How to Get More Hours in Your NDIS Plan
Many participants feel the hours in their plan don’t fully match what they need day-to-day. Sometimes support needs change. Sometimes the plan didn’t capture everything during your original meeting. And other times, there simply wasn’t enough evidence to justify higher funding. If you’re trying to increase NDIS funding, the good news is that it is possible you just need the right information and the right approach.
Before you begin, it helps to understand how your current plan works. If you’re not sure where to start, our FAQ page explains NDIS terms in simple language, and our About Us page outlines how STARR Care supports participants through the whole process. Many participants don’t realise that the NDIS has clear pathways to increase NDIS funding, as long as the right evidence is provided.
Table of Contents
7 Practical Ways to Increase NDIS Funding and Get More Support Hours
1. Understand Your Current Plan
Your NDIS plan includes different budget categories. These categories determine how much support you can receive and what you can spend funds on. When trying to increase NDIS funding, you first need to understand what you already have.
Key NDIS Funding Categories
| Category | What It Covers |
|---|---|
| Core | Daily living, transport, community access |
| Capacity Building | Therapy, support coordination, skill development |
| Capital | Assistive technology, home modifications |
Understanding how each category works makes it easier to see where you may need to increase NDIS funding to match your daily routines. Many participants don’t realise they may already have areas that are underfunded or unused. Before requesting more hours, look at:
• Which supports you use most
• Which supports run out early
• Whether some categories remain unspent
• Whether your goals match the support you’re receiving
If this feels overwhelming, you can always reach out through Contact Us for help reviewing your plan.
2. Evidence You Need to Request More Hours
The NDIS focuses heavily on evidence, not just personal needs. To successfully increase NDIS funding, strong evidence is more important than lengthy explanations.
Useful Types of Evidence
• Allied health reports (OT, physio, psychology)
• GP letters outlining increased needs
• Daily support logs showing actual time required
• Risk assessments for safety needs
• Reports showing declined function or new barriers
Quality Evidence That Strengthens Your Case
| Evidence Type | Why It Helps |
|---|---|
| OT Functional Assessment | Shows daily challenges clearly |
| GP Letter | Confirms medical or physical changes |
| Incident Reports | Shows safety concerns that require extra hours |
| Progress Notes | Shows ongoing support is needed |
A good rule to remember: Quality beats quantity. One strong, well-written OT report is usually more helpful than 10 short statements. Strong evidence is the foundation of any request to increase NDIS funding, especially when support needs have changed over time.
3. When You Should Ask for More Funding
There are clear situations when the NDIS expects participants to request a review. If your circumstances have changed, you may be entitled to more funding including more support hours.
Common Reasons to Request a Review
• Increase in daily support needs
• New diagnosis or updated clinical findings
• Reduced mobility or cognitive changes
• Mental health changes affecting independence
• Safety concerns (falls, injuries, isolation)
• Therapy goals not being met with current hours
• Change in living situation
If any of these apply, it may be the right time to request a review especially if you’re trying to increase NDIS funding in Core or Capacity Building supports.
You can also refer to the NDIS official guidance on changes of circumstances.
4. How to Request More Hours
There are several ways to request additional hours, depending on the urgency and type of change.
How to Begin
• Speak with your Support Coordinator (if you have one)
• Request a “reassessment” (formerly S48 Review)
• Ask for a Light Touch Review (for small adjustments)
• Gather updated evidence
• Explain clearly how your needs have changed
What to Include in Your Request
• A clear summary of your increased needs
• Examples of how lack of support affects your day
• Evidence linking the request to your NDIS goals
• Reports that justify the additional hours
If you’re unsure how to frame your request, our team can help just reach out through Contact Us.
5. Tips to Improve Your Chances of Approval
When trying to increase NDIS funding, the NDIS wants to see how the added support will help you:
• achieve your goals
• maintain safety
• build independence
• access the community
• improve functional capacity
Helpful Tips
• Link every request to your NDIS goals
• Use real examples from daily life
• Give clear descriptions of unmet needs
• Include therapist recommendations written in clinical language
• Show how unsafe or difficult tasks are without support
WA Government Disability Services also provides resources on getting the right support
6. What to Do if Your Request Is Denied
A denial does not mean your need isn’t valid. It may simply mean the evidence didn’t show a clear enough picture.
Next Steps
• Request an Internal Review
• Gather stronger evidence (OT or GP recommended)
• Submit incident logs or updated support notes
• Seek advocacy support if needed
The clearer you are about how your current supports fall short, the easier it is for the NDIS to justify an increase NDIS funding request. If you need help gathering evidence or preparing for a review, STARR Care can assist you through the process.
7. How STARR Care Helps Participants Increase Their Hours
STARR Care works closely with participants across the Pilbara to help them understand their plans and gather the right evidence. Our approach is calm, simple, and focused on your daily life not complicated paperwork.
We assist with:
• Reviewing your current plan
• Checking underfunded areas
• Worker notes and support logs
• Linking evidence to your NDIS goals
• Preparing for reassessments
• Communicating with the NDIS
If you want to explore more detailed information about local providers, you can also read our Expert Registered NDIS Provider in South Hedland.
Conclusion: How to Increase NDIS Funding With the Right Approach
Adding more hours to your plan doesn’t mean requesting “extra”; rather, it means demonstrating to the NDIS what you actually need in order to live independently, comfortably, and safely. Participants can effectively increase NDIS funding and obtain support that is in line with their objectives with the correct data and a well-defined strategy.
The STARR Care staff is available to assist you if you’re not sure where to start or need assistance preparing your request.
CONTACT US
STARR Care
Email: info@starrcare.com.au
Unit 3, Brand Street, South Hedland WA 6722
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