When your NDIS plan review approaches, securing ongoing funding for your smart home technology and assistive technology (AT) requires preparation. Here's how to build a strong case for continued and expanded funding.
Why Plan Reviews Matter for AT Funding
Your NDIS plan has a set duration — typically 12 months. At review, the NDIS assesses:
- Whether current supports are still needed
- What's working well and what isn't
- What new supports might be needed
- Whether funding levels remain appropriate
For smart home technology and AT users, the review determines whether your existing technology stays funded and whether you can access new technology.
Start Preparing Early
Don't Wait Until Review Time
Begin gathering evidence throughout your plan period, not just before review:
Document outcomes as they happen
- Note when technology enables independence
- Track support worker hours reduced
- Record safety improvements
- Capture participant feedback and satisfaction
Keep technology records current
- Update maintenance and repair logs
- Record any issues and resolutions
- Note any changes in needs or usage
- Track warranty and replacement timing
Starting early means you have rich evidence ready when review time arrives.
Evidence That Strengthens Your Case
1. Outcome Documentation
The strongest evidence shows what your technology enables you to do:
Independence gains
- What can you do now that you couldn't before?
- Which tasks no longer require support worker assistance?
- How has your autonomy increased?
Example: "Since the voice control system was installed in March, I can independently manage lighting, temperature, and door access. I no longer need support worker assistance for these tasks, reducing my support needs by approximately 4 hours per week."
2. Support Hour Reduction
Quantify how technology reduces reliance on human supports:
Before technology: List specific tasks requiring support worker assistance After technology: Show which tasks you now manage independently Calculate savings: Hours reduced × hourly rate × time period
This demonstrates cost-effectiveness — a key NDIS consideration.
3. Safety Improvements
Document how technology improves your safety:
Incidents prevented
- Falls avoided through automated lighting
- Lockouts prevented through smart locks
- Missed deliveries or visitors reduced
- Emergency response improved
Risk reduction
- What safety risks existed before?
- How has technology addressed these?
- What would happen without the technology?
4. Goal Achievement
Link technology to your NDIS plan goals:
- Which goals has the technology helped you achieve?
- What progress have you made?
- What goals remain that technology could support?
This shows the technology is purposeful and goal-aligned.
5. Usage Evidence
Show the technology is being used as intended:
- Daily usage patterns
- Which features are most valuable
- Any features not used and why
- How usage has evolved over time
This confirms the technology is relevant and effective.
Documentation to Gather
From Your OT
Ask your OT to prepare:
Updated assessment
- Current functional status
- Whether needs have changed
- Ongoing technology requirements
- Recommendations for continued or new funding
Outcome evidence
- Documented independence gains
- Support hour reduction analysis
- Safety improvement assessment
For guidance on OT assessments, see: OT Assessments: What to Expect
From Your Provider
Ask your provider to provide:
Technology performance report
- How well technology is working
- Any issues encountered
- Maintenance performed
- Replacement recommendations if needed
Usage and outcome data
- How technology has been used
- Participant feedback
- Support reduction achieved
At Innogreen, we provide participants with documentation supporting their plan reviews, including technology performance and outcome information.
From Your Support Coordinator
Your support coordinator can help:
Compile evidence — Gather documentation from all sources Analyse outcomes — Quantify benefits and savings Prepare application — Structure evidence effectively Advocate for you — Present your case clearly
For more on support coordinators, see: What Does a Support Coordinator Do?
From Yourself
Your voice matters most:
Keep a journal
- Record examples of independence
- Note specific benefits experienced
- Document challenges the technology solves
- Capture your satisfaction and feedback
Collect statements
- Family observations
- Support worker feedback
- Specific examples of positive impact
Common Funding Questions at Review
"Is the technology still needed?"
Strengthen your case by showing:
- Current functional impairments persist
- Technology continues to address these
- Independence gained would be lost without it
- Support needs would increase without it
"Has anything changed?"
Be clear about:
- What's improved and what hasn't
- New needs that have emerged
- Technology that's working well
- Any issues requiring attention
"Is new or additional funding needed?"
Justify new requests by:
- Documenting changed needs
- Showing gaps in current supports
- Providing OT assessment supporting new technology
- Demonstrating cost-effectiveness
Preparing Your Review Submission
Structure Your Evidence
1. Current situation
- Your disability and functional impairments
- Current technology and supports
- How well they're working
2. Outcomes achieved
- Independence gains
- Support hour reductions
- Safety improvements
- Goal progress
3. Ongoing needs
- Why current technology must continue
- What's changed since last review
- Any new needs identified
4. Future considerations
- Upcoming technology replacements
- Anticipated need changes
- Long-term support planning
Include Supporting Documentation
- OT assessment and recommendations
- Provider reports and outcome data
- Evidence of support hour reduction
- Examples of independence and safety gains
- Your personal statements and feedback
What If Funding Is Reduced or Removed?
If your review results in reduced or removed AT funding:
Understand the Decision
Request details about:
- Why the decision was made
- What evidence was considered
- What would change the decision
Seek Review
You have the right to:
- Request a review of the decision
- Provide additional evidence
- Access advocacy support
For guidance on appealing decisions, see: How to Appeal an NDIS Decision
Get Support
- Contact your support coordinator
- Access advocacy services
- Speak with your OT about strengthening evidence
- Work with your provider on documentation
Strategic Timing Tips
Submit Early
Allow time for:
- Gathering comprehensive evidence
- OT assessment completion
- Provider documentation preparation
- Support coordinator review
Plan Around Technology Lifecycle
Consider:
- When current technology may need replacement
- Warranty expiry timing
- Anticipated changes in needs
- Future technology requirements
For budgeting strategies, see: Budgeting for Smart Home Technology
Innogreen Support for Plan Reviews
At Innogreen, we support our participants through plan reviews by:
- Providing technology performance reports — Documenting how technology works
- Supplying outcome evidence — Showing independence and safety gains
- Collaborating with OTs — Supporting functional justification
- Preparing maintenance records — Demonstrating ongoing value
- Advising on future needs — Identifying upcoming requirements
Key Takeaways
-
Start preparing early — Gather evidence throughout your plan period
-
Document outcomes — Show what technology enables you to do
-
Quantify benefits — Calculate support hour reduction and cost savings
-
Link to goals — Connect technology to your NDIS plan goals
-
Compile strong evidence — OT assessments, provider reports, personal statements
-
Get support — Work with your OT, provider, and support coordinator
Next Steps
To prepare for your plan review:
- Start gathering evidence now — Don't wait until review time
- Contact your OT — Arrange updated assessment if needed
- Speak with your provider — Request performance and outcome reports
- Work with your support coordinator — Compile and structure evidence
- Document your experience — Keep records of benefits and outcomes
If you're an Innogreen participant preparing for review, contact our team for documentation support.
This article reflects NDIS plan review processes as of June 2026. For official information, visit the NDIS website.