If you are reading this, you might be feeling a mix of emotions. Maybe you have just received confirmation that you are eligible for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). Or perhaps you are a parent, a carer, or someone with a disability looking for support, and you have been told you need to attend an “NDIS interview” or “planning meeting”.

NDIS Interview Questions and Answers: A Beginner’s Guide to Your First Planning Meeting

It is completely normal to feel a little overwhelmed. Words like “funding”, “supports”, and “plan management” can sound confusing when you are just trying to figure out how to get help with daily life.

The good news? The NDIS is designed to help you, and the interview is not a test. It is a conversation.

In this guide, we will walk you through the most common NDIS interview questions and answers. We will explain everything in simple English, using real-life examples so you know exactly what to expect. By the end, you will feel confident and prepared to talk about your goals and the support you need.

NDIS Funding Explained: 7 Key Things Every Beginner Must Know (2026)

What is an NDIS interview?

Before we dive into the questions, let’s clear up what the “interview” actually is.

Officially, it is called an NDIS Planning Meeting. You will meet with an NDIS planner or a Local Area Coordinator (LAC). Their job is not to judge you but to listen to you. They need to understand your life so they can create a plan that gives you the right amount of funding.

Think of it like this: you are the expert on your life. The planner is the expert on the NDIS rules. Together, you build a plan that works for you.

Before You Start: The “Interview” Mindset

Walking into a room (or logging into a video call) and talking about your struggles can be hard. You might feel like you have to “prove” you need help.

Remember:

• You belong here: If you are eligible, you have the right to support.
• Be honest: if you need help getting dressed, cooking, or leaving the house, say so. The planner needs to know the truth to help you.
• It’s a conversation: you can ask questions too. If you don’t understand a word they use, ask them to explain it.

Part 1: Common NDIS Interview Questions and Answers

Here are the most common questions you will be asked. We have provided examples of how to answer them based on different situations.

1. “Tell me about your daily life. What does a typical day look like? ”

This is usually the first question. The planner wants to understand your routine to see where you need support.

Why they ask this:
They are looking for gaps. If you can’t do something safely or independently, the NDIS can fund support to help.

How to answer:
Walk them through your day from morning to night.

Example (Participant with physical disability):
“Well, I wake up around 7:00 AM. I need help getting out of bed and into my shower chair because I have limited strength in my legs. My wife usually helps me, but she leaves for work at 8:00 AM. After that, I can make toast, but I struggle to cut up fruit for breakfast safely. I usually wait until my support worker comes at 11:00 AM to help me with lunch and physio exercises.”

Example (Parent of a child with Autism):
“Mornings are very difficult. My son, Leo, is 7. He struggles to transition from sleep to waking up. Getting him dressed often takes an hour and involves a lot of sensory distress. I usually have to miss the start of my own workday to get him calm enough to go to school.”

2. “What are your goals? ”

This is one of the most important questions. Your NDIS funding is based on your goals.

Why they ask this:
The NDIS is about building your capacity (skills) and independence. Your goals tell the planner what you want to achieve so they can fund the support to get you there.

How to answer:
Think about short-term goals (next 12 months) and long-term goals (2-5 years). Be specific.

Bad Answer: “I want to be more independent.”
Good Answer: “I want to be able to cook a simple meal by myself so I don’t have to rely on takeaway when my support worker isn’t here. To do that, I need to work on my fine motor skills and learn about kitchen safety.”

Other examples:

• Social/Community: “I want to join a local soccer club to make friends on the weekend.”
• Employment: “I want to find a part-time job in retail. I need help with resume writing and practising interview skills.”
• Health/Wellbeing: “I want to learn to use public transport so I can visit my grandmother without needing a family member to drive me.”

3. “What support do you currently receive? ”

The NDIS is designed to work alongside the health system, not replace it. They need to know who else is helping you.

How to answer:
List any support you get from:

• Family: “My mum helps me with my finances and takes me to medical appointments.”
• Health System: “I see a physiotherapist at the public hospital every month.”
• School/Work: “The school provides a teacher’s aide for two hours a day.”

Important: Tell them if your family is struggling to provide this support. If your mum is exhausted and her back hurts from lifting you, that is important information. It means you need more funded support to give your family a break (respite).

4. “What assistive technology (AT) do you use? ”

Assistive technology is equipment that helps you do things.

How to answer:
List everything, even if you bought it yourself.
“I have a walking stick, but I find it hard to use when I carry groceries. I also use a shower stool and a special knife to help me chop vegetables.”

5. “What would a good week look like for you?”

This is a fantastic question because it allows you to dream a little. It helps the planner understand your vision for a better life.

How to answer:
Describe your ideal week.

Example:
“In a good week, I would have a support worker come three times a week for two hours. On Monday, we would go grocery shopping together so I can learn to choose healthy food. On Wednesday, we would go to the park to practise walking with my new crutches. On Friday, I would like them to help me clean the bathroom, which is very hard for me to do alone. In a really good week, I would have one evening where I go to a board game club to meet people.”

Part 2: Understanding the “Boring” but Important Stuff

During your interview, the planner might use specific terms. Here is a simple breakdown of what they mean.

What are NDIS support categories?

Your funding will be split into three main budgets. Understanding these helps you know what you can spend your money on.

Pro Tip: If you are asked, “Do you want agency managed or plan managed? ”Don’t panic.”

• Agency Managed: The NDIA pays your providers for you. You can only use registered providers.
• Plan Managed: A plan manager pays your providers for you. You can use registered and non-registered providers (often giving you more choice).
• Self-Managed: You pay your providers and claim the money back from the NDIS. It gives the most control but also the most paperwork.

Most beginners find plan management to be the easiest option because it gives them freedom without the headache of handling all the paperwork themselves.

Part 3: Real-Life Scenarios

Sometimes it helps to see how these questions play out in real life. Let’s look at two different people and how they answered their interview questions.

Scenario 1: Sarah, 45, Living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

Sarah lives alone. Her MS means she has good days and bad days. She has a part-time job but is worried she won’t be able to keep it if she doesn’t get help.

Planner: “Sarah, tell me about a bad day.”
Sarah: “On a bad day, my legs feel like jelly. I struggle to walk from my bedroom to the kitchen. I usually skip breakfast because I’m too tired to stand and cook. Getting to work is stressful because I’m scared of falling on the bus.”

Planner: “What support would help you keep your job? ”
Sarah: “I need help with transport. If I had a support worker to drive me to work on the days I feel weak, I could keep working. I also think I need an OT [occupational therapist] to look at my kitchen and suggest better tools so I can cook safely sitting down.”

Result:
Sarah received funding in her core budget for transport and a support worker to help with mornings. She received funding in her capacity-building budget for an occupational therapist (OT) to assess her home safety and recommend equipment.

Scenario 2: The Lee Family – Parents of Mia, 10, with Autism

Mia is a bright girl, but she has high anxiety. The family is struggling with after-school meltdowns.

Planner: “What does a typical afternoon look like for Mia? ”
Mum: “School is exhausting for her. She holds it together all day. As soon as she gets home, she has a ‘meltdown’. She screams and throws things, and it takes about two hours to calm her down. I can’t cook dinner during that time because I have to sit with her. My husband works late, so I’m doing it all alone.”

Planner: “What is a goal you have for Mia?”
Mum: “We want to be able to have a calm dinner together as a family. We want her to learn strategies to regulate her emotions after school so she doesn’t feel so overwhelmed.”

Result:
The family received funding for Behavioural Support (a specialist to create a calming plan) and Therapeutic Support (Occupational Therapy to work on emotional regulation). They also received Core Support funding for a support worker to come to the house for two hours after school, allowing Mum to cook dinner and take a break while Mia engages in calming activities with a trained worker.

Part 4: What Happens After the Interview?

Once the interview is over, you might feel a mix of relief and anxiety. Here is what happens next.

1. The Plan is Written: The planner takes all your answers and builds a plan. This can take a few days to a few weeks.
2. You Receive Your Plan: You will get a document called your NDIS Plan. It lists your goals and the funding in your three budgets (Core, Capacity Building, and Capital).
3. Check Your Plan: When you get it, read it carefully.
   • Does the funding look enough to achieve your goals?
   • Are the goals written correctly?
   • If something is wrong, ask for a plan review immediately. Do not wait.
4. Start Using Your Plan: This is where you find providers (like support workers, therapists, or plan managers) to start helping you.

5 Tips to Prepare for Your NDIS Interview

1. Write It Down: Don’t rely on memory. Write down your daily struggles and your goals on a piece of paper. Bring it with you. It is okay to read from it.
2. Bring Evidence: If you have reports from doctors, occupational therapists, or psychologists, bring them. They help “prove” your needs with medical evidence.
3. Take a Support Person: You can bring a family member, friend, or advocate. They can help you remember things and speak up if you forget something.
4. Focus on Function: The NDIS cares about how your disability affects your daily life. Instead of saying “I have anxiety”, say “My anxiety makes it impossible for me to stand in a queue at the supermarket, so I cannot buy food by myself.”
5. Be Specific About Time: If you need a support worker for 4 hours a week to clean, say “I need 4 hours a week for cleaning.” If you need 2 hours for physio, say “I need 2 hours a week with a physio.”

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Can I be denied funding if I don’t answer well?
A: Not really. The interview is about gathering information. However, if you don’t clearly explain your needs, you might receive less funding than you require. Preparation is key.

Q: What if English isn’t my first language?
A: You can request a free interpreter when you book your meeting. The NDIS must provide one at no cost to you.

Q: What if I don’t agree with my plan?
A: You have the right to request an internal review of the decision. Contact the NDIS immediately to ask for a “plan review” if you feel the funding is not enough to meet your goals.

Conclusion: You’ve Got This

Understanding NDIS interview questions and answers is the first step toward getting the support you deserve. It might seem daunting now, but remember that every NDIS participant started exactly where you are today: a little confused, a little hopeful, and just looking for help to live a better life.

The key takeaways are simple:

1. Be honest about your struggles and your dreams.
2. Be prepared with notes and evidence.
3. Ask questions if you don’t understand something.
4. Remember that this is your plan, and it is designed to help you.

By taking the time to prepare for your planning meeting, you are setting yourself up for success. You are not just filling out forms; you are building a roadmap to a more independent and fulfilling life.

Feeling ready to take the next step? There is a lot to learn, but you don’t have to do it alone.

Start Understanding Your Options Today

Now that you know what to expect in your interview, you might want to learn more about what happens next. Understanding how to manage your funds is just as important as getting them.

• Read our guide on how to apply for NDIS: if you haven’t started the process yet, ensure you meet the criteria.
• Learn about NDIS eligibility requirements: make sure you have all the necessary documentation.
• Discover the difference between support coordination and plan management: learn how to make your budget work for you.

Your journey with the NDIS is a learning process. Take it one step at a time, and soon, you will be an expert in your own support network. Good luck