions
How often do NDIS plans get reviewed?
There is no single interval. Each plan has a reassessment date, the NDIA may contact you as your plan nears its end, and you may have check-ins with your my NDIS contact. You can also ask for a reassessment if your needs change significantly before then.
What is the difference between a plan variation and a plan reassessment in the NDIS?
A variation changes part of your plan when the change fits your overall package of supports. A reassessment gives you a new plan because your needs have changed significantly and for the long term.
What is an NDIS plan reassessment and when is it needed?
It is the process of creating a new plan with different supports. It is needed when an ongoing change, such as in your daily abilities or living arrangements, means your current plan no longer meets your needs.
Can my provider ask for a plan reassessment for me?
No. The request must come from you, your plan nominee or your child representative, and you cannot consent to a provider asking on your behalf. A provider can still write a report to support your request.