#5 Understand Goals

Imagine if the Government knocked on all our doors to ask what our goals were in life and offered us money to make them happen. This is essentially what the NDIS aims to do - but there's a crucial catch: you need to understand how to frame your goals in ways the system agrees to based on legislation.

Goals Are More Than Just Wishes

In the NDIS, goals aren't just personal wishes. They are the most important part of the whole NDIS plan process. 

Vague statements like "wanting to be happier" or "wanting more independence" might sound reasonable, but they don't give the NDIS enough information to approve specific support.

The NDIS Goal Framework

The NDIS organises goals into specific categories:

Time-based goals:

• Short-term goals (achievable within 12 months)
• Medium-term goals (2-3 year timeframe)
• Long-term goals (bigger life aspirations)

Funding-related goals:

• Capacity building goals (learning skills, becoming more independent)
• Core support goals (everyday assistance needs)

Understanding these categories helps transform vague wishes into fundable requests.

Effective Goal Statements

Compare these approaches:

❌ "I want to be less isolated" ✅ "The goal is to increase community participation by attending a weekly social group, reducing isolation and improving mental health."

❌ "I need help around the house" ✅ "The goal is to maintain a safe living environment and maintain independent living."

Key Takeaway

Before any NDIS planning meeting, prepare by:

• Learning the different types of NDIS goals
• Writing clear goals that show:
  • The specific outcome you want
  • Why it matters for your independence or participation
  • How requested supports directly connect to this goal

The government may be knocking with an offer of support, but you need to speak their language to fully benefit from what they're offering.