What does an 'average' NDIS plan look like

Whether you are starting out on the NDIS Plan journey or looking at making some changes, sometimes it’s good to have something to compare to that might help you assess the value you are getting from your own plan.

You might wonder…

• What do people with similar needs and goals have in their plan?
• With so much to choose from and manage, am I missing out on something that could really benefit me?
• Am I spending my funds in the most effective way, to get the best value from my plan?

Your NDIS Plan is critical to supporting your health, lifestyle, and independence, yet understanding all the options available can be overwhelming. Most NDIS participants will have a Local Area Coordinator who can help them understand and use their plan. If there isn’t one in your area, the NDIA may fund a Support Coordinator who will be able to guide you in the right direction.

But with so much on offer, it can still be hard to gauge whether your plan is the best possible plan for you!

What is in an ‘average’ plan?

To give you a guideline, in the past 12 months, actual NDIS funding averages between $46K-$51K per participant, per year (stats are provided in the latest NDIS quarterly report). However, it’s important to remember that everybody is unique and has different goals, and some supports and services cost more than others.

For instance, if your goal is to live independently, you might have a greater number of Supported Independent Living (SIL) supports in your plan – this can include things like Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) to live away from home, or an Occupational Therapist to help you get your driver’s licence or even catch public transport.

It’s good to know that since 2018, the average plan budget has increased by almost 21%. Interestingly, over the same period, payments within the scheme (what is actually being spent) have only increased by 12%. In order to get the most out of your plan, it’s important to choose supports that you need and can use. Spending your NDIS funds wisely is the best way to ensure you get the maximum value from your plan. If this is not the case, have a chat to your Support Coordinator about reviewing your plan.

What are the more popular plan options?

It’s common for some NDIS participants who have been in the Scheme for at least two years to increase their funding for community and social participation by around 9%. This might mean participating in activities like horse riding, art classes, music or dancing lessons, gymnasiums, or taekwondo are popular. Assistance with Social and Community Participation means you can use some of your funding for supports that can enable you to engage in social and recreational activities.

At the end of the day, we want you to remember that you are the expert when it comes to deciding what you need and what you want to achieve. Your NDIS plan is there to support you in accomplishing these things. If you don’t think it’s delivering value or if there are other areas you’d like to explore, speak to your support coordinator to arrange a plan review.

Preparing for your NDIS plan review

Most NDIS participants go through a plan review every year. Your NDIS plan won’t stay the same—it will change over time as your needs change. Our free guide to prepare for your NDIS plan review can help you prepare and get the most out of it.