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Setting goals for your NDIS plan is a key step to getting the right supports. This guide will show you how to create goals that work for you and help you live the life you want.

What Are NDIS Plan Goals?

NDIS plan goals are the things you want to achieve with your NDIS funding. They help show what supports you need. Good goals focus on what matters to you and what you want to do in your life.

Your goals are written in your NDIS plan and help the NDIS decide what funding to give you. The National Disability Insurance Scheme uses your goals to understand how to support you best.

Why NDIS Goal Setting Matters

Setting good NDIS goals is important because:

• Your goals help decide what funding you get
• Clear goals make it easier to track your progress
• Goals help your support workers know how to help you
• Well-written goals can lead to better outcomes

NDIS participants who set clear goals often find it easier to get the right supports. Your goals tell everyone what you want to achieve.

SMART Goals for NDIS Plans

SMART is a helpful way to write your NDIS goals. SMART stands for

• Specific – Clear about what you want
• Measurable – Can tell when you’ve reached it
• Achievable – Possible to do with support
• Relevant – Matters to your life
• Time-bound – Has a timeframe

For example, instead of “I want to be more independent,” a SMART goal might be “I want to learn how to catch the bus to the shops by myself within six months.”

Short-Term vs. Long-Term NDIS Goals

Your NDIS plan can have both short-term and long-term goals. Here’s how they differ:

Both types of goals are important for your NDIS plan preparation. Your Local Area Coordinator can help you decide which goals to include.

NDIS Goal Examples You Can Use

Here are some NDIS goal examples to help you start thinking about your own goals:

1. “I want to learn how to cook three simple meals by myself in the next six months.”
2. “I want to join a community group and make two new friends this year.”
3. “I want to find a part-time job in retail within the next 12 months.”
4. “I want to learn how to use public transport to get to my weekly activities.”
5. “I want to move into my apartment with support within two years.”

These examples cover different NDIS funding categories like core supports and capacity building.

How to Write Effective NDIS Goals

Follow these steps for writing effective NDIS goals:

1. Think about what matters most to you
2. Consider what you want to change or improve
3. Break big goals into smaller steps
4. Use the SMART framework
5. Write your goals in your own words
6. Focus on what you want, not what you need
7. Include both everyday and bigger life goals

Remember, your goals should reflect your wishes, not what others think you should do.

Getting Help with NDIS Goal Setting

You don’t have to set goals by yourself. You can get help from:

• Family members or friends
• NDIS support coordinators
• Local Area Coordinators
• Disability service providers
• NDIS plan reviewers

These people can help you think about what you want to achieve and how to write your goals.

Tracking Progress Towards Your NDIS Goals

Once you have your NDIS plan, it’s important to track how you’re doing with your goals:

• Keep notes about the steps you’ve taken
• Talk regularly with your support workers about your progress
• Take photos or videos to show what you’ve learned
• Update your NDIS support coordinator

Tracking your progress helps when it’s time for your NDIS plan review. It shows what you’ve achieved and what you still need help with.

Common Questions About NDIS Plan Goals

Are you a cleaner, gardener, or handyman wondering how to navigate the NDIS payment system? 

You’re not alone! Many service providers feel confused when first working with NDIS participants. 

The good news is that once you understand the basics, getting paid through the NDIS can be straightforward and reliable.

What is the NDIS, and How Does it work?

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is Australia’s way of funding support services for people with disabilities. Think of it as a special budget given to people with disabilities so they can buy the services they need.

When someone joins the NDIS, they get a plan with funding to pay for different supports. These supports help them live their daily life more easily. 

Home maintenance, cleaning, and gardening are important services that many NDIS participants need. But how does the money get from the NDIS to your pocket as a service provider? That’s what we’ll explain in simple terms. 

Have you ever wondered why some NDIS clients pay you directly while others seem to have a company paying on their behalf? There’s a simple reason for this difference, which we’ll cover next.

The Three Ways NDIS Plans Can Be Managed

NDIS participants can choose how they want their funding to be managed. There are three main options, and each affects how you’ll get paid as a service provider:

How to Prepare Your Business for NDIS Clients

Getting ready to work with NDIS participants isn’t complicated, but there are some important steps to take:

For All NDIS Service Providers:

Get clear on your services and rates

• Know exactly what services you offer
• Have a clear rate card that’s easy to understand
• Be able to explain how your services help NDIS participants

Create proper invoicing systems

Every invoice should include:

• Your ABN
• A clear description of services provided
• Date and location of service
• Hours worked or service delivered
• GST information
• Payment terms and methods

Understand NDIS service categories

• Cleaning usually falls under “Assistance with Daily Life.”
• Gardening and handyman work often fall under “Home Modifications and Maintenance.”
• Knowing the right category helps with smooth payment processing

Get insurance

• Public liability insurance is essential
• Consider professional indemnity insurance
• Make sure you’re covered for working with vulnerable people

For Providers Working with Agency-Managed Clients:

If you want to work with participants with NDIS-managed plans, you must register as an NDIS provider. This involves

Apply for NDIS registration

• Create an account on the NDIS Commission website
• Complete the application forms
• Select the right registration groups for your services
• Pay the registration fee

Pass a verification or certification audit

• Smaller providers usually need verification
• Larger organisations need certification
• An independent auditor will check your processes

Meet quality and safety requirements

• Develop policies and procedures
• Ensure staff have proper screening
• Implement a complaints system

Set up NDIS portal access

• Once registered, you’ll get access to the payment portal
• Learn how to submit payment requests
• Understand claim deadlines

Is registration worth it for your business? Working with self-managed and plan-managed participants might be easier than going through the full registration process for many small cleaners, gardeners, and handypersons.

Tips for Getting NDIS Payments Paid Smoothly

Now for the practical advice on making sure you get paid without hassles:

Clear Communication is Key

Always discuss and confirm these details before starting work:

• Who will be paying you (the participant, their plan manager, or the NDIS)
• What service category does your work fall under in their NDIS plan
• Whether they have funding for your service in their plan
• How many hours or sessions do they have funding for
• Are any special requirements or adaptive approaches needed

Creating NDIS-Friendly Invoices

Your invoices need specific information for NDIS purposes:

• The participant’s full name and NDIS number
• The exact service category (like “Home Maintenance” or “Household Tasks”)
• Clear dates when services were provided
• Detailed description of what you did
• Plan manager details (if relevant)
• Your bank details for payment

Pro tip: Create a template invoice for NDIS clients with spaces for all this information.

Payment Timeframes to Expect

Different payment methods have different timeframes:

• Self-managed clients: 

Usually pay like regular clients (often within 7 days)

• Plan-managed clients: 

Typically, 3-7 business days after the plan manager receives your invoice

• NDIS-managed clients: 

Usually 3-5 business days after successful claim submission

Handling Payment Issues

If payment is delayed:

1. First, contact the client to confirm they received your invoice

2. For plan-managed clients, contact the plan manager directly

3. For NDIS-managed payments, check the portal for claim status

4. Keep records of all communications about payment

5. Be patient but persistent – sometimes there are administrative delays

Example: Jason, a handyman, completed some bathroom modifications but hadn’t received payment after two weeks. He called the client’s plan manager and discovered they needed additional information about the materials. After providing this, payment was processed within 48 hours.

Have you experienced delays in getting paid? Most payment issues are caused by simple misunderstandings about processes or missing information.

Getting Started with Your First NDIS Client

Ready to work with NDIS participants? Here’s a simple checklist to get started:

1. Prepare your business documentation:

• Update your insurance
• Create NDIS-specific invoice templates
• Set clear service descriptions and rates

2. Decide which types of NDIS clients you’ll work with:
   • Self-managed (easiest to start with)
   • Plan-managed (also relatively straightforward)
   • NDIS-managed (requires registration)
3. Network to find clients:
   • Let existing clients know you can work with NDIS funding
   • Connect with support coordinators in your area
   • Join local disability service provider networks
   • Consider listing your services on NDIS-focused directories
4. For your first client:
   • Ask lots of questions about their plan management
   • Get their NDIS number and plan manager details if relevant
   • Confirm which service category your work falls under
   • Double-check your invoice format before sending

Building a Sustainable NDIS Service Business

Working with NDIS participants can provide steady, meaningful work for cleaners, gardeners, and handypersons. While there might be a learning curve initially, many service providers find that NDIS clients become some of their most loyal and consistent customers.

The key to success is understanding the different payment pathways, creating clear processes, and maintaining good communication with your clients or their plan managers. Why not start by accepting just one NDIS client and learning the system? You can always expand once you’re comfortable with the processes.

Ready to grow your business with NDIS clients? Start by creating your NDIS-specific invoice template today and contacting local disability support coordinators to inform them about your services. Also, you can contact My Mobile Plan Manager for more information related to NDIS services.

People also ask

An NDIS service agreement is a contractual document that formalises the relationship between participants and providers, detailing the terms of service delivery and payment. While not always mandatory, it serves as a critical tool for clarifying expectations, preventing disputes, and ensuring compliance with NDIS guidelines.

What Is a Service Agreement?

An NDIS service agreement is a written contract that specifies:

• Services provided: Cleaning, therapy, or other supports aligned with the participant’s goals.
• Financial terms: Hourly rates, travel costs, and payment timelines.
• Operational details: Scheduling, cancellation policies, and dispute resolution processes.

Unlike an NDIS plan, which outlines funded supports, the service agreement focuses on how those supports will be delivered. For example, a participant requiring weekly gardening services would detail the frequency, tasks, and rates in the agreement.

How Do You Know If You Need a Service Agreement?

Service agreements are recommended in most cases, but are essential for

1. Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA): Mandatory under NDIS rules.
2. GST-free services: Required by the Australian Tax Office (ATO).
3. Complex supports: Multi-service arrangements (e.g., combined cleaning and personal care).

Are Service Agreements Mandatory?

What Should Be in the Service Agreement?

Essential Components

1. Participant and provider details: Names, NDIS numbers, and contact information.
2. Scope of services: Specific tasks (e.g., “lawn mowing every fortnight”).
3. Pricing: Hourly rates aligned with NDIS Price Guides (e.g., $54.07/hour for cleaning).
4. Cancellation policies: Notice periods and fees (e.g., 48 hours’ notice for no charge).
5. Dispute resolution: Steps for raising complaints, including NDIS Commission contact details.

Legal Requirements

• Australian Consumer Law (ACL): Prohibits unfair terms and ensures service quality.
• NDIS Code of Conduct: Mandates cultural competence and incident reporting.

A Reddit user highlighted the risks of vague agreements after their invoice for cleaning was rejected because the task wasn’t explicitly listed.

How Do You Go About Making a Service Agreement?

Step-by-Step Process

1. Negotiate terms: Discuss services, rates, and schedules with the provider.
2. Use templates: Download NDIS-compliant templates from CareMaster or MyCareSpace.
3. Customise clauses: Add specifics like travel fees ($0.88/km) or minimum shift durations.
4. Review legally: Ensure compliance with the ACL and the NDIS Code of Conduct.
5. Sign and store: Both parties retain copies for reference.

For self-managed participants, tools like Lumary’s platform automate agreement creation with pre-loaded NDIS rates.

How Do I Use My Service Agreement?

1. Service bookings: Create bookings in the NDIS myplace portal to allocate funds.
2. Monitor compliance: Ensure providers adhere to agreed terms (e.g., no unauthorised charges).
3. Resolve disputes: Follow the agreement’s escalation process, involving the NDIS Commission if needed.

Example: A participant terminated an agreement immediately after documenting unsafe conditions, citing ACL violations.

How Do I Change My Service Agreement?

1. Negotiate amendments: Both parties must agree to changes (e.g., increased hours).
2. Update digitally: Modify service bookings in my place or through platforms like Lumary.
3. Formalise in writing: Sign a revised agreement to avoid conflicts.

Reddit users note that providers often require 2–4 weeks’ notice for changes to staffing or schedules.

What Should I Do If My Service Agreement Is Expiring?

1. Review goals: Assess whether services still align with NDIS plan objectives.
2. Renegotiate terms: Adjust supports, rates, or providers as needed.
3. Create a new agreement: Reflect updated needs (e.g., transitioning from gardening to home modifications).

Participants should track expiration dates and initiate reviews at least one month in advance.

What If I Need Help With This?

1. Support coordinators: Assist with drafting and negotiating terms.
2. NDIS Commission: Intervenes in disputes over unfair terms or safety concerns.
3. Legal aid: Provides free reviews of complex agreements.

Comparison between an NDIS Plan and a Service Agreement

Interested in Learning More?

Visit ndis.gov.au for official templates. Or contact My Mobile Plan Manager for more detailed information, as well as contacting Disability Advocacy Network Australia (DANA) for personalised support.

This guide combines NDIS policies, provider insights, and real-world case studies to empower participants and providers in creating effective, compliant service agreements. By prioritising clarity and legal safeguards, these contracts encourage trust and ensure the delivery of high-quality supports.

FAQs About NDIS Service Agreements