NDIS Reports & Carer Impact Statements: Templates & Examples 2025

Effective documentation is crucial for successful NDIS outcomes. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about carer impact statements, NDIS progress reports, and impact statements, including templates, examples, and expert tips for creating compelling documentation that supports funding decisions and plan reviews.

Key Points: NDIS Reports & Impact Statements

Carer impact statements demonstrate the effect of disability on family members and informal supports
NDIS progress reports track goal achievement and support effectiveness
Impact statements provide evidence of how disability affects daily life and participation
Well-written reports significantly influence NDIS funding decisions and plan reviews
Templates and examples help ensure comprehensive and effective documentation

Understanding Carer Impact Statements

What is a Carer Impact Statement?

A carer impact statement is a detailed document that describes how caring for a person with disability affects the carer’s life, health, wellbeing, and ability to participate in work, education, and community activities. These statements provide crucial evidence for NDIS planning and funding decisions.

Purpose of Carer Impact Statements:

Demonstrate the need for formal supports to reduce carer burden
Provide evidence for respite and family support funding
Support applications for increased support hours
Document changes in carer circumstances over time
Justify specific types of support interventions

Types of Carer Impact Statements

Primary Carer Impact Statement

Focuses on the main carer (usually parent, spouse, or partner)
Comprehensive assessment of caring responsibilities
Detailed impact on physical and mental health
Effect on employment, education, and social participation

Family Impact Statement

Broader assessment including siblings, extended family
Impact on family dynamics and relationships
Effect on children’s development and opportunities
Whole-of-family support needs assessment

Multiple Carer Impact Statement

When care is shared between several people
Coordination challenges and support needs
Individual and collective impact assessment
Support distribution and planning considerations

Carer Impact Statement Template

Section 1: Carer Information

Personal Details:

Name, age, and relationship to NDIS participant
Employment status and work arrangements
Education level and current study commitments
Health conditions and medical needs
Other caring responsibilities

Example: “I am Sarah Johnson, 42 years old, and the primary carer for my 16-year-old son Michael who has autism spectrum disorder and intellectual disability. I work part-time as a nurse (20 hours per week) and have had to reduce my hours significantly since Michael’s needs increased. I also care for my elderly mother who lives nearby and requires weekly support.”

Section 2: Daily Caring Responsibilities

Morning Routine (5:00 AM - 9:00 AM):

Personal care assistance required
Medication administration
Meal preparation and feeding support
Behavioral support and routine management
Transport arrangements

Example: “Michael requires full assistance with personal hygiene, including showering, teeth brushing, and dressing. This takes 45-60 minutes each morning. He needs constant supervision during breakfast due to choking risks and requires his medication to be administered precisely at 7:00 AM. Behavioral support is needed to manage transitions and prevent meltdowns that can last 30-45 minutes.”

Section 3: Impact on Physical Health

Physical Demands:

Lifting, transferring, and mobility assistance
Sleep disruption and fatigue
Stress-related health conditions
Injuries from caring activities
Medical appointments and treatments

Example: “I experience chronic back pain from lifting Michael (65kg) multiple times daily for transfers and personal care. Sleep is disrupted 3-4 nights per week due to his sleep disturbances and night-time seizures. I have developed anxiety and depression, requiring medication and counseling. My GP has recommended I reduce physical caring demands to prevent further injury.”

Section 4: Impact on Mental Health and Wellbeing

Emotional Impact:

Stress, anxiety, and depression
Social isolation and loneliness
Grief and loss related to disability
Worry about the future
Relationship strain

Example: “The constant vigilance required for Michael’s safety has led to severe anxiety. I rarely leave the house without him and have lost contact with most friends. I worry constantly about his future and what will happen when I can no longer care for him. My marriage has been strained, and my husband and I rarely have time together without Michael present.”

Section 5: Impact on Employment and Education

Work-Related Impacts:

Reduced hours or career changes
Frequent absences for appointments
Inability to work certain shifts
Career progression limitations
Financial impact

Example: “I have been unable to work full-time since Michael was diagnosed. Frequent medical appointments, school meetings, and behavioral crises require me to leave work unexpectedly. I have declined promotion opportunities that would require travel or evening work. Our family income has reduced by 60% since I reduced my working hours.”

Social Isolation:

Reduced social activities and friendships
Inability to participate in community events
Limited family outings and holidays
Restricted recreational activities
Impact on other family members

Example: “Family outings are rare due to Michael’s behavioral needs and sensory sensitivities. We cannot attend community events, family gatherings, or social functions. My younger daughter has missed birthday parties and school events because I cannot arrange appropriate care for Michael. Our family has become increasingly isolated from our community.”

NDIS Impact Statement Examples

Impact Statement for Initial NDIS Application

Participant: Emma, 8 years old, cerebral palsy and intellectual disability

Daily Life Impact: “Emma requires total assistance with all personal care activities including feeding, bathing, dressing, and toileting. She cannot be left unsupervised at any time due to safety risks from her mobility limitations and cognitive impairment. Emma uses a wheelchair for mobility and requires assistance with all transfers. Communication is limited to basic gestures and sounds, requiring constant interpretation of her needs.”

Family Impact: “As Emma’s primary carer, I provide 24/7 supervision and care. Sleep is disrupted nightly due to Emma’s positioning needs and discomfort. I cannot work outside the home and have had to decline employment opportunities. Emma’s father works extended hours to compensate for lost income. Our 10-year-old son often helps with Emma’s care and has taken on responsibilities beyond his years.”

Community Participation Impact: “Emma cannot participate in typical childhood activities without extensive support. Playground equipment is inaccessible, and she requires one-on-one supervision for safety. Family outings require significant planning and specialized equipment. Emma cannot attend mainstream childcare or participate in community programs without additional support workers.”

Impact Statement for Plan Review

Participant: David, 35 years old, acquired brain injury

Changes Since Last Plan: “David’s cognitive function has declined over the past year, with increased confusion and memory problems. He now requires prompting for all daily activities and cannot be left alone for more than 30 minutes. Previously, he could prepare simple meals independently; now he requires constant supervision in the kitchen due to safety risks.”

Increased Support Needs: “David’s behavioral changes include increased agitation and aggression, particularly in the evenings. He requires specialized behavior support and has had three emergency department visits this year due to behavioral incidents. His sleep patterns are severely disrupted, requiring night-time supervision and support.”

Carer Impact Changes: “As David’s wife and primary carer, I have had to leave my full-time job to provide increased supervision. The stress of managing his behavioral changes has affected my own mental health, and I am now receiving counseling support. Our teenage children are reluctant to bring friends home due to David’s unpredictable behavior.”

NDIS Progress Report Templates

Support Coordination Progress Report Template

Reporting Period: [Date Range] Participant: [Name and NDIS Number] Support Coordinator: [Name and Organization]

Section 1: Goal Progress Summary

Goal 1: [Specific Goal from NDIS Plan]

Progress Status: On track / Behind schedule / Ahead of schedule / Completed
Activities Completed: [List specific activities and interventions]
Outcomes Achieved: [Measurable results and improvements]
Challenges Encountered: [Barriers and how they were addressed]
Next Steps: [Planned activities for next period]

Example: Goal 1: Increase independent living skills to live in supported accommodation

Progress Status: On track
Activities Completed: Completed cooking skills assessment, enrolled in life skills program, visited three potential SIL properties
Outcomes Achieved: Can now prepare 5 simple meals independently, improved budgeting skills, selected preferred SIL provider
Challenges Encountered: Waiting list for preferred SIL property, anxiety about transition
Next Steps: Continue life skills training, arrange transition planning meeting, organize trial stays

Section 2: Service Utilization

Core Supports Utilization:

Personal care: [Hours used / Hours allocated] - [Percentage]
Community access: [Hours used / Hours allocated] - [Percentage]
Transport: [Amount used / Amount allocated] - [Percentage]

Capacity Building Utilization:

Support coordination: [Hours used / Hours allocated] - [Percentage]
Improved daily living: [Amount used / Amount allocated] - [Percentage]
Social and community participation: [Amount used / Amount allocated] - [Percentage]

Section 3: Provider Performance

Current Providers:

[Provider Name]: [Service Type] - [Performance Rating] - [Comments]
[Provider Name]: [Service Type] - [Performance Rating] - [Comments]

Provider Changes:

[Date]: Changed from [Old Provider] to [New Provider] for [Service Type]
Reason: [Explanation of change]
Impact: [Effect on participant outcomes]

Section 4: Participant Feedback

Satisfaction with Supports:

Overall satisfaction: [Rating/Comments]
Specific feedback on providers: [Comments]
Suggestions for improvement: [Participant input]

Quality of Life Indicators:

Independence level: [Improved/Maintained/Declined]
Community participation: [Increased/Maintained/Decreased]
Relationships and social connections: [Comments]
Health and wellbeing: [Comments]

Therapy Progress Report Template

Reporting Period: [Date Range] Participant: [Name and NDIS Number] Therapist: [Name, Profession, and Organization] Therapy Type: [OT/Physio/Speech/Psychology]

Section 1: Assessment Summary

Initial Assessment Findings:

[Key functional limitations identified]
[Baseline measurements and scores]
[Priority areas for intervention]

Current Assessment Results:

[Updated functional assessments]
[Progress measurements and scores]
[Comparison with baseline data]

Section 2: Intervention Summary

Therapy Sessions Provided:

Individual sessions: [Number] x [Duration]
Group sessions: [Number] x [Duration]
Family/carer training: [Number] x [Duration]

Interventions Implemented:

[Specific therapy techniques used]
[Equipment prescribed or trialed]
[Home programs developed]
[Environmental modifications recommended]

Section 3: Outcome Measurement

Goal 1: [Specific therapy goal]

Baseline: [Initial measurement]
Current: [Current measurement]
Progress: [Percentage improvement or description]
Evidence: [Assessment tools, observations, functional improvements]

Functional Improvements:

[Specific skills gained or improved]
[Increased independence in daily activities]
[Enhanced participation in community activities]
[Improved quality of life indicators]

Writing Effective Impact Statements

Key Principles for Effective Documentation

Be Specific and Detailed:

Use concrete examples rather than general statements
Include specific times, frequencies, and durations
Describe actual incidents and situations
Quantify impacts where possible

Focus on Functional Impact:

Describe how disability affects daily activities
Explain limitations in community participation
Detail support needs and assistance required
Connect disability to specific support requirements

Use Person-First Language:

Focus on the person, not the disability
Avoid negative or deficit-focused language
Emphasize strengths and potential
Maintain dignity and respect throughout

Provide Evidence:

Include relevant medical reports and assessments
Reference professional recommendations
Use standardized assessment tools where appropriate
Include photos or videos if relevant and consented

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Vague or General Statements:

❌ “John has difficulty with daily activities”
✅ “John requires physical assistance to transfer from his wheelchair to the toilet, shower, and bed, with transfers taking 10-15 minutes each and requiring two people for safety”

Focusing Only on Deficits:

❌ “Sarah cannot do anything independently”
✅ “Sarah demonstrates strong motivation to learn new skills and has successfully mastered using her communication device to express basic needs and preferences”

Lack of Specific Examples:

❌ “The family is stressed”
✅ “I have been unable to sleep more than 3 consecutive hours for the past 6 months due to Tom’s night-time seizures, requiring me to check on him every 2 hours and provide repositioning assistance”

Using Reports for NDIS Plan Reviews

Preparing for Plan Reviews

Gather Documentation:

Collect all progress reports from providers
Update carer impact statements
Compile medical reports and assessments
Document any changes in circumstances

Analyze Progress:

Review goal achievement against NDIS plan
Identify areas of improvement and ongoing needs
Document any new support requirements
Assess effectiveness of current supports

Prepare Evidence:

Organize reports chronologically
Highlight key achievements and outcomes
Document ongoing challenges and barriers
Prepare specific funding requests with justification

Presenting Information Effectively

Structure Your Presentation:

Executive Summary: Key points and requests
Progress Overview: Achievements and improvements
Ongoing Needs: Current support requirements
New Needs: Changed circumstances or emerging needs
Specific Requests: Detailed funding requests with justification

Use Visual Aids:

Charts showing progress over time
Photos demonstrating functional improvements
Comparison tables (before/after)
Goal achievement summaries

Digital Tools and Resources

Report Writing Software

Recommended Tools:

Microsoft Word: Templates and collaboration features
Google Docs: Real-time collaboration and sharing
Notion: Comprehensive documentation platform
Evernote: Note-taking and organization
Specialized NDIS software: Provider-specific platforms

Template Resources

Where to Find Templates:

NDIS website official resources
Disability advocacy organizations
Professional association websites
Provider organization resources
Support coordinator recommendations

Quality Assurance

Review Checklist:

✅ All required sections completed
✅ Specific examples and evidence provided
✅ Person-first language used throughout
✅ Professional tone and presentation
✅ Accurate dates and information
✅ Relevant supporting documents attached
✅ Participant/family input included
✅ Clear recommendations and requests

Conclusion

Effective NDIS reports and carer impact statements are essential tools for securing appropriate supports and achieving positive outcomes for people with disability. By using the templates and examples provided in this guide, families, carers, and support providers can create compelling documentation that clearly communicates needs, demonstrates progress, and justifies funding requests.

Remember that these documents are not just administrative requirements—they are powerful advocacy tools that can significantly impact the quality and quantity of supports available to NDIS participants. Take the time to craft detailed, evidence-based reports that truly reflect the person’s needs, achievements, and aspirations.

Need help with your NDIS documentation? Consider working with experienced support coordinators, advocates, or professional report writers who can help you create effective documentation that maximizes your NDIS outcomes.

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