Your Guide to Getting the Most Hours in Your NDIS Plan (and Making Them Count)

Let’s be blunt: the NDIS isn’t always easy to navigate.

If you or someone you care for has significant support needs, getting enough hours in your plan can feel like a full-time job — and that’s before you even use them.

Here’s how to prepare for your next plan review, increase your chances of being funded properly, and make sure the hours you do get actually work for your life.

NDIS logo

First Things First: What Are NDIS Support Hours?

“Support hours” usually refer to the Core Supports or Capacity Building funding you receive for:

• Daily personal care

• Community access

• Therapy and skill development

• Support workers helping you live your day-to-day life

If you’ve ever felt like you ran out of hours way too fast… you’re not alone.

How to Get More NDIS Hours (Without a Fight)

1. Collect the Right Evidence

NDIS planners don’t go off emotion — they go off documentation.

Here’s what makes a difference:

• Progress reports from support providers

• OT, physio, or psych assessments

• Shift summaries showing how much support you actually use

• Real examples of when you’ve gone without care and it caused issues (missed meds, isolation, accidents)

Tip: Ask your providers (including us) to help. We do this all the time.

2. Be Clear About the ‘Why’

Don’t just say, “I need more hours.”

Say, “To achieve my goal of independent living, I need support 7 days a week with personal care and shopping, plus transport to attend my weekly therapy appointments.”

The more specific you are, the harder it is to ignore.

3. Link Support to Your NDIS Goals

If your plan says your goal is “developing independent living skills,” make sure your evidence talks about:

• Cooking

• Self-care

• Travel training

• Decision-making with support

NDIS funding is meant to be goal-driven. Make that connection obvious.

4. Ask for a Support Coordinator or Plan Manager (if you don’t already have one)

They can help you:

• Navigate the paperwork

• Prepare for reviews

• Push for the right supports

And yes — we work with heaps of great Support Coordinators on the Sunshine Coast. Happy to connect you.

How to Make Those Hours Work for You

Once you’ve got the funding — don’t let it go to waste.

1. Work with a Provider Who’s Actually Organised

Missed shifts? Admin drama? That’s not good enough.

At Sunshine Family Support, we take care of the logistics, communication, and team matching so you can focus on your goals.

2. Build a Regular Weekly Routine

Random one-off shifts aren’t going to build momentum.

We help clients set up consistent weekly support, whether that’s 5 hours or 50. That means:

• The same workers

• Predictable schedules

• Real progress

3. Know Your Rights (and Flexibility)

Core funding is flexible — it’s yours to use based on your needs. If you want to switch providers, shift hours around, or increase care… you can.

You’re the decision-maker. We’re just here to back you up.

Final Thoughts

Getting the right NDIS hours can feel like a battle — but it doesn’t have to be.

With the right evidence, clear goals, and a provider who actually listens, you can build a plan (and a support team) that works with you, not against you.

Need help preparing for your review — or making the most of your current plan?

Contact us here and we’ll talk you through what’s possible. No pressure. No nonsense. Just real support.