NDIS plan review for children: check-ins and reassessments

The NDIA now uses "check-in" and "plan reassessment" instead of "plan review". For most children, the process now starts with a check-in with your my NDIS contact, about 2 to 3 months before the plan's reassessment date.^[] At the check-in, the NDIA decides whether your child's plan can continue much as it is or needs a plan reassessment. The best preparation is recent progress reports from your child's therapists, a fresh look at the plan goals, and notes on what has changed in your child's life.^[]

If you disagree with a decision afterwards, that's a separate process called a decision review, and you have 3 months to ask for it.^[]

What each step is called now

What the 2026 law changes mean for your child's plan

The Securing the NDIS for Future Generations laws passed in August 2026, and several changes affect children's plans:^[]

• Only participants, plan nominees or child representatives can ask for a plan reassessment before the scheduled date. The request needs a significant and ongoing change in functional capacity, support needs, or living, education or informal support arrangements.
• The NDIA has 90 days to decide whether to reassess.
• From 1 October 2026, budgets for improved daily living skills (the category that funds therapy^[]) are being reduced over 12 months as plans are reassessed or newly approved. Reductions for renewed plans start from 1 February 2027.
• From February 2027, unspent funds from the old plan won't carry over to a renewed plan.
• From February 2027, the NDIA will have clearer guidelines on what parents are expected to provide for a child, such as supervision and transport. This does not include the extra support a child needs because of their disability.

Start with progress reports

Ask each therapist for a progress report well before the check-in, since writing one takes time. The NDIA says that before a reassessment it may ask for evidence from your child's therapists showing progress towards goals and measurable outcomes.^[]

For children under 9, the NDIA's early childhood guideline lists what a progress report should cover:^[]

• a summary of the supports your child and family received
• how those supports helped
• how much progress was made towards each goal
• measurable outcomes achieved
• links made to mainstream or community services
• barriers to using supports and how they were resolved
• any risks to your child or others
• recommendations for ongoing support, and future goals

For children 9 and over who need ongoing therapy, the report should include recommended supports, how often they're needed, and why.^[] Read each report before it goes in. Check that it describes your child accurately and that the recommendations match the goals you care about.

You can send reports through your my NDIS contact, the my NDIS participant portal, or Service Hub, or ask the provider to send them directly to your my NDIS contact.^[]

Look at the goals again

The check-in will ask whether your child's goals still fit and whether you want to change or add any.^[] Before the meeting, write down:

• goals your child has met, with an example
• goals that still matter, and what's in the way
• new goals, especially around a transition like starting school

You don't need to wait for a reassessment to update goals. A goal change can be done as a plan variation at any time, but changing goals doesn't add funding on its own.^[] For a refresher on which budget pays for therapy, see what NDIS funding covers.

What to bring to the check-in

• Progress reports from each therapist
• Any new assessments, diagnoses or letters from your child's paediatrician or GP
• Your notes on goals: met, ongoing and new
• Changes at home, childcare, kindy or school, and anything coming up in the next year
• A rough picture of how much of each budget you've used, and why
• Questions you want answered, written down
• A support person, if you'd like one^[]

If your child's needs have changed a lot and you don't have a check-in coming up, you can ask for a plan reassessment using the NDIA's request form. Evidence must be recent, which usually means from the last 4 months and after the current plan was approved.^[]

If you don't agree with the decision

1. Ask the NDIA to explain the decision. Call 1800 800 110, use Service Hub, or talk to your my NDIS contact.^[]
2. Check the decision is reviewable. Approving a plan and the supports in it, and deciding not to reassess or vary a plan, are reviewable.^[]
3. Ask for an internal review within 3 months of receiving the decision in writing.^[] Say what you expected, why you think the decision should change, and whether you'll send new evidence.
4. If the NDIA asks for more information, you have up to 28 days to send it. The NDIA aims to finish internal reviews within 60 days.^[]
5. If you still disagree, you have 28 days after the internal review to apply to the Administrative Review Tribunal.^[]

An early childhood partner, local area coordinator, family member or friend can help you ask for a review, with your permission.^[]

Next steps

Before the meeting, write or update your child's NDIS goals and check the current therapy price limits.

Book progress report requests with your therapists now, then set aside an hour to go through the goals. If the new plan changes how you manage funding or who you work with, our guides to plan-managed funding and changing providers may help. If you'd like to talk about therapy under a plan-managed or self-managed plan, you can send Hey Sprout an enquiry.