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NDIS Plan Reviews and Support Worker Funding

NDIS plan reviews are a key opportunity for participants to check whether their current supports, including support workers, are meeting their needs. Since support workers provide daily living assistance, personal care, and community participation, their funding is often one of the most important parts of a plan. Understanding how support worker funding is reviewed and adjusted during plan reviews helps participants make the most of their NDIS supports.

1. What Happens in an NDIS Plan Review?

A plan review is when the NDIS reassesses whether your supports align with your current goals and needs. Reviews usually occur annually, but they can happen sooner if your circumstances change.

During the review, you and your planner or Local Area Coordinator (LAC) will:

  • Discuss the goals you’ve achieved and set new ones.
  • Assess whether your supports, including support workers, are still appropriate.
  • Identify any gaps or additional support required.

This process ensures your plan remains flexible and continues to support your independence and participation.

2. Support Worker Funding Categories in NDIS Plans

Support workers are usually funded through:

  • Core Supports – Assistance with Daily Life
    Covers personal care, household tasks, meal preparation, and other daily living supports.
  • Core Supports – Assistance with Social and Community Participation
    Covers support worker hours for accessing community activities, attending appointments, or joining social events.
  • Supported Independent Living (SIL)
    For participants who need 24/7 or regular in-home support to live independently.

During a review, the NDIS may adjust how much funding is allocated to these categories based on your progress and current needs.

3. How to Prepare Evidence for Support Worker Funding

To ensure you receive the right level of funding, it’s important to bring clear evidence to your plan review. This may include:

  • Support worker logs: Records of hours worked and tasks completed.
  • Progress notes: How support has helped you achieve daily living or community goals.
  • Therapist reports: Evidence from occupational therapists, physiotherapists, or psychologists showing why ongoing support is required.
  • Carer input: Feedback from family members or carers about the importance of support worker assistance.

This evidence shows the NDIS that support worker funding is both reasonable and necessary.

4. When to Request More Support Worker Hours

You should ask for an increase in support worker funding if:

  • You have new or greater personal care needs.
  • You want to build more independence with daily tasks.
  • You wish to engage in more community or social activities.
  • Your disability or health condition has changed, requiring additional support.

Bringing clear examples during the review—such as difficulties with cooking, transport, or self-care—helps justify increased hours.

5. Flexibility of Core Supports

One benefit of support worker funding is that Core Supports are flexible. If you need more hours of daily living support and fewer hours of community access, you can usually reallocate within this budget (unless it’s a fixed category like SIL). Your plan review is the best time to adjust these allocations to reflect your real needs.

6. Role of Families and Carers in Reviews

Families and carers often provide valuable insights into how support workers help with daily life. Their input can strengthen your case for ongoing or increased funding by highlighting the difference support makes in relieving carer stress and improving independence.

Conclusion

Support worker funding is central to many NDIS plans, as it allows participants to live independently, access the community, and achieve personal goals. During an NDIS plan review, it’s important to present evidence of how support workers have helped, identify areas where more assistance is needed, and ensure funding is aligned with your changing needs. With the right preparation, participants can secure the support they need to continue living safely, independently, and with greater choice and control.

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