Demystifying Your Child’s NDIS Plan: What All the Jargon Really Means

By Emily Hanlon

When you receive your child’s first NDIS plan, one of two things usually happens:

1. You skim it, trying to spot any familiar words (and quickly give up).

2. You read every word… and still have no idea what most of it actually means.

   
   

If either of these sound familiar, you’re in the right place.

The NDIS can be an incredibly powerful support system, but only if you know how to interpret the plan you’re given. The terminology used in NDIS documentation can feel like a foreign language, and misinterpreting even one section can lead to missed services, under-utilised funding, or unnecessary stress.

This blog will break down the key sections of your child’s NDIS plan, in plain English. We’ll look at what each part actually means, how it affects your child’s support, and what to watch out for. You’ll finish with the confidence to read your plan like a pro, and if you want a full guide with checklists and examples, grab the my new resource: Navigating the NDIS with Confidence.

What’s in an NDIS Plan?

Let’s start from the top. Every NDIS plan typically includes:

1. Participant Statement

2. Goals

3. Support Budgets (Core, Capacity Building, Capital)

4. Plan Management Type

5. Service Bookings or Stated Supports

6. Plan Dates and Review Timeframes

Now let’s unpack each section.

1. The Participant Statement

This section gives an overview of your child and your family context. It may include:

• Your child’s disability or developmental condition

• Their daily routines and challenges

• The support networks around them (family, school, community)

Why This Matters:

It sets the tone for the whole plan. Planners refer back to this to justify funding decisions. If it doesn’t reflect your child’s real needs, the rest of the plan may not meet them either.

Tip: If the statement feels vague or inaccurate, bring it up in your next review. You can request it be updated with more specific context.

2. Your Child’s Goals

NDIS goals drive the funding in the plan. They describe what your child is working towards, like:

• Increasing independence at home

• Supporting communication

• Participating in the community

• Building social relationships in a way that feels safe for your child

• Developing school readiness

What to Know:

• Goals must be functional and measurable, not vague.

• Funding is only approved if it relates to a listed goal.

• The more detail, the better. Specific goals make it easier to link services to outcomes.

From the Guide: Use the included “goal writing template” to upgrade vague goals into action-ready statements planners can work with.

3. The Support Budgets

Now we’re getting to the core of the plan, the actual funding categories. Here’s how they break down:

Core Supports

These cover daily activities and living needs.

Examples:

• Support workers for personal care or community access

• Transport

• Consumables (e.g. nappies, wipes, feeding aids)

• Assistance with social participation

Key Features:

• Most flexible category

• Funds can be used across different support types

• Can run out quickly if not monitored

Watch for: Are the Core Supports enough to cover the help you need at home or in the community? If you have to cut services mid-plan due to budget issues, a review may be needed.

Capacity Building Supports

These help your child develop skills, improve independence, and reach their goals.

Examples:

• Therapy (speech, OT, physio, psychology)

• Support coordination

• Behaviour support

• Social skills programs

• Parent training or mentoring

Key Features:

• Less flexible...funds must be used for the purpose they’re allocated for

• Often underused due to confusion about categories

Watch for: Each subcategory (like Improved Daily Living, Improved Relationships) must be understood individually. The Guide explains these line-by-line, with matching services for each.

Capital Supports

This covers high-cost items that support independence or safety.

Examples:

• Assistive technology (e.g. communication devices, mobility aids)

• Vehicle modifications

• Home accessibility adjustments

Key Features:

• Usually requires quotes, trials, or therapist reports

• Cannot be reallocated to other budgets

• Unused if documentation isn’t submitted

Watch for: If Capital Supports are in the plan, ask:

• What’s been funded?

• Are there conditions (e.g. specific suppliers, reports)?

• What are the steps to access it?

4. Plan Management Type

This section tells you how the plan is administered. There are three options:

• Agency-Managed: NDIS pays providers directly. You can only use NDIS-registered providers.

• Plan-Managed: A Plan Manager handles invoices, budgeting, and pays providers on your behalf. You can use both registered and non-registered providers. No cost to you, NDIS pays for this service in a separate line item.

• Self-Managed: You manage everything: invoicing, record-keeping, claiming, and compliance. Gives you the most flexibility but requires the most work.

Choosing What’s Right:

The Guide includes a side-by-side comparison chart that covers pros, cons, and key considerations for each option, plus how to request plan management if it’s not already included.

5. Stated Supports and Service Bookings

Sometimes, the NDIS specifies how certain funds must be used.

Stated Supports: These must be used exactly as written. For example, if the plan says, “Therapy delivered by XYZ provider,” you can’t choose someone else.

Service Bookings: These are often required for Agency-managed participants and must be set up in the NDIS portal to allow providers to claim payments.

Important: If something is stated and it no longer works for your child (e.g. the provider is no longer suitable), you may need to request a plan variation.

6. Plan Dates and Review Timeframes

Every plan has:

• A start and end date

• A review date

• Sometimes a plan reassessment meeting

Key Tips:

• Don’t wait until the plan is about to expire to prepare for the review. Begin gathering reports and tracking progress 2–3 months ahead.

• You can request an early review if your child’s needs change significantly.

• If your plan is set for more than 12 months, confirm whether it’s flexible or locked in. Some families benefit from annual reviews to adapt funding as their child develops.

Commonly Confused Terms (And What They Really Mean)

The NDIS loves acronyms and jargon. Here’s a quick glossary of key terms:

• ECEI: Early Childhood Early Intervention. Support pathway for children under 7. You don’t need a formal diagnosis to start accessing supports.

• R&N (Reasonable and Necessary): The legal test for whether something can be funded. It must relate to your child’s disability, be effective, and represent value for money.

• NDIS Partner: Local organisations funded to help participants navigate the scheme (e.g. early childhood partners, LACs).

• LAC: Local Area Coordinator. Helps participants over age 7 develop their plans and connect with community supports.

• Plan Review: Meeting to reassess needs and update goals/funding. Can be scheduled or requested early.

• Change of Circumstances: A formal process to notify the NDIS of significant changes in your child’s needs or life situation.

• Support Coordination: A funded service that helps manage and implement your child’s plan and connect with providers.

The full Guide includes a complete glossary of NDIS terms with examples, do/don’t explanations, and direct links to official guidance for parents.

Red Flags to Watch For in Your Plan

If you see any of the following in your plan, it’s worth flagging with your LAC or Support Coordinator:

• Missing Capacity Building funding despite therapy goals

• No Plan Management but you want access to non-registered providers

• Only 12-week plan period (this usually means the NDIS is trialling something or needs more reports)

• Goals that don’t reflect current priorities

• Incorrect disability description or outdated information in the Participant Statement

Pro Tips for Interpreting and Using Your Plan

• Read your plan slowly, section by section, don’t rush. Sounds obvious, but just trust me on this one!!

• Highlight or annotate with questions for your planner or coordinator

• Link every provider or service back to a goal to ensure you are able to claim it

• Set calendar reminders for mid-plan reviews, report due dates, and funding checks

• Use a plan tracker to monitor usage and avoid surprises

• If self-managed, the guide has a section on how to manage invoices and funding.

Want Help Putting It All Into Practice?

The Navigating the NDIS with Confidence Parent Guide was created specifically to support parents and caregivers like you...those who are committed to advocating for their child but need the roadmap to do it well.

Inside, you’ll find:

• A full NDIS plan breakdown (with side notes explaining every section)

• Goal-writing templates that align with funding categories

• Budget usage guides

• Communication scripts for planners and providers

• Review request checklists and email templates

The NDIS can absolutely work for your family, but only if you can understand and action what’s in your child’s plan. This blog has hopefully peeled back the jargon and clarified how to use your funding effectively and confidently.

If you want:

• Less confusion

• More control

• And the confidence to use your plan to its full potential...

Grab your copy of Navigating the NDIS with Confidence and give yourself the tools to become your child’s best advocate, without the overwhelm.

But don't just take my word for it, see what other parents are saying:

🌟 "If I had read this resource earlier, it would have brought me so much more confidence during the NDIS process. It’s incredibly helpful and clearly written for parents who are trying to understand a very complex system." - Tash D

🌟 "The section on advocacy is so validating. It doesn’t just explain what to do, it acknowledges how exhausting this all is and reminds parents that we’re doing an amazing job. Sometimes, that’s exactly what we need to keep going."— Emma F

🌟 "This would have been invaluable to me at the beginning of our early intervention journey. Even now, after two years of navigating the system, I found new insights, like support coordination, that no one had ever explained to me."— Malia C

🌟 "This resource doesn’t sugar-coat anything. It prepares parents for what to expect, including hurdles and common delays. It clearly outlines what can restrict your application and how to push through the system when you need to."— Tori S

🌟 "I absolutely love this. It’s clear, practical, and grounded in the realities of the NDIS. Definitely a resource to be proud of and something every parent should have access to before starting the process."— Claire M