Checking for some common NDIS mistakes to avoid them?
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is meant to help Australians living with disability achieve more independence, connection, and control over their lives. But as many NDIS participants quickly realise, navigating the system can be confusing, frustrating, and full of hidden traps.
Sadly, too many people make common NDIS mistakes that lead to lost funding, inadequate support, and missed opportunities to live their best lives.
At Re.Connect Support Services, we’ve worked with countless participants, and we know exactly where people go wrong. In this complete guide, we break down the most frequent mistakes — and more importantly, how to avoid them — so that you can make the most of your NDIS journey with confidence and support.
Why Avoiding Common NDIS Mistakes Matters
Making mistakes with the national disability insurance scheme NDIS can have a huge impact on your daily life, well-being, and future opportunities.
From mismanaging funding to choosing the wrong service providers, even small errors can snowball into bigger problems that affect services provided, capacity building supports, best outcomes and your goals.
The good news? You don’t have to figure it out alone.
With the right help, knowledge, and ongoing support and coordination, you can avoid the traps and get the most out of your plan — without all the stress.
Top 25+ Common NDIS Mistakes to Avoid
1. Not Understanding Your NDIS Plan
Many participants don’t fully understand their NDIS plan — including ndis funding, what supports provided are available, how to use core supports provided or capacity building for supports provided, and what limitations exist.
👉 Solution: Sit down with a support coordinator or plan manager to review your plan line by line. Don’t be afraid to ask questions until you feel confident.
2. Not Preparing for Planning Meetings
NDIS planning meetings are a crucial role, but many people arrive without a clear idea of what they need.
💡 Tip: Make a list of your personal needs, goals, challenges, and current supports. If you’re not sure what to say, seek guidance from an expert who can help you plan ahead.
3. Leaving Funding Unused (Inadequate Utilisation)
Many participants don’t use all of their NDIS funding, often because they don’t know what’s available or feel overwhelmed.
Remember: Unused ndis funding won’t roll over — and you might miss out on crucial services.
💬 Ask yourself:
- Are there supports I’ve been putting off?
- Could I benefit from therapy, equipment, or assistive technologies?
4. Using Funds for Non-Approved Items
Spending money on items that aren’t covered under NDIS rules is a serious mistake that can lead to repayment demands.
🎯 Key Advice: Always check what’s considered reasonable and necessary and NDIS-approved, or seek advice from your support coordinator or plan manager.
5. Choosing Unregistered Providers Without Checking
While you can use some unregistered providers, working with registered NDIS providers often gives greater NDIS quality assurance.
⚠️ Warning: Be cautious and always have a service agreement in place — especially if using non-registered providers.
6. Not Knowing Plan Management Options
Do you know whether your plan is self-managed, plan-managed, or NDIA-managed? If not, you may be missing out on flexibility or convenience.
💡 Understanding plan management options helps you tailor your funding to your lifestyle. Seek guidance to explore your best option.
7. Not Asking for Support
Trying to handle everything yourself? You don’t have to! Support coordinators are there to help with service delivery, finding providers, and reviewing goals.
8. Poor Record-Keeping
Reviews failing? Without proper receipts and records, you might struggle to explain spending during NDIS reviews failing.
📑 Tip: Keep an organised digital file of all invoices, service agreements, and reports.
9. Not Using Capacity Building Supports
People often ignore capacity building supports, which can fund vital services like therapy, skill-building, or employment coaching.
🚀 Think Big: What skills do you want to build this year? Let’s plan for them!
10. Sticking with the Wrong Provider
If you’re not happy, change providers. You deserve quality services provided by people who respect you, on the same page, and align with your goals.
11. Not Joining Support Groups
Connecting with other NDIS participants offers a broad range of insights and emotional support.
👥 Tip: Attend workshops, events, and support groups to stay informed and share experiences.
12. Missing Out on Assistive Technologies
From wheelchairs to communication devices, assistive technologies can transform lives — yet many people don’t apply.
🦽 Ask: “What tech would help me live more independently?”
13. Not Reviewing Plans Regularly
Your plan should evolve with you. Regularly reviewing your supports means you’ll get help that reflects your changing needs.
14. Avoiding Appeals
If a decision doesn’t make sense, seek advice to appeal or request a plan review.
15. Not Knowing About Price Limits
Know the NDIS price limits to avoid overpaying.
💰 Tip: Check the NDIS website or talk to us to understand current price caps.
16. Ignoring Safeguards and Standards
Only work with providers that meet NDIS standards and Safeguards Commission requirements.
17. Thinking Therapy Is Only Physical
Capacity building funds things like social skill-building, counselling, and behavioural supports.
18. Not Speaking Up in Planning Meetings
Be clear about what the specific supports you need. Effective communication is key to getting the right supports.
19. Vague or Missing Goals
Set clear, measurable goals for better funding outcomes.
🎯 Example: Instead of “I want to get out more,” say “I want to join a community group once a week.”
20. Forgetting Family and Carer Supports
Carers often need their own help — from their support coordination to respite care to support plans to training.
21. Not Monitoring Service Agreements
Your service agreements should reflect what you’re actually getting. Review them regularly to ensure services delivered match the agreement.
22. Not Requesting Check-ins
Ask for regular check-ins from providers to make sure the support still fits.
23. Not Being Assertive About Needs
Don’t settle for less — advocate for yourself. Providers should actively listen and adjust service delivery when necessary.
24. Not Understanding How Funding Is Allocated
Mixing up the wrong funding categories is a common mistake. Know what’s covered under core supports vs. capacity building specific supports. Make use of your NDIS for the understanding how your funds are allocated. These will also help you mixing the funds on the wrong funding categories.
25. Thinking You Can’t Fix Mistakes
Mistakes happen — but you can fix them! Whether it’s getting funding adjusted or changing a provider, Re.Connect can help.
Bonus: How to Stay Informed and Avoid Future NDIS Mistakes
Staying updated and informed about your NDIS plan and the NDIS system is just as important as getting it right the first time. The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is constantly evolving with new guidelines, policy updates, funding changes, and provider standards.
Even experienced NDIS participants can feel overwhelmed trying to keep up. That’s why taking proactive steps to stay informed can help you avoid future mistakes and make the most of your NDIS plan.
Here are a few things practical ways to stay on top of your NDIS journey and avoid common mistakes:
Regularly Visit the NDIS Website
The NDIS official website (www.ndis.gov.au) is the most reliable and up-to-date source of information for anything related to the scheme.
From funding updates, price guides, and new service categories, to information about NDIS reviews, planning meetings, and assistive technologies, the site provides a broad range of resources for both participants and service providers everywhere.
💡 Pro Tip: Set a monthly reminder to check for updates, especially if you are about to attend a planning meeting or review.
Subscribe to NDIS Newsletters and Alerts
Many NDIS registered providers, including plan managers and support coordinators, offer email newsletters that deliver important updates straight to your inbox.
By subscribing to both the NDIS newsletter and your provider’s updates, you can stay informed about:
- Policy changes affecting funding categories and price limits
- New services provided that you may be eligible for
- Workshops and training in your local area
- Opportunities to attend workshops for better understanding of the system
✅ Tip: Also subscribe to updates from the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission to learn about new provider standards and participant protections.
Join Support Groups and Peer Networks
Learning from other NDIS participants can offer real-life advice and emotional support that formal sources may miss.
Joining local or online support groups helps you:
- Hear about services delivered by trusted providers
- Get recommendations on service agreements and plan management strategies
- Learn how other participants manage their reviews and planning meetings
- Understand how people avoid human error in their own journeys
🤝 Consider joining:
- Local disability organisations’ peer groups
- Facebook groups for NDIS participants in Australia
- Forums run by advocacy organisations
Work Closely with Your Support Coordinator
Your support coordinator is your personal guide through the NDIS system. They can help you stay informed about:
- Changes in services provided or available supports
- How to adapt to evolving needs
- When and how to request plan reviews or adjustments
- Understanding plan management options that suit your lifestyle
- Ensuring service agreements reflect what you actually need
📲 Stay in regular contact and don’t wait until something goes wrong to reach out!
Attend Workshops, Webinars, and Information Sessions
Many other providers, NDIS providers and advocacy groups offer free workshops and online webinars on topics like:
- Understanding core supports and capacity building supports
- How to prepare for NDIS planning meetings and reviews
- Choosing between registered NDIS providers and unregistered ones
- Managing service agreements and avoiding mistakes with service delivery
These sessions are a great way to ask questions, meet experts, and hear tips from other participants.
🎓 Tip: Look out for workshops that focus on assistive technologies, support coordination, and goal-setting strategies for specific disabilities or age groups.
Regularly Review Your Service Agreements and Provider Performance
As your needs change, services provided may need to change too.
Set a regular schedule (e.g., every 3–6 months) to review:
- Whether your service providers are still a good fit
- If the services delivered match what you agreed to in writing
- Whether you need to change providers to get better ongoing support
- If there are new registered providers offering more relevant services
📑 Key Tip: Keep your service agreements up to date and aligned with your personal needs and goals.
Schedule Regular Plan Reviews — Even Outside the Official Cycle
Although NDIS plans are often set for a specific period (e.g., 12 months), your situation may change before then.
Don’t wait until your next official review if:
- You develop new personal needs
- Your condition changes
- You want to explore new capacity building supports or assistive technologies
- You are not happy with services delivered
A support coordinator can help you with support plans and request a review at any time to adjust your supports.
Build a Trusted Team Around You
Surrounding yourself with NDIS experts can make a world of difference. This team can include:
- A Support Coordinator for daily management and goal tracking
- A Plan Manager for handling finances and claims
- Trusted registered providers for delivering high-quality, relevant services
- Peer mentors and support groups for emotional support and shared experiences
✅ With the right team, you’ll avoid costly mistakes and feel more confident in making decisions.
Set Reminders for Important NDIS Dates
It’s easy to miss NDIS planning meetings, reviews, or reporting deadlines. Setting digital calendar reminders can help you:
- Prepare for plan reviews
- Track when service agreements need renewing
- Stay on top of NDIS reviews and capacity building funding allocations
📅 Bonus Tip: Share your reminder calendar with your support coordinator so they can assist in preparation.
Stay Engaged in Your NDIS Journey
Lastly, stay actively involved in your NDIS journey. The more engaged you are, the more control and confidence you’ll gain in managing your supports.
👀 Actively listen during meetings, ask questions, and remember — you are the expert of your own life.
Ready to Make the Most of Your NDIS Journey?
Avoiding these common mistakes and NDIS mistakes doesn’t just save you time — it makes your plan work for you and and makes you NDIS experience better.
If you’re ready to get personalised, expert support, Re.Connect Support Services is here to walk beside you. Whether you need help with planning meetings, a deeper understanding of funding categories, or navigating complex NDIS processes, we’ve got your back.
