The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) offers a pathway to greater independence, inclusion, and quality of life for millions of Australians living with a disability. However, realizing the full potential of the NDIS requires careful planning and NDIS goal setting, tailored to each person's unique needs and aspirations.

This is where Caring Humans come in. Our team is dedicated to supporting you in setting sensible NDIS goals that align with your individual journey. We understand that everyone is different, and we will work with you to create goals that are achievable and meaningful to you.

What are NDIS Goals and their importance?

The objectives that you set for yourself under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) are commonly referred to as NDIS goals. These goals are an essential component of your NDIS plan and are developed in collaboration with your local support coordinator before being approved at your planning session.

By defining your NDIS goals, the NDIS gains a better understanding of your disability, how it affects your daily life, and what motivates you to achieve your best.

It is important to think about your priorities carefully so that you can define your goals clearly and without any confusion. Creating a list of your objectives can help you identify your strengths and limitations, inspiring you to take risks and work towards a future filled with joy and fulfilment.

It is essential to note that while there is no limit to the number of goals you can have, you must have at least one. Without at least one goal, the NDIA cannot proceed with the planning stage.

Your NDIS goals can focus on physical, social, or independence-related outcomes and can be short-term, medium-term, or long-term, depending on your needs.

Qualities of Excellent NDIS Goal Setting

Every participant has distinct goals, and your own NDIS goals will depend on your circumstances. Several qualities make an excellent NDIS goal; let's look at what they are.

Outcome-oriented- An excellent NDIS objective is more concerned with the result than the process of getting there. Instead of focusing on the services you require, consider the goals you want to achieve in life with the help of the NDIS. For instance, "to play sports more confidently" is a goal that is more outcome-oriented than "to learn sports."

Flexibility- If you keep your goals general and focused on a subject rather than a specific thing, you can assign numerous supports to a goal. For instance, "to learn how to speak successfully in front of the public" offers greater flexibility than "to learn an art or skill.’’ You might have some ideas about how you want to achieve your goals, but circumstances change, and that's okay. Just adapt and move forward.

Personal Ambitions- The best NDIS goals are those that meet your unique needs. The goals that allow you to achieve your desired outcomes are the best.

Opportunities for Improvement- Consider aspects of life that you would like to develop, such as "I want to enhance my communication skills" or "I want to get out and engage in social activities."

Self-motivation- It can be hard to motivate yourself sometimes, especially when you don't feel like you're making any progress. But if you're working towards a goal, you will find yourself getting excited and motivated to keep going. Good NDIS goals are those that keep you motivated.

NDIS Goals Examples-

Now that you've had a chance to think, it's time to write down some goals before NDIS Goal Setting!

Your goals should be SMART, which means they should be Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound, according to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

Depending on your desires, these goals could be short-term, medium-term, or long-term. As you go through life, keep in mind that your circumstances and priorities may change. Therefore, before each planning meeting, it is crucial to discuss your goals and priorities with your support coordinator.

Here are some examples of goals that you could set:

Building and maintaining relationships

Developing skills to live more independently and confidently

Learning a new hobby or skill

Improve mental health and overall well being

Improving your physical well-being

Finding employment or training opportunities

Feeling self-assured enough to travel

Improving your flexibility

Participating in social activities and having fun.

Types of NDIS Goals-

There are three types of NDIS (National Disability Insurance Scheme) goals: short-term, medium-term, and long-term.

Short-term NDIS goals are typically things that can be accomplished within a year. These goals are focused on immediate needs. For example, a short-term goal might be to learn how to use a wheelchair or to start attending a weekly support group.

Medium-term NDIS goals are usually things that one can accomplish within two to five years. These goals are focused on improving the lives of people with disabilities in the short and long term. These goals might include getting employment, improving access to services, or increasing independence. For example, a medium-term goal might be to find a job or to move into supported accommodation.

Long-term NDIS goals are typically things that will take five years or more to accomplish. They may focus on bigger-picture items like financial security, independence, or community involvement. These goals are focused on improving the lives of people with disabilities in the long term. Longer-term goals could include living a fully independent life or getting into your own accommodation.

Once the NDIS goals have been set, what is the next step?

Congratulations on determining your NDIS goals! Your Local Area Coordinator (LAC) or planner will guide you through the next steps and advise on the timeline for plan approval. The number of meetings required to finalize your plan varies depending on individual circumstances.

Once your plan is approved by the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA), your LAC or NDIA planner will arrange to provide you with a physical copy. You will then need to select an option for managing your funding: self-managed, plan-managed, or NDIA-managed. Once you have received funding from NDIS, you would need to find a good NDIS service provider who understands your goals and make a support plan to achieve those goals. You might need to engage with a few different service providers depending on your circumstances.

Discover Your NDIS Goals with Compassionate Support from Caring Humans

Our team of specialists can assist you in identifying your NDIS goals and prepare you for your planning meeting. We will also provide you with valuable insights on what to anticipate during your appointment and offer guidance on how you can maximize your time there.

Get in touch with us today to begin your journey!