How to prepare for your NDIS plan review when you use assistive technology
A plan review can feel like a test you did not get to study for, especially when your equipment is part of the conversation. Preparing well changes that. This guide walks you through how to approach an NDIS plan review when assistive technology is part of your life, so you go in organised, clear and confident.
What a plan review is and when it happens
A plan review is the NDIS checking in on how your plan is working and deciding what your next plan should include. Most plans are reviewed every one to three years, though you can request a review sooner if your situation changes.
The review looks at your goals, the supports you have used, and what you need going forward. If your equipment needs have shifted, the review is your chance to update your funding to match. Knowing the date early gives you time to organise, so the review does not sneak up on you.
Document your current equipment needs before the review
Start by taking stock of every piece of assistive technology you use. Note what is working well, what is starting to struggle, and anything you are managing without that would make life safer or easier.
Write it down in plain language. ‘My wheelchair is harder to push and my shoulders are sore by the afternoon’ tells the story better than a list of parts. The clearer your picture, the easier it is for your planner and OT to respond.
Why equipment service history matters in a plan review
Service history is quiet evidence that works in your favour. A well-documented maintenance record shows the NDIS that your equipment is being looked after, that it is still fit for purpose, or that it is reaching the end of its safe life.
This is where a preventative maintenance program earns its place. Regency Care’s PM program keeps a record of every service, so when review time comes, you have proof of your equipment’s condition and history without scrambling for it.
If you use a maintenance program, ask your provider for a simple summary of services and any repairs. A one-page history is easier for a planner to absorb than a pile of invoices, and it quietly makes the case that your equipment is well cared for.
Questions to ask your planner about assistive technology
Come prepared with questions. Useful ones include:
- Is my current AT funding enough for servicing and repairs?
- What evidence do you need if my equipment needs to be replaced?
- How do I fund an assessment for new equipment?
- What happens if my needs change part-way through my plan?
Asking these shows you understand your plan and helps avoid gaps later.
What to do if your equipment needs have changed
Needs change. You might be more mobile, less mobile, or living in a different home. If your equipment no longer fits your life, say so clearly and back it with an OT assessment.
Do not wait for the equipment to fail before raising it. A plan review is the natural moment to update your supports, so bring the evidence and make the case.
You do not have to do it alone
You do not have to attend a review by yourself. A family member, carer, Support Coordinator or OT can join you, and having someone there to take notes and back up your account takes real pressure off. If your equipment is central to your plan, ask your OT whether they can contribute evidence or attend.
Walk in prepared
A calm, well-prepared NDIS plan review protects the assistive technology you rely on. Document your needs, keep your service history handy, ask good questions, and be honest about what has changed. Preparation turns a stressful appointment into a productive one.
