When we complete the internal review, there are 3 different types of decisions we can make. We can: 

  • confirm the original decision – we don’t make any changes
  • vary the original decision – we make some changes to the original decision
  • set aside the original decision and make a new decision.

We review all the information we have when we make the internal review decision. For example, we can look at new information you give us after we made our original decision.

When we internally review a decision to approve your plan, we look at whether we have made the correct or preferable decision based on the facts and circumstances at the time we make our internal review decision.

We call the decision that fits best, based on the laws of the NDIS, the preferable decision.

The internal reviewer can consider supports which were not raised, or requested, by you when we made our original decision to approve your plan.

When would we confirm the original decision?

We may confirm the original decision. This means there’s no change to the original decision.

We confirm the original decision if we decide it was the correct or preferable decision.

This means, out of the decisions we could make, the internal reviewer decides the original decision is the correct decision, or the decision that fits best, based on the law for the NDIS, the evidence and facts.

For example, we might decide you’re not eligible for the NDIS, and the internal reviewer confirms the original decision. This means you’re still not eligible for the NDIS.

Example

Jasmine asked for an internal review of our decision to approve her NDIS plan. Her plan includes $3000 funding for therapy, but she believes she needs more.

Jasmine’s internal reviewer looks at all the information we have about Jasmine and her support needs. Her internal reviewer decides the original plan was the preferable decision under the law.

This means her plan does not change. She still has $3000 funding for therapy.

Example

Aimee seeks an internal review of the decision not to give her access to the NDIS.

Aimee’s internal reviewer looks at the information about Aimee’s age. Aimee was 70 years of age when she made her access request.

The internal reviewer decides the original decision was the correct decision under laws for the NDIS because Aimee doesn’t meet the age requirements. This means the original decision not giving Aimee access to the NDIS does not change.

When would we vary the original decision?

We may also vary the original decision. This means we decide to change part of the original decision.

For example, we could decide to include a different amount of funding, or a different number of hours, for a particular NDIS-funded support.

If so, you’ll get a new plan with a revised amount of funding or hours for that support. The rest of the plan will stay the same.

Example

Sam asks for an internal review of our decision to approve her plan. Her plan includes $3000 for therapy.

Sam’s internal reviewer looks at all the information we have, including a new report from her occupational therapist.

Sam’s internal reviewer decides to vary the original plan, and include $4000 for therapy in a new plan. All the other supports in Sam’s plan stay the same.

When would we set aside the original decision, and make a new decision?

Finally, we may set aside the decision and make a new decision. This means the original decision no longer applies. The internal reviewer will now make a new decision.

We do this if we decide the original decision wasn’t correct or preferable. Out of the decisions we could make, there’s one that fits better with the NDIS law based on the facts and evidence.

For example, if we originally decided you’re not eligible for the NDIS, the internal reviewer could decide you are eligible.

Example

Jamal asks for an internal review of our decision to approve his plan. His plan did not include funding for occupational therapy. We didn’t have enough evidence that it met the NDIS funding criteria.

After asking for an internal review, Jamal gives us more evidence on why he needs occupational therapy.

Jamal’s internal reviewer looks at all the information, and decides the original plan wasn’t the correct or preferable decision.

His internal reviewer decides to set aside the original decision. His internal reviewer makes a new decision to approve a plan that includes funding for occupational therapy.

This page current as of
4 July 2022
Indicates required field
Was this page useful?
Why?
Why not?