What will happen during a Support Needs Assessment?
Support Needs Assessments will be part of the new way of planning from April 2027 and help the NDIA determine your plan budget and supports.
You will meet with an NDIA assessor who will ask questions about how you manage activities in 12 different areas of your life. They will focus on what you can do independently, the supports you need and how often you need them. The assessor will also ask about your living arrangements, the people who support you and any assistive technology you use. If they need more information about your supports, you may be asked to provide reports from your allied health professionals. At the end of the assessment, the assessor will check that the information they have gathered about you is correct. The assessment is expected to take around 2 to 3 hours, and you can choose to bring a support person with you.
What will happen after the Support Needs Assessment?
The assessor will put together a report shortly after your assessment and send it to the NDIA. You will also get a copy of the report.
How will the Support Needs Assessment affect my plan budget?
A planner will use the assessment report and any other information provided by allied health professionals to develop your plan. They will follow standard budget rules to decide how much funding they will allocate for the supports you need. Your plan will include flexible funding for supports such as therapy or community access, and stated funding for specific supports such as high-cost assistive technology or home modifications.
What can I do to prepare for my Support Needs Assessment?
If you would like to prepare for the new planning process, consider keeping a daily or weekly record of your activities, the supports you need and how often you need them. This information will help you discuss your support needs during the assessment.
When will this affect me?
Before you move to the new planning process, the NDIA will contact you with more information about the changes and what to expect. Participants will transition gradually to the new process between April 2027 and December 2030.
