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(In simple English — for participants and families)
If you’ve ever sat down to write your NDIS goals and thought:
“I don’t know what to write”
“I said what I need last time… why was it rejected?”
“I need support, but I don’t know how to explain it properly”
You’re not alone.
Many participants and families struggle with goal setting — not because their needs aren’t real, but because the way goals are written really matters.
The good news?
You don’t need fancy words.
You don’t need to sound “professional”.
And you don’t need to understand NDIS policy.
You just need to explain what you want to do, why it matters, and what help you need.
This article will show you how — step by step.
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First: What Is an NDIS Goal (Really)?
An NDIS goal is not a medical diagnosis.
It’s not a therapy wish list.
And it’s not about pleasing the system.
An NDIS goal is simply:
What you want to be able to do in your daily life — and what support will help you get there.
That’s it.
The NDIS uses your goals to decide:
What supports are reasonable
What funding you may receive
What therapies or services can be included
If your goals are unclear, vague, or too broad, supports can be delayed or reduced — even when the need is real.
Why Some NDIS Goals Don’t Get Approved
Most goals are rejected or limited for one of these reasons:
They are too vague
They focus on the disability, not daily life
They don’t explain why support is needed
They don’t show how support will help
They are written in general terms with no examples
Let’s fix that.
The Simple Rule That Makes Goals Work
Here’s the easiest way to think about it:
Good NDIS goals describe daily life — not diagnoses.
Instead of focusing on:
symptoms
conditions
therapy names
Focus on:
activities
independence
participation
safety
quality of life
Step 1: Start With Your Everyday Life
Before writing anything, ask yourself (or your family member):
What is hard right now?
What do I avoid because it’s difficult?
What do I need help with every day or every week?
What would make life easier or safer?
Think about areas like:
Getting dressed
Cooking or eating
Leaving the house
Using transport
Communication
Socialising
Managing emotions
Looking after health
Managing routines
Feeling safe at home
These are the things the NDIS understands best.
Step 2: Say What You Want to Be Able to Do
Your goal should describe what you want to do, not what service you want.
❌ Less helpful:
“I want occupational therapy.”
✅ Much better:
“I want to be able to get dressed independently in the morning.”
The second example explains:
the activity
the outcome
the reason support is needed
You don’t need to mention therapy at all — that comes later.
Step 3: Explain Why It Matters to You
This is the part many people skip — but it’s very important.
Ask:
Why does this matter?
What happens if this doesn’t improve?
How does it affect your daily life?
Example:
“I want to improve my balance so I can move safely around my home without falling, especially when I am alone.”
This shows:
safety concerns
independence
real-life impact
Step 4: Link the Goal to Support (Without Naming Services)
You don’t need to say:
“I need OT”
“I need speech therapy”
“I need psychology”
Instead, explain what kind of help you need.
Example:
“I need support to learn strategies and practice skills that help me move safely and confidently at home.”
This gives planners flexibility — and helps avoid rejection.
Step 5: Keep It Specific (But Not Complicated)
Clear goals are easier to approve.
Compare these:
❌ Too vague:
“I want to be more independent.”
✅ Clear and specific:
“I want to prepare simple meals independently so I don’t rely on others for every meal.”
Specific doesn’t mean long — it just means clear.
Real Examples of Strong NDIS Goals (Plain English)
Daily Living
“I want to be able to shower safely on my own so I feel confident and private in my daily routine.”
Communication
“I want to improve my communication so I can express my needs and feelings clearly to others.”
“I want to build confidence and skills to join community activities and make friends.”
Emotional Regulation
“I want support to manage big emotions so I can cope better at home, school, or work.”
Mobility
“I want to move around safely indoors and outdoors so I can leave the house independently.”
Carer Support
“I want supports that reduce pressure on my family and help them support me safely.”
A Simple Formula You Can Use Every Time
If you’re unsure what to write, use this sentence starter:
“I want to be able to ___ so that ___.”
Examples:
“I want to be able to cook simple meals so that I can eat independently.”
“I want to be able to communicate my needs so that I feel understood.”
“I want to be able to manage daily routines so that my day runs more smoothly.”
This one sentence format works incredibly well.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
❌ Listing services instead of goals
Goals are not a shopping list.
❌ Using medical language
You don’t need diagnoses or reports in your goals.
❌ Writing what you think the NDIS wants
Write what you actually need.
❌ Being too general
“Improve quality of life” sounds nice — but it’s unclear.
What If You Have Multiple Needs?
That’s okay.
You can have multiple goals covering different areas, such as:
daily living
emotional wellbeing
communication
social participation
independence
Each goal should focus on one main outcome.
Clear goals = clearer funding decisions.
For Parents and Carers Writing Goals
If you’re writing goals for a child or family member, focus on:
safety
participation
independence over time
reducing stress on the family
building long-term skills
Example:
“We want support to help our child develop daily living skills so they can become more independent as they grow.”
This shows future planning — which the NDIS values.
Final Checklist Before You Submit Your Goals
Before submitting, read each goal and ask:
Is it about daily life?
Is it written in plain English?
Does it explain why support is needed?
Does it focus on outcomes, not services?
Would a stranger understand it?
If yes — you’re on the right track.
Summary
NDIS goals don’t need to be perfect.
They just need to be clear, honest, and connected to real life.
You deserve supports that help you live safely, independently, and with dignity — and well-written goals help make that happen.
If you’re ever unsure, remember this:
Explain your life — not the system.
That’s what good NDIS goals do.
Kind regards,
Joe Paradza CHM, Health Care Leader
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