NDIS Plan Reassessments and Plan Variations — When and How to Request One
Life changes, new goals, or insufficient funding can be reasons to ask for a change to your plan. You can keep using your current plan while the NDIA decides whether to do a reassessment.
Written by the Forward Planning Plus team · Last reviewed 20 October 2026
NDIS Registered Provider #4050161030 · Valid invoices processed in 1–2 business days* · Queensland-based team
Why Plan Reviews Exist
NDIS plans are designed to be flexible and responsive to your changing needs:
- Keep funding aligned — Reviews ensure your funding matches your current goals, health, and life situation.
- Respond to changes — Life doesn't stand still. Reviews allow the NDIA to adjust supports when circumstances shift.
- Maximise outcomes — Regular reviews help you use funding effectively and demonstrate progress toward independence.
Two Types of Reviews
Scheduled Reassessment
Happens at the end of the plan period shown on your plan.
Plan reassessment
An unscheduled reassessment you request during your plan when your situation changes significantly. You start this by contacting the NDIA.
Signs You Might Need a Plan Review
Consider asking for a plan reassessment if you experience:
Major Health or Mobility Changes
New diagnosis, surgery, health decline, or significant improvement requiring different supports.
New Goals or Supports Needed
You want to start work, move house, or access therapies not currently funded in your plan.
Funds Running Out Early
You're exhausting budgets faster than expected due to increased needs or higher-cost services.
Funds Unused for Months
Your plan isn't meeting your needs, or supports aren't working, causing underspending and unmet goals.
Changed Living or Employment Status
Moving to independent living, starting a job, loss of informal carer, or children transitioning to adult services.
What Is a Plan Reassessment?
Plain-English definition: A request to the NDIA to reassess your plan during the plan period when your situation changes significantly.
Examples of Acceptable Changes
- New diagnosis — Autism, ADHD, acquired brain injury, mental health condition requiring additional therapies.
- Loss of informal carer — Family member can no longer provide support, requiring paid support workers.
- New housing needs — Moving to independent living, requiring home modifications or increased daily assistance.
- Assistive technology needs — Wheelchair breakdown, communication device upgrade, or new equipment recommended by therapist.
- Employment support — Starting work or training, requiring job coaching or workplace modifications.
Important: A plan reassessment request must be supported by professional evidence. The NDIA won't approve changes based on personal preference alone.
What Evidence You'll Need
Strong evidence is critical to getting your review approved:
Professional Reports
- Occupational Therapy (OT) — Functional capacity assessments, home modification recommendations, assistive technology needs.
- Physiotherapy — Mobility assessments, equipment recommendations, exercise physiology programs.
- Psychology/Psychiatry — Mental health diagnoses, treatment plans, therapy needs, behavioral support strategies.
- Speech Pathology — Communication assessments, therapy goals, AAC (Alternative and Augmentative Communication) needs.
- Medical specialists — Neurologists, orthopedic surgeons, pediatricians confirming diagnoses and support needs.
Quotes & Financial Documents
- Three quotes for assistive technology or home modifications over $1,500
- Budget statements from your plan manager showing current spending patterns
- Invoices demonstrating increased service usage or unmet needs
Progress Records
- Therapy session notes showing progress or barriers
- Support Coordinator reports documenting service gaps or changing needs
- Incident reports if health or safety concerns have arisen
How Forward Planning Plus helps: We provide NDIS-ready budget reports and spending summaries that serve as supporting documents for your review request.
Get the NDIS Plan Management Guide by email
Step-by-Step: How to Request a Plan Review
Gather Evidence and Reports
Collect professional reports from therapists, doctors, and specialists. Request your plan manager to generate budget statements. Organise invoices and progress notes.
Contact the NDIA
Call 1800 800 110. Explain briefly what has changed and why you need a review.
Submit Form and Evidence
Complete the plan reassessment request form (on ndis.gov.au, or ask your my NDIS contact). Send it with your evidence through the NDIA's service hub, by mail to NDIA, GPO Box 700, Canberra ACT 2601, or in person at your local office.
Provide Additional Reports if Requested
The NDIA may request further information or clarification. Respond promptly. Your Support Coordinator can help with follow-up reports.
Await Decision
The NDIA assesses your request and contacts you for a planning meeting or phone call. Continue using your existing plan until the new one is approved.
How Long It Takes & What to Expect
Review timeframes vary depending on complexity and evidence. If you ask for a plan reassessment, the NDIA has up to 90 days to decide whether to do one. If it agrees, it has 28 days to do the reassessment. You can continue to use your current plan while the NDIA decides.
Tips to Make the Process Smoother
Keep Receipts and Invoices Organised
Maintain a digital or physical folder with all NDIS invoices, receipts, and service agreements. Your plan manager provides monthly statements that organise this automatically.
Request Reports Early from Therapists
Professional reports take time to complete. Request them as soon as you know you'll need a review, not when you're ready to submit.
Maintain a Simple Progress Log
Monthly notes of improvements, challenges, and changing needs. This provides context when requesting reviews and helps therapists write stronger reports.
Your Support Coordinator Can Help
Your Support Coordinator can help you prepare evidence. Your plan manager's statements show how your funding has been used.
How Forward Planning Plus Supports Plan Reviews
NDIS-Ready Financial Statements
Generate budget reports and spending summaries in seconds — formatted exactly how the NDIA expects to see them.
Coordinate with SCs and Therapists
We liaise with your Support Coordinator and therapists to supply financial evidence and invoicing records that support your case.
Track Spending Patterns
Our reports show budget utilization trends, overspending areas, and unmet needs — all valuable evidence for justifying plan changes.
Plain-English Explanations
We explain budget figures and funding categories in language you can use when speaking to the NDIA or writing review requests.
Evidence Compilation Support
We help organise invoices, statements, and financial records into a clear package for NDIA submission.
Frequently Asked Questions
A scheduled plan review happens at the end of the plan period shown on your plan. A plan reassessment is an unscheduled review you request mid-plan when your situation changes significantly.
You can request a review yourself by calling the NDIA or submitting a form. Your Support Coordinator can help you prepare evidence.
Your current plan stays in place while the NDIA considers your request.
Plan managers generate financial statements showing spending patterns, track budget utilization, and provide NDIS-ready reports that justify funding changes.
Related reading
Valid, correctly submitted invoices are processed within 1–2 business days*
*Processing is the step we control. Final payment timing can also depend on NDIA processing and whether we need to clarify details with a provider. Terms