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Writer's pictureKate Bradshaw

Goal Setting


When you apply for funding from the NDIS the process requires you to develop a plan that captures the goals you wish to achieve and the support you require to get there.

NDIS planners will ask questions about how you are going in different areas of your life. This helps the NDIS develop a plan that provides the right support for you.

This blog helps you learn more about goal setting and the different types of goals you may want to consider.

What are goals?

Goals are things you want to achieve with support from the NDIS and other supports and services. Your goals are highly personal and will cover a range of areas from your living situation, to employment and friends and interests. When setting goals, it is always useful to make them as specific as possible and think about what success would look like for each goal.

What are the benefits of setting goals?

Goals are an important component to achieving success in your life. Goals serve as a guide to keep you on course when times get tough and prevent you from becoming distracted by unimportant matters. Goals also provide benefits in areas like planning, motivation and the attainment of skills. Other benefits include;

  • To help you to define a clear pathway ahead

  • To be in control of what you are aiming for

  • To guide your team to give you the help you need

  • To plan how to achieve certain tasks and work out how long each task may take

  • To help keep you motivated

  • You can measure your improvement

The importance of goals

The NDIS will fund reasonable and necessary supports for a person with a disability to pursue their goals and aspirations. Funding is aimed at increasing independence, social and economic participation and to develop capacity to actively take part in the community. Some of the areas the NDIS will support, include:

  • education,

  • employment,

  • social participation,

  • building/ maintaining independence,

  • living arrangements, and

  • health and well-being

Success is measured by how well you, or your loved one, moves towards achieving each of your goals.

Short-term goals

These goals can usually be achieved in under 12 months. Think about what you would like to achieve, why you would like to achieve it and when you would like to achieve it by. What are your top short-term goals for this NDIS plan?

  • E.g. Goal 1: This year, I want to learn to use public transport by myself so I can go to the library, start a course or go out with friends and not rely on my mum.

  • E.g. Goal 2: I want to be able to shower myself, without a support worker.

Medium to long-term goals

What do you want to achieve in the medium to long-term? These goals may take several years to achieve but it’s important to identify the steps towards achieving them.

  • E.g. Goal 1: In the next few years, I want to move out of home, maybe with a friend.

  • E.g. Goal 2: Get a job so that I can pay my own bills.

The process of setting goals helps you to choose where you want to go and what you want to do in the future, while considering how you are going to get there.

Steps to success

When you have identified your goals, review the NDIS website (link below) to make sure you have covered everything that the planners will need, it is also worth referring to the NDIS price guide to review the different support categories. This will help you understand how supports are grouped together and the supports you require to help you achieve your goals and how to best use your NDIS funds.

Achieving & reviewing goals

Take time out during the year to review your needs and your goals, this will allow you to reassess what you require. If you are struggling to achieve your goals, either because the support is understated or just not working for you, you can talk to your Local Area Coordinator or Support Coordinator to talk through concerns and request a new provider or a plan review, if required.

It is important to log this information, because at the end of your plan, service providers will provide a summary report outlining how they see you have progressed towards your goal. These reports will be reviewed by your NDIA planner and may influence the outcome of your next plan. Make sure that when you request your review document that it includes any information that explains why your progress was limited and/or why your goals were not achieved. This may be as a result of sickness, an injury or time taken to find a suitable provider.

If you are looking for more information on the planning process for NDIS, click here.

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