So, you’ve applied for and were granted ‘access’ to the NDIS. You are now considered a ‘participant’ and have had your planning meeting where you set your goals to help with creating your plan. What comes next? RECIVING YOUR PLAN.

Receiving your first NDIS plan can feel stressful and overwhelming. From funding categories, support budgets, goals, reviews and management options, understanding how your plan works will help you use your funding effectively and get the supports you need to live independently, stay connected to your community and manage the impacts of young onset Parkinson’s on your daily activities.

What is an NDIS plan?

Your NDIS plan outlines the supports and funding the NDIS has approved to help you pursue your goals. It also explains how your funding can be managed and which “reasonable & necessary” supports have been funded.

Your plan typically includes:

  • Your plan start and end dates
  • Your goals and aspirations
  • Information about your current supports
  • Your funded supports and budgets
  • Details about how your funding is managed
  • Information about plan reviews and changes in circumstances

For people with young onset Parkinson’s, supports may focus on maintaining employment, preserving independence, managing symptoms, supporting family and household responsibilities and remaining active in the community.

Understanding your goals

Your NDIS funding is linked to the goals outlined in your plan.

Goals may include:

  • Continuing to work or study
  • Maintaining mobility and physical function
  • Improving communication
  • Remaining independent at home
  • Increasing community participation
  • Supporting parenting or caring responsibilities
  • Maintaining social connections

When choosing supports, it is important to consider how they relate to your NDIS goals. The NDIS funds supports that are considered reasonable and necessary to help you work towards these goals.

Informal, community & funded supports

Your plan recognises three different types of support.

1) Informal supports

These are supports provided by family, friends and carers.

Examples include:

  • Help with household tasks
  • Transport to appointments
  • Emotional support
  • Assistance with daily activities

2) Community & mainstream supports

These are services available to everyone and are not funded through the NDIS. Mainstream supports might look like:

  • GPs and neurologists
  • Public hospitals
  • Mental health services
  • TAFE and universities
  • Council/Shire supports
  • Libraries and community groups

3) Funded supports

These are the supports the NDIS funds to help you manage the impact of your disability and achieve your goals.

Understanding your funding budgets

NDIS funding is divided into three main budgets:

1) Core Supports

Core Supports help with everyday activities and disability-related needs. Core funding is generally flexible, which means you can often use funding across different Core support categories.

Common Core Supports include:

  • Personal care
  • Assistance with household tasks
  • Social and community participation
  • Consumables
  • Transport supports

For someone with young onset Parkinson’s, Core funding might be used for support workers, assistance with personal care, community access or transport to work and appointments.

Capital Supports

Capital Supports fund larger one-off purchases and equipment.

Examples include:

Unlike Core Supports, Capital funding is generally not flexible and must be used for the specific item it was approved for.

Capacity Building Supports

Capacity Building Supports are designed to help you build skills, independence and functional capacity over time.

Examples include:

Many people with young onset Parkinson’s use Capacity Building funding to access allied health services that help maintain mobility, communication, cognition and participation.

Funding within a Capacity Building category is flexible within that category but cannot usually be moved between different Capacity Building categories.

How is your plan managed?

There are three ways to manage NDIS funding.

1) Agency managed

  • The NDIA manages your funding and pays providers directly.
  • You can only use NDIS-registered providers.

2) Plan managed

  • A plan manager pays providers and manages invoices on your behalf.
  • This option gives you flexibility to use registered and non-registered providers while reducing administrative responsibilities.

3) Self-managed

  • You manage invoices, payments, service agreements and records yourself. You MUST retain your invoices/receipts for 3 years if self-managed.
  • This offers the greatest flexibility but also involves the most administration.
  • Many people with young onset Parkinson’s choose plan management because it combines flexibility with administrative support.

Getting the most from your plan

To maximise the value of your NDIS funding:

  • Understand your goals
  • Review your funding categories regularly
  • Track how your funding is being used
  • Keep copies of reports and assessments from all treating health professionals
  • Work with providers who understand Parkinson’s – ask your local state/territory Parkinson’s organisation
  • Discuss changes in your needs with your support coordinator, LAC partner or NDIS planner
  • Seek updated allied health assessments when your circumstances change

When should you request a plan review?

Your plan is usually reviewed by NDIS and rolled over if nothing significant changes every couple of years or so. However, you may request a plan review sooner if:

  • Your Parkinson’s symptoms have progressed
  • Your support needs have increased
  • You have changed employment arrangements
  • You require additional equipment or assistive technology
  • Your living situation has changed
  • Current funding is not meeting your needs

Evidence from allied health professionals can help demonstrate why additional supports are required.

If you want to ask to make changes to your plan, NDIS calls this a plan reassessment or plan variation. These are different to asking NDIS to review a reviewable decision.

    • Option one: requesting a change of circumstances requiring a plan variation
    • Option two: asking for a plan reassessment has become a more difficult process and you need demonstrate significant changes in your condition.
    • Option three: Escalation to the Administration Review Tribunal (ART or Tribunal) for a review. (n.b. We would recommend this for serious amounts of funding being cut or high-stakes funding decisions to be reviewed.

Parkinson’s is a progressive neurological condition. Your support needs may change over time, particularly in relation to work, mobility, communication, cognition and daily activities.

References

MyCareSpace. (2026). Understanding my NDIS plan. Retrieved from https://mycarespace.com.au/resources/understanding-my-ndis-plan

National Disability Insurance Scheme. (n.d.). Understanding your NDIS plan. Retrieved from https://www.ndis.gov.au/participants/creating-your-plan/your-plan-explained

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