The build-up to receiving NDIS funding can feel like it lasts forever. For many families, it’s an exhausting process, from gathering reports to waiting months (or longer) for approval. But then it happens. You get the green light, the plan is approved, and funding is on its way.
That moment brings relief and a wave of new questions. What now? Who do you speak to? How do you actually turn funding into support that fits your life?
Getting approved for the NDIS is a big step. It’s a relief for many people, but it can also bring up a lot of new questions. What actually happens next? Who gets in touch? What should you do in the meantime?
Here’s what usually happens after that first “yes,” so you know what to expect and can move forward with a bit more confidence.
Step 1: You’re In, So What’s Next?
You’ll get a letter from the NDIA saying you’ve been approved. It will explain why and what criteria you met. After that, it’s mostly a matter of waiting to hear from someone, usually a Local Area Coordinator or an NDIS planner. That tends to happen within about three weeks, give or take.
Someone from the NDIS will get in touch to set up your first planning meeting. It’s usually a relaxed chat where you talk through what life looks like day to day to know what’s going okay, what’s been hard, and where a bit of extra support could actually make a difference.
Step 2: What the Planning Meeting Is Really About
This first meeting isn’t just a formality. It’s where you get to talk about your life, what support would actually help, what your goals are, and what’s been hard.
The plan should be shaped around you, not just a list of services. You don’t need to show up with everything figured out, but it’s worth taking a bit of time to think about what matters most in your week-to-week life. What would make things easier? What would give you more freedom?
To prepare, gather these essentials:
- Proof of identity (like a driver’s licence or passport)
- Your myGov login details
- Any reports from providers or professionals who’ve supported you for at least six months
- A list of equipment or assistive tech you use (wheelchairs, hearing devices, etc.)
- Bank details (yours if self-managed, or a provider’s if you’re using agency management)
You can bring a family member, friend, or advocate, someone who knows you well and can help you communicate your needs. If you’ve been supported by a healthcare provider who understands your condition, they can join too. That’s particularly helpful for participants with complex or rare conditions like Huntington’s disease or permanent blindness, where clear, documented support needs make all the difference.
Step 3: Set Up the Myplace Portal
Once your planning conversation is complete, you’ll get access to the NDIS Myplace portal. This is where you’ll find your plan, monitor your budget, and manage any bookings or claims.
Even if you’ve never used a system like this before, it’s designed to be simple, and your coordinator can walk you through it if needed.
Step 4: Review Your Plan
After the NDIA approves your plan (usually within 2–4 weeks), it will be sent to you by mail and uploaded to Myplace. This is your blueprint. It outlines your funded supports, your goals, and how your disability impacts your daily life.
If something feels missing or unclear, you have the right to request a review within three months. Your LAC or planner can explain the process and support you through it.
Step 5: Build a Plan That Reflects Your Life
The strongest NDIS plans aren’t just lists of services. They’re shaped around real people and real lives, what day-to-day looks like, what’s tough, what kind of help is already in place, and what you’d like to be able to do more of.
Say your child has a genetic condition that affects mobility or independence. That kind of detail isn’t just important, it’s central. It helps explain why certain supports matter, whether that’s getting out into the community, working on everyday skills, or just feeling safe and settled at home.
Planners also look ahead. They’re thinking about how your support can grow with you and how to build up capacity over time. So if one of your goals is to rely a little less on daily help or feel more independent in small ways, bring that into the conversation. It all adds up.
Step 6: Decide How You’ll Manage Your Funding
There are three management options:
- NDIA-managed: The simplest option. The NDIA pays providers directly and manages all the paperwork.
- Plan-managed: A plan manager helps you pay invoices and monitor spending. You can also use non-registered providers.
- Self-managed: You control your funding and pay your supports directly, but you’ll need to keep records, submit claims, and stay on top of the budget.
Families supporting someone with deafblindness or intellectual disabilities often prefer plan or NDIA management. It reduces the admin and allows more time for care.
Step 7: Use Your Funding Wisely
Every dollar in your plan should be working toward something meaningful, whether that’s independence, community access, or simply getting through the day with less stress.
You don’t have to spend it all at once, and you don’t need to use every service immediately. But it does help to plan ahead. For example, if you’re a carer, you may want to use part of the budget to reduce the risk of caregiver burnout. Supports like respite, personal care workers, or domestic help can make a big difference long term.
Just remember: NDIS funding is designed to be reasonable and necessary, not excessive. Avoid using funds for anything already covered by other services, like public health or education.
Step 8: Plan for the Future
Your plan isn’t set in stone. As life changes, so can your supports. Whether your needs increase, stabilise, or shift completely, you’ll have a formal plan reassessment, usually every 12 months, to check in.
When that time comes, reflect honestly on what’s working and what’s not. If you’ve been receiving support at home, you might already be building toward a more stable routine or more independence, and that’s worth tracking. Small wins are still progress.
What’s Next?
There’s no set path once you’re approved for the NDIS. Every family’s different. Some people are focused on getting day-to-day support in place. Others are juggling more complex medical needs or trying to make sense of multiple services, and sometimes, it’s just about figuring out where to even begin.
The important thing is knowing you don’t have to have all the answers straight away. This stuff can feel like a lot at first, but with the right kind of support, it becomes more manageable. Bit by bit, it starts to make more sense. You can take it at your own pace.
If you’re at that stage now, ready to turn the funding into something real, Beacon Support is here to help. Whether you need a simple setup or something more involved, the team will take the time to understand what actually matters to you. Support plans are built with care, not rushed, and always shaped around your life.
You’ve already done the hard part by getting to this point. From here, you don’t have to figure it out on your own. Having the right people around you makes a big difference, not just in what gets done, but in how it feels along the way.
