NDIS Progress Reports: How Your OT Report Supports Your Next Plan

When your NDIS plan is coming up for reassessment, one of the most valuable things you can bring to the conversation is a progress report from your Occupational Therapist.

A well-written progress report shows what your therapy has achieved, what has changed in your daily life and what supports you may need next. Here's what you need to know about progress reports, how we write them at Forbes Care and how they connect to your NDIS funding.

What Is an NDIS Progress Report?

A progress report, also called a plan reassessment report, is written by your therapist towards the end of your plan. It tells the story of your therapy across the plan period: what was delivered, the progress you've made towards your goals, any barriers along the way and what should happen next.

A progress report is different from a Functional Capacity Assessment (FCA). An FCA gives a broad picture of your current abilities across many areas of life, and is usually used when more comprehensive evidence or complex recommendations are needed. A progress report is more focused. It follows the work you and your therapist have done together and the changes that have come from it.

Why Progress Reports Matter for Your Funding

The NDIA uses the information and evidence in therapy reports to help decide whether recommended supports meet its reasonable and necessary criteria for funding.

A good progress report helps by:

• Explaining how your therapy funding was used, including how many sessions were scheduled and attended
• Showing your outcomes: where you started, what has changed and what is still difficult
• Making the reasoning clear, linking your therapy to how your disability affects everyday life
• Supporting the next decision with clear recommendations, whether that's continuing, changing or finishing a support

What We Include in Your Report

A summary of your services. Who referred you, when therapy started, how often sessions happened, where they took place and who attended.

Your goals. Each therapy goal is linked to a goal in your NDIS plan, so it's clear how therapy is helping you work towards what matters to you.

Your progress, goal by goal. For each goal, we explain what we did and why, where you started and where you are now, the feedback from you and the people around you, any barriers and how we worked to overcome them, and what we recommend next.

Your voice. We often use tools like the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM), where you rate your own performance and satisfaction in the activities that matter to you. We may also include feedback from family, carers, support workers or school staff.

All the work behind the scenes. Therapy is more than the time spent face to face. Your report can also show assessments, resources and home programs we created, assistive technology trials and prescriptions, meetings with your support team, and letters of support.

Work with other therapists. If you see other professionals, such as a speech pathologist or dietitian, we explain how our work fits together without doubling up.

Progress Isn't Only About Achieving Goals

For some people, progress means learning a new skill or becoming more independent. For others, it might mean staying safe at home, maintaining current abilities or preventing a decline. These are meaningful outcomes too, and your report will reflect them.

What Happens When Your Report Is Ready

We send your report to you first, or to your nominated representative, such as a family member or plan nominee. If you have a support coordinator, we'll copy them in.

If we send a draft, it will be clearly marked, so you have the chance to read it and give feedback. Once you're happy with it, the report can be shared with others involved in your plan, such as your plan manager, Local Area Coordinator or the NDIA.

Plan Ahead So Your Report Is Ready on Time

Writing a thorough report takes time, and that time is usually funded from your therapy budget. A few simple steps can help make sure your report is ready when you need it:

• Tell your therapist your plan reassessment date early, ideally a few months before your plan ends.
• Keep some funding aside in your budget for report writing, so you don't run out before your report is done.
• Share what matters to you. Let your therapist know about any changes, new goals or challenges you've noticed.
• Read your report when you receive it, and ask questions if anything is unclear.
• Keep a copy so you can share it with the NDIA, your support coordinator or your plan manager.

How Forbes Care Can Help

Our Occupational Therapists write clear, practical progress reports that show what was done, explain why, measure what changed and set out what should come next. Every report is written around your individual story, not a generic template.

If you'd like to understand how much of your budget to set aside for reporting, just ask your therapist.

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