Recommended Plan Duration

Use the Plan Duration matrix to support decision-making about the length of plans (available here on the SD Hub).
Remember the recommended plan durations are (when no exceptions apply):
- 5 years for participants aged 9 and over
- 2 years for participants aged below 9.

Recommended Funding Period Length

Use the Funding Periods Decision matrix to support decision-making about applying Funding Periods to plans (available here on the SD Hub).
Remember the recommended Funding Period length is 3 months (when no exceptions apply).

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DOCUMENT 14

Plan Duration Matrix

V1.10 23/06/2025

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Plan durations for participant cohorts vary based on their pathway:

Participants younger than 9 are recommended plans of 2 years duration, with exceptions (see below)
Participants aged 9 years and over are recommended plans of 5 years duration, with exceptions (see below)

Exceptions	Reason for exception	Recommendation
Early Intervention – Participants younger than 9 likely to exit due to the benefits of Early Intervention	The participant is likely to exit due to the expected benefits of the early intervention approach	1 year
Participants with a primary disability of developmental delay	The participant requires an eligibility reassessment when they turn 6	1 year
Participants younger than 7 who have met access under hearing stream pathway, and it is their first plan	Newly diagnosed permanent hearing loss	1 year
Participants younger than 9 who are receiving intensive supports e.g. Capacity Building funding above $35,000 per annum	To review the outcome of the intensive early intervention supports	1 year
Participants with a Positive Behaviour Support Plan (PBSP) in place with restrictive practices	Restrictive Practices need to be reviewed yearly	1 year
Hospital discharge plans	Temporary plans to support the transition from Hospital.	Discretionary based on anticipated hospital discharge
Participants reaching life milestones (starting school, transitioning from Primary School to High School, finishing school, or moving out of home)	Would constitute a known change in circumstances.	Discretionary based on timing of life milestone
Compensation Reduction Amount (CRA) or State and Territory Statutory Schemes (SATSS) plans	To align with the known CRA or SATSS review date	Discretionary based on CRA or SATSS review date
Early Intervention – Participants aged 9 years and over	The participant is likely to exit due to the expected benefits of early intervention	2 years
Degenerative conditions, and Terminal Illness and Disability pathway (not streamed YPIRAC)	The participant’s needs are expected to change.	2 years
Participants streamed as YPIRAC and under 65 with a goal of moving out of aged care	Temporary plans to support the transition from Aged Care. To support Cross Billing.	Discretionary based on when the participant is likely to move out of aged care

Funding Periods Decision Matrix

Section 7(2)(a-j) of the NDIS (Old Framework Plans) Determination 2024 outlines 10 key factors delegates should take into account when applying Funding Periods. The following approach supports delegates in assessing risks and preferences:

Matters to be taken into account	1 month	3 months	6-12 months
Unlikely to comply with s46 - The participant being at risk of experiencing fraud or financial exploitation - The participant experiencing physical, mental, or financial harm - If the participant, their nominee, or child representative is currently insolvent under administration - A payment would exceed the amount in the Funding Period - Has not complied with s46 in any of the participant’s plans - Repeated requests for variations or reassessments without evidence of a change in circumstances impacting support needs	Concerns: Non-compliance is repeated and / or is deliberate or severe; AND / OR Delegate determines section 46 of the Act is unlikely to be complied with in relation to the plan; AND/OR Concerns regarding harm and financial risk; AND/OR Nature and cost of the reasonable and necessary supports in the plan (including if cost falls within the operational threshold)	No Concerns: No concerns regarding harm and financial risk; AND Total funding amount (plan value) a per guidance; AND either: - No concerns regarding compliance with section 46, OR - Delegate determines section 46 of the Act is likely to be complied with in relation to the plan.
Kind of support (where the funding period is for a funding component amount). Funds for the listed should be distributed equally across funding periods for duration of plan.	Mandatory 1 month Funding Periods: - Home and Living (SIL, ILO) - Choice and control - Specialist Disability Accommodation - Cross billing payments for residential aged care subsidies and supplements.
Participant Preference: All participant preferences must be considered alongside other relevant factors. If the preference is assessed as low risk, it should carry greater weight in determining the funding period. If the preference presents a risk, it should carry less weight when deciding the funding period.	The participant requests 1 month	The participant requests 3 month	- The participant wants a longer funding period; AND - There is a clear reason to set a longer funding period (for example degenerative conditions and high degree of uncertainty of support needs); AND - There are no concerns about following section 46; AND - There are no concerns about safety or financial risk; AND - Likely to comply with section 46 of the Act.
Plan value	Funding period has core funding (for assistance with daily living) that is over $200,000 per annum.	The plan value is $50,000 or more per year (excluding capital items) for participants aged 9 or older The plan value is $10,000 or more per year (excluding capital items) for participants younger than 9 years