The NDIS is meant to be about you, your goals, your needs, and your right to live with dignity and independence.
Unfortunately, not every planning meeting goes the way it should. Some participants find themselves with an NDIS Planner who seems uninterested in understanding their disability, dismissive of the input from their primary carer, and more focused on reducing funding than supporting the participant’s needs.
If you’ve ever been in a meeting where the planner is arrogant, inflexible, and clearly following a cost-cutting agenda rather than acting in your best interests, you’ll know how frustrating and disempowering it can feel.
This article explains what you can do before, during, and after your plan review meeting to protect your rights and secure the funding you need.
1. Understand Your Rights Under the NDIS
The NDIS Participant Service Charter sets out how the NDIA (National Disability Insurance Agency) and its staff must act. They must:
- Listen to you and understand what’s important to you
- Respect your privacy and treat you fairly
- Provide transparent decisions with clear reasons
- Support you to have choice and control
If your planner is ignoring your needs, dismissing your carer, or rushing to reduce supports without explanation, they are not acting in line with this Charter. Having this knowledge gives you a strong foundation for advocating for yourself.
2. Prepare Before the Meeting
Preparation is your strongest defence against funding cuts.
Gather Evidence
- Therapy and medical reports that outline your current needs
- Progress notes from allied health professionals
- Letters from your GP or specialist
- Daily care records from your carer that show the level of support you require
Link Supports to Your NDIS Goals
Under NDIS legislation, supports must be “reasonable and necessary”. This means they must:
- Be related to your disability
- Help you pursue your goals
- Represent value for money
- Be best delivered by the NDIS (and not another service system)
If your evidence clearly links each support to your stated goals, it’s much harder for a planner to argue against them.
Bring a Support Person or Advocate
Even if your primary carer is attending, consider bringing:
- A support coordinator
- An independent advocate (through a disability advocacy organisation)
- A trusted friend who understands the NDIS process
This gives you extra witnesses and support in case the meeting turns adversarial.
3. Strategies During the Meeting
If your planner is dismissive or tries to dominate the conversation:
Stay Calm, But Be Firm
Getting angry may make it easier for the planner to label you as “difficult”. Stay composed but assertive.
Insist on Being Heard
If they try to talk over you or your carer:
- Say, “I haven’t finished speaking. I would like my needs to be fully heard and recorded.”
- Ask for your carer’s comments to be documented in the meeting notes.
Ask for Written Justifications
If the planner suggests removing or reducing supports, request:
- “Please explain how this decision meets the NDIS legislation and Service Charter.”
- “Can you put your reasons for this decision in writing?”
Keep Records
- Take notes during the meeting
- Ask if you can record the discussion (you must get their consent)
- Keep copies of any documents the planner refers to
4. After the Meeting — If the Outcome Is Unfair
If your plan is cut back and you believe it no longer meets your needs:
Request a Copy of the Meeting Notes
This helps identify where your input may have been overlooked.
Ask for a Review of the Decision
This is called an Internal Review. You must apply within 3 months of receiving your plan.
In your application:
- Clearly state which decisions you are challenging
- Attach the evidence you prepared (plus anything new you can gather)
- Explain how the decision fails to meet the “reasonable and necessary” criteria or the Service Charter
Engage an Advocate
Free advocacy services are available through the Disability Advocacy Finder (https://disabilityadvocacyfinder.dss.gov.au).
Consider the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT)
If the internal review doesn’t change the decision, you can appeal to the AAT. This is a more formal process but can be worth it if significant supports have been cut.
5. How to Avoid This Situation Next Time
- Request a Different Planner
You have the right to request a different planner if you’ve had a negative experience, especially if trust has been broken. - Choose a Face-to-Face Meeting
These can make it harder for a planner to rush or dismiss you compared to a short phone review. - Keep Your Evidence Up to Date Year-Round
Don’t wait until a month before your review to collect reports. Ongoing documentation of your needs gives you a stronger case.
Key Takeaways
Dealing with an unhelpful NDIS Planner is exhausting, but you’re not powerless. The law, the NDIS Participant Service Charter, and the “reasonable and necessary” criteria are on your side. By preparing strong evidence, staying calm but assertive in meetings, and following up with formal review processes, you can protect your funding and ensure your plan reflects your real needs, not the government’s cost-cutting targets.