28/04/2025 How to Set NDIS Plan Goals: A Simple Guide
Want the right NDIS funding? Good goals make all the difference!
Have you ever sat down to write your NDIS goals and felt stuck? You’re not alone. Many people find it hard to put their needs and wants into words that will help them get the right funding.
This guide will help you create effective NDIS goals. By the end, you’ll be ready to write goals that help you get the support you need.
What Are NDIS Plan Goals?
NDIS plan goals are what you want to do with your NDIS funding. These goals show the NDIS what matters to you and what support you need.
Your goals go into your NDIS plan. The National Disability Insurance Scheme uses these goals to decide what funding to give you. Good goals focus on what you want in your life, not what others think you should do.
The right goals help you talk about your needs in a way that makes sense to the NDIS. They act as a bridge between what you want and the funding you need to make it happen.
Why Good NDIS Goals Matter
The goals in your NDIS plan do four big things. They help decide your funding by showing why you need certain support. Clear goals make it easier to track your progress and see if you’re moving forward.
Your goals also guide your support workers, so everyone knows what you’re working towards. When you have the right goals, you get the right help and better results.
People who write clear goals often get better support. Your goals tell everyone what you want in life and create a map for your NDIS journey.
SMART Goals: The Secret to Better NDIS Plans
The SMART method helps you write goals that get results. SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.
A Specific goal is clear about exactly what you want. A Measurable goal lets you tell when you’ve reached it. An Achievable goal is possible to do with the right support. A Relevant goal is important to your life. A Time-bound goal has a time frame.
Let’s see the difference: “I want to be more social” is not a SMART goal. A SMART version would be, “I want to join a weekly community group and make two new friends in the next six months.”
The SMART goal makes it clear what support you need and how to tell if you’re making progress. It gives the NDIS a better picture of what matters to you.
Real NDIS Goal Examples You Can Use
Here are some goals that might give you ideas for your plan. For daily living, you might set a goal like “I want to learn to cook five simple meals by myself in the next six months.” This shows what skill you want to build and when you want to do it by.
A social goal could be “I want to join a community art class and talk to at least one new person each week.” This goal shows both what you want to do and how you’ll know if you’re making progress.
If work is important to you, you might set a goal like “I want to find a part-time job in a shop within 12 months with the right job support.” This tells the NDIS what help you need to reach your work goals.
For getting around, a goal might be “I want to learn to use the bus to get to my weekly activities by December.” And for housing, you might write, “I want to move into my place with drop-in support within two years.”
These examples cover different parts of life that the NDIS can help with. You can use them as starting points for your own goals.
Short-Term vs. Long-Term NDIS Goals
Your NDIS plan can have both short-term and long-term goals. Here’s how they differ:
| Short-Term Goals | Long-Term Goals |
| Things you want to do within a year | Big life goals that take years |
| Small steps that build to bigger goals | Often about where you want to live or work |
| Often focus on learning new skills | Need many small steps to reach |
| Very clear and detailed | More general ideas |
| Show quick progress | Set your life direction |
Short-term example: “I want to learn to use the bus to get to the library by myself within 6 months.”
Long-term example: “I want to move into my own home with the right supports within two years.”
Both types help create a good NDIS plan. Your Local Area Coordinator can help you decide which to include.
NDIS Goal Examples You Can Use
Here are some NDIS goal examples to help you start thinking about your own goals:
- “I want to learn how to cook three simple meals by myself in the next six months.”
- “I want to join a community group and make two new friends this year.”
- “I want to find a part-time job in retail within the next 12 months.”
- “I want to learn how to use public transport to get to my weekly activities.”
- “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:
How to Write Your Own NDIS Goals: Step by Step
Follow these steps to create goals that work for you:
1. Think About What Matters Most
Ask yourself, “What would make my life better?” Make a list of your answers.
2. Pick What You Want to Change
Look at your list and choose the most important things you want to work on.
3. Break Big Goals into Small Steps
For each big goal, list the smaller steps you need to take.
4. Make Your Goals SMART
Use the SMART method to make each goal clear and strong.
5. Use Your Own Words
Write goals in a way that makes sense to you.
6. Focus on What You Want
Think about the life you want, not just what you need help with.
7. Mix Daily Goals with Life Goals
Include both small daily goals and bigger life dreams.
Remember: Your goals should show what YOU want, not what others think you should do.
People Who Can Help You Set Goals
You don’t have to set goals alone. These people can help:
- Family members or friends who know you well
- NDIS support coordinators who understand the system
- Local Area Coordinators (LACs) who help with planning
- Disability service providers who know what’s possible
- NDIS plan reviewers who can give feedback
They can help you think about what you want and how to write goals that get you there.
How to Track Your Progress
Once you have your NDIS plan, keep track of how you’re doing. Keep a simple journal of the steps you take towards your goals. Talk with your support workers about your progress and what’s working or not working.
Take photos or videos to show what you’ve learned or how things have changed. Update your support coordinator regularly about your progress.
Tracking helps when it’s time for your plan review. It shows what you’ve done and what you still need help with. It also helps you see how far you’ve come, which can feel good and keep you moving forward.
NDIS Goal Myths vs. Facts
Let’s clear up some wrong ideas about NDIS goals:
Myth: “NDIS only funds basic needs.”
Fact: NDIS can fund many things that make your life better, not just basic needs.
Myth: “You need a professional to write your goals.”
Fact: While help is good, your words and wishes matter most.
Myth: “All NDIS plans have the same goals.”
Fact: NDIS goals are different for each person based on what they want.
Myth: “Once you have a plan, you can’t change direction.”
Fact: You can try different ways to reach your goals during your plan.
Getting Ready for Your NDIS Planning Meeting
Before your meeting, write down your goals and bring them with you. Also, bring examples of what works and doesn’t work for you now. This helps the planner understand your life.
Ask someone you trust to come with you to the meeting. They can help you remember things and speak up if needed. Bring any reports from doctors or therapists that show your needs.
Make a list of questions you want to ask so you don’t forget anything important. Being ready for your meeting helps you get a plan that works for you.
NDIS Goals for Different Life Areas
Your goals can cover many parts of your life. For daily living, you might want to learn to cook meals, get dressed by yourself, manage money, or keep your home clean.
Social life goals could include making new friends, joining community groups, going to social events, or building better family relationships.
Work and study goals might focus on finding a job, learning work skills, starting a course, or finishing school. Health goals could involve starting an exercise plan, learning to manage health needs, trying new therapies, or reducing stress.
Housing goals often look at moving to your own home, finding the right housemates, making your home more accessible, or learning to live more on your own.
Your NDIS plan can include goals from any or all of these areas. The key is to focus on what matters most to you right now.
Next Steps After Setting Your Goals
Once you have your goals, share them with your support team so everyone knows what you’re working towards. Break each goal into small steps that you can work on one at a time.
Decide which goals to work on first. You don’t have to do everything at once. Find services that can help with each goal and start working towards them.
Check your progress often to see what’s working and what needs to change. And don’t forget to celebrate when you reach a goal! Taking time to feel good about what you’ve done helps keep you going.
Your NDIS Plan Goals Are Your Life Choices
Your NDIS plan goals are about YOUR life and what YOU want. Take time to think about what matters to you. Don’t rush this step or let others tell you what your goals should be.
Good goals lead to good support. And good support helps you live the life you choose. The effort you put into setting clear goals now will pay off in a plan that works better for you.
Are you ready to set your NDIS goals? Start by making a list of what would make your life better. Then use this guide to turn your ideas into SMART goals that will help you get the funding you need.
Do you have questions about setting NDIS goals? What parts of goal setting do you find hard? My Mobile Plan Manager is Here. Share with us or Contact Us!