Deciding on the right NDIS Registered Provider is an important part of getting the support that you need to live your life your way. So to is getting the right people who understand you, your goals and supports to help you achieve them.
That’s why we think a meet and greet is an important first step in your support journey.
A meet-and-greets gives you the chance to decide whether a provider feels right for you before services begin.
A meet-and-greet is not a test, and you do not need to have every answer ready. It is simply a conversation about your life, what matters to you and the kind of support that could help you live life your way. You are allowed to take your time, ask direct questions and decide that a provider is not the right fit.
Start with what you want from your support
Before the meeting, think about what a good week looks like for you. This does not have to be written in formal NDIS language. It might mean feeling more confident catching the bus, keeping on top of meals and washing, getting to a regular activity, having support with personal care, or giving a family carer time to rest.
Try to identify both the practical tasks and the outcomes behind them. For example, household assistance might help you maintain a comfortable home, but it may also give you more energy for work, hobbies or time with friends. Transport support may be about getting to an appointment, but it can also be about building confidence to be out in the community.
If you are unsure where to start, consider these everyday questions:
- What parts of the day are currently difficult, tiring or stressful?
- What would you like to do more independently?
- Are there places, people or activities you would like to access more often?
- What support would make home feel safer, calmer or easier to manage?
- What do you want staff to understand about the way you like things done?
You do not need to focus only on what is hard. Your interests, strengths, routines and preferences are just as useful. Good support should fit around your life, not ask you to reshape your life around a service roster.
Preparing for support meet-and-greets in a way that suits you
There is no single right way to prepare. Some people like a short list on their mobile or a notebook. Others prefer to talk things through with a family member, friend, advocate or guardian beforehand. You can bring someone you trust to the meeting if that helps you feel more comfortable or makes it easier to remember the discussion.
It can help to write down a few non-negotiables. Perhaps you need support workers who communicate clearly, are comfortable around your pet, understand sensory needs, respect your cultural practices, or can support you to attend a particular weekly activity. Maybe consistency matters most, or perhaps you need flexibility because your energy and health can vary.
You can also let the provider know what will make the meeting accessible. This could include meeting in a familiar place, allowing extra time, using plain language, taking breaks, having information in a preferred format or involving a support person. A welcoming provider should respect communication preferences and make space for you to participate in the way that works best for you.
If the meeting is for a child or young person, their voice should still be part of the conversation in a way that is appropriate and comfortable for them. Families and carers bring valuable knowledge, but the child or young person’s routines, interests, communication and sense of safety matter too.
Questions that reveal whether the fit is right
A meet-and-greet is your opportunity to learn how a provider works in real life. You may want to ask how they match support workers with participants, how they manage changes to regular shifts and what happens if your usual worker is unavailable. There is no promise that every day will go exactly to plan, but a dependable provider should be honest about how they communicate and respond when plans change.
Ask about the areas of support you are considering. If you need help with meal preparation, for instance, find out whether workers can support you to choose meals, shop, prepare food safely and build your own skills over time. If community participation is important, ask how workers support your interests rather than simply filling time.
It is also reasonable to ask how the provider protects your dignity, privacy and choice. You might ask how feedback or concerns are handled, whether you can request a different worker, and how workers are trained to create safe and inclusive environments. You deserve support that respects your identity, relationships, culture, beliefs and personal boundaries.
Rather than trying to cover everything at once, choose the questions that matter most to you. You can always ask more later. A good provider will not rush you into an answer or make you feel awkward for wanting clarity.
Be clear about your routines and boundaries
The more a provider understands your usual routines, the easier it is to discuss support that feels natural rather than intrusive. You might explain what time of day you have the most energy, how you prefer personal care to be approached, what makes communication easier, or when you value quiet time.
Boundaries are an essential part of person-centred support. You can be clear about how you want staff to speak with you, what tasks you would like to do yourself and where you would like a hand. For some people, encouragement to try a task independently is helpful. For others, direct assistance is needed on particular days. Both are valid, and your support should respond to your circumstances.
If there are things you do not want discussed in front of others, say so. If you prefer staff to ask before moving items in your home, entering a room or changing a routine, that is worth raising. Respect is often shown in small, everyday moments.
Include the people who know your situation best
Family members and carers can help prepare useful information about routines, risks, medical appointments or times when extra support is needed. Their perspective can be especially helpful when they have been providing a lot of day-to-day care and need reliable, planned breaks.
At the same time, the meeting should remain centred on the participant. If you are a participant, you can ask for time to speak directly with the provider, even if someone else is attending. If you are a parent, carer or guardian, consider asking the participant what they would like you to raise and what they would prefer to answer themselves.
This approach can build confidence from the beginning. Support works best when everyone understands their role, while the participant’s choices remain at the heart of decisions.
Notice how the conversation makes you feel
Practical details matter, but your impression of the conversation matters too. Did the provider listen without interrupting? Did they speak to you, rather than only to the person who came with you? Did they explain things clearly and check that you understood? Were they interested in your goals, not just the hours of support you may need?
Trust can take time, particularly if you have had unreliable support in the past. You do not have to decide during the first meeting. It is okay to take notes, talk it over with someone you trust and come back with further questions.
A promising meet-and-greet will usually leave you feeling heard and respected, even if there are details still to work through. Be cautious if you feel pressured, dismissed or as though your preferences are being treated as inconvenient. Your support should add to your confidence, not take it away.
After the meet-and-greet, give yourself room to choose
Once the meeting is over, reflect on whether the provider understood what you want from support. Consider whether their approach is practical for your routine, whether they communicated openly and whether you could imagine working with their team.
It may help to compare your notes against the priorities you identified beforehand. If consistency was essential, did they explain how they support it? If building independence was a goal, did they describe ways they would work alongside you rather than taking over? If connection to the Port Macquarie community matters, did they show genuine interest in the places and activities you enjoy?
You can ask for information to be repeated or clarified before agreeing to anything. You can also decide to meet another provider. Choice and control are not just words on a service agreement – they are your right in the process of finding support.
The right support relationship does not need to be perfect from the first conversation. It should, however, begin with respect, honest communication and a shared focus on what you want for your life. Start there, and give yourself permission to choose the people who help you feel capable, included and in control.