An NDIS check-in meeting (sometimes called a participant check-in or check-in call) is a short conversation between you (or your nominee/child representative) and your my NDIS contact. It can happen over the phone or face-to-face, and you can bring a support person if you want to.
Check-ins are meant to be a supportive touchpoint—making sure your plan is on track and picking up issues early—but they can also happen close to plan reassessment time, so it’s smart to treat them seriously.
What’s the point of a check-in?
The NDIA uses check-ins to:
- see how you’re going with your current plan
- confirm whether your circumstances have changed
- help identify barriers to using your supports
- make sure your funded supports (and other mainstream/community supports) are meeting your needs.
A check-in is also your chance to ask questions and flag what isn’t working—before things become urgent.
When do check-in meetings usually happen?
A check-in often happens as part of the lead-up to a plan reassessment.
In fact, the NDIA states that the plan reassessment experience starts with a participant check-in, where they contact you near your plan end date to book the reassessment meeting, and check how you’re going.
You may also have a check-in if:
- you’re new to the NDIS (or have a more complex plan)
- there have been changes in your life that might affect supports (school transitions, moving house, work changes)
- you’ve contacted the NDIA and they need more information to progress something.
What you might be asked in a check-in
Most check-ins cover practical topics like:
- how your supports are going (what’s working / what’s not)
- whether you’re progressing toward your goals
- whether your needs or risks have changed
- whether you’re using all your plan, and if not, why
- what supports you’re using outside the NDIS (mainstream/community).
What to do before the meeting: a simple prep checklist
Even if you’re told it’s “just a quick check-in,” prepare like it matters.
Bring / have ready:
- your current NDIS plan (goals + budgets)
- therapy reports or progress notes (recent is best)
- a short list of what’s working well
- a short list of problems/barriers (waitlists, cancellations, no suitable providers, safety concerns, plan not meeting needs)
- any upcoming changes (school/year transition, diagnosis updates, changes in informal supports)
- if you’ll be requesting changes soon: quotes and clear “why” statements.
Write down your key messages (1 page max):
- “What has changed?”
- “What does my child/I need now that we didn’t need before?”
- “What happens if supports aren’t in place?”
How to stay in control during the check-in
Use these phrases (they’re simple, but powerful):
- Confirm what the meeting is
“Before we start—can you confirm if this is a check-in only, or part of a reassessment process?”
- Ask for time if you’re not ready
“I’d like my support person present. Can we reschedule for a time they can attend?”
- Take notes
Write down the date/time, who you spoke with, and what was agreed.
- Ask what happens next
“What are the next steps, and when should I expect an outcome or follow-up?”
Possible outcomes after a check-in
A check-in can lead to different next steps, including:
- no change (everything continues as is)
- a plan reassessment being scheduled (common near plan end date)
- small updates being actioned if you’ve requested a change (the NDIA refers to timeframes and steps under change processes)
- extra assistance to implement the plan (where appropriate), such as more connection/support to use the plan effectively.
If you need to reschedule (or you get an unexpected call)
You’re allowed to ask for another time. A polite, clear script:
“Thanks for calling. I’m not in a position to do this properly right now. I need to have my support person with me and I want to make sure I have my notes and documents ready. Can we please book another time?”
Quick FAQ
Can a check-in change my plan on the spot?
A check-in is described by the NDIA as a conversation about how you’re going with your plan, and it commonly occurs before (or leading into) a reassessment process.
Who can I contact if I’m unsure what’s happening?
You can contact the NDIS by phone on 1800 800 110 (participants).
How Footprints Advocacy can support you through NDIS check-in and planning meetings
NDIS check-in meetings can feel quick and informal — but what you share (and how it’s recorded) can influence what happens next, especially when a plan reassessment or planning meeting is coming up. That’s where Footprints Advocacy can make a real difference.
When you have an advocate with you, you’re not walking into the process alone. You have someone in your corner — someone who can help you stay focused, ask the right questions, and make sure your needs (or your child’s needs) are clearly explained and properly understood.
Footprints Advocacy can help by:
- Preparing you before the meeting so you feel confident and know what to say (and what not to miss).
- Helping you organise your evidence (reports, progress notes, quotes, observations) so your support needs are clear and consistent.
- Attending meetings with you (check-ins and planning meetings) to support you, take notes, and keep the conversation on track.
- Clarifying language and expectations so the NDIA understands the practical impact of disability on everyday life — not just a list of diagnoses.
- Strengthening the link between needs, goals and supports so the request makes sense and is easier to assess as reasonable and necessary.
A reasonable and necessary plan looks different for every person. What’s right for one participant may not meet the needs of another — even with the same diagnosis — because supports should reflect the individual’s functional needs, daily environments, safety risks, and goals. Having Footprints Advocacy involved helps ensure your plan is shaped around your circumstances, not a “standard” version of what someone thinks you should cope with.
Most importantly: advocacy support can help you feel heard, reduce stress, and increase the likelihood that the plan you walk away with is fit for purpose, usable, and actually supports real life.
If you’ve got an upcoming NDIS check-in meeting or planning meeting and you want to feel prepared, supported, and confident, Footprints Advocacy can help.
We can support you to:
- understand what the meeting is really for
- prepare your key points and evidence
- attend with you and advocate for what you need
- work toward a plan that is truly reasonable and necessary for your individual circumstances
Reach out to Footprints Advocacy to book a free chat and we’ll help you take the next step with a clear plan and someone in your corner.
If you want to find out more information about how I can help you, book a FREE 20 min Consulation with me