INSIGHTS NDIS Changes Explained: What’s Changing in 2026 and Beyond

The NDIS is changing, with a number of reforms already in place and further changes set to be introduced progressively over the coming years.

In August 2026, new NDIS legislation passed Parliament, introducing changes to how people access the NDIS, how plans are managed, how funding is used and how providers operate.

While some changes are already in effect, others won't begin until later in 2026, 2027 or 2028.

Importantly, the NDIA has advised that participants can continue using their current plans and supports as usual. If a change affects you, the NDIA will let you know what is changing and when.

With a lot of information circulating about NDIS reform, we've broken down what's already changed, what's coming next and what participants, families and carers need to know.

What's already changed?

Clearer rules around NDIS supports

There are now clearer rules around what NDIS funding can and cannot be used for.

NDIS funding must generally be used for eligible NDIS supports that relate to a participant's disability support needs and are consistent with their plan.

The changes are designed to provide greater clarity and consistency around how NDIS funding can be used.

Replacement supports

In some circumstances, participants can apply to use their NDIS funding for an eligible replacement support instead of an existing NDIS support in their plan.

A replacement support isn't additional funding. It replaces an existing support and must meet specific requirements.

Among other criteria, the replacement support must:

• replace an NDIS support in the participant's plan
• provide the same or better outcome
• be included on the approved replacement supports list
• cost the same or less than the support it replaces.

The NDIA must approve the replacement support before NDIS funding is used to purchase it.

Funding periods

Funding periods are now included in new and reassessed NDIS plans.

A funding period determines when portions of a participant's funding become available throughout their plan.

Funding periods will usually be three months, although the NDIA can determine different arrangements based on a participant's individual needs and circumstances.

Importantly, funding periods do not change the total amount of funding in a participant's plan. They change when that funding becomes available.

New rules for plan reassessments

Changes to NDIS plan reassessments came into effect in August 2026.

A plan reassessment may be requested where there has been a significant and ongoing change to a participant's circumstances or support needs.

Under the new requirements, only:

• the participant
• their plan nominee
• their child representative

can request a plan reassessment.

This means a participant cannot give consent for someone else, such as a provider, to submit the reassessment request on their behalf.

A plan reassessment request must be submitted using the correct form and explain what's changed and why the participant needs a reassessment.

Evidence must also be provided and, depending on the circumstances, this may need to come from a GP or health professional.

Once the NDIA has the information it needs, it will make a decision within 90 days. It may decide to:

• reassess the plan
• not reassess the plan
• vary the existing plan.

Participants can continue using their current plan while the NDIA decides whether to undertake a reassessment.

What about smaller or urgent changes?

Not every change requires a full plan reassessment.

Participants can still request a plan variation where changes to their support needs are urgent, minor or short-term.

If you're unsure which type of plan change may apply to you, your my NDIS contact can help you understand the options and what evidence may be required.

What changes are coming next?

The National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026 passed the Australian Parliament on 19 August 2026 and was signed by the Governor-General on 20 August 2026.

Some changes are already in effect, while others will be introduced progressively.

Here are some of the key dates ahead.

From October 2026: changes to some support budgets

From 1 October 2026, support budgets for social, civic and community participation supports and capacity building daily activities will begin to be progressively reset.

The changes will apply:

• from 1 October 2026 when a plan is reassessed or a new plan is approved
• from 1 February 2027 when a plan is renewed.

This means participants will not automatically see their funding change on 1 October. Changes will occur progressively as individual plans are reassessed, renewed or newly approved.

The changes will not impact funding for:

• help with eating and drinking
• education supports
• employment supports
• disability-related health supports.

Changes to funding will not be backdated.

The NDIA has also confirmed a new plan variation pathway for participants with high support needs who require continuous 24-hour disability-related care. Eligible participants will be able to apply for a plan variation within 90 days of a support determination applying to them.

From October 2026: plan suspensions

The new legislation also gives the NDIA the ability to suspend a participant's plan if they don't respond to requests for information.

However, this can only occur after the NDIA has made reasonable attempts to contact the participant and request the required information.

The NDIA currently defines reasonable attempts as trying to contact the participant, their nominee or authorised representative at least five times over an extended period.

This makes it particularly important to keep your contact details up to date and respond to requests for information from the NDIA.

New record-keeping requirements

Changes are also being introduced to how long records relating to NDIS supports and payments need to be kept.

The specified record-keeping periods are:

• 3 years for participants
• 5 years for nominees
• 7 years for providers.

The NDIA has advised that further information will be provided about what records need to be kept and how these requirements should be met.

From December 2026: new claiming timeframes

From December 2026, claims must be submitted within 90 days of delivering an NDIS support.

This change will be particularly relevant to providers and those responsible for submitting claims for supports.

From February 2027: plan renewals

From February 2027, a new plan renewal process will be introduced.

When a plan is due to be reassessed, it will either be reassessed by an NDIA planner or a new plan will be created with the same supports as the previous plan.

This will be known as a plan renewal and will replace the plan continuation process currently used for many participants.

Under the new process, unspent funds from the previous plan won't carry over into the renewed plan.

Changes to reasonable and necessary supports

From February 2027, new criteria will also begin applying when the NDIA determines what reasonable and necessary supports should be funded in new participants' plans.

There will also be clearer guidelines around what parents are ordinarily expected to provide for a child with disability, including areas such as supervision, personal care, transport, emotional support and behavioural support.

These criteria will be progressively applied to existing participants when their plans are reassessed.

From April 2027: a new way of planning

From April 2027, the NDIS will begin progressively introducing a new way of planning.

Participants won't all move to the new planning process at once. The NDIA has advised that it will provide participants with more information before they transition.

One of the key changes will be the introduction of support needs assessments.

What is a support needs assessment?

A support needs assessment will be used to better understand a participant's disability-related support needs.

The assessment will involve a guided conversation with a trained assessor and will look at different areas of a participant's everyday life.

It will identify the:

• type
• amount
• frequency

of disability-related support a participant needs.

The information gathered will then help determine funding based on the participant's disability-related needs.

The NDIA says the new approach is intended to create fairer and more consistent plans.

The rules governing the new planning approach are still being developed, so further information will be provided before the new system begins rolling out.

From July 2027: provider registration changes

From July 2027, mandatory registration requirements will expand for some NDIS providers.

The NDIA says this will affect providers delivering personal care and daily living supports, as well as supports delivered in closed settings.

Further information about these changes will be provided as implementation progresses.

From October 2027: changes to plan management

From October 2027, a trusted panel of plan management providers will be established.

Participants will be supported to transition to a provider on the panel over a six-month period.

From January 2028: changes to NDIS access

Changes to NDIS access will begin from 1 January 2028 for new applicants.

Existing participants will then be reassessed progressively over a three-year period.

The changes will include:

• eligibility decisions using a new standardised, evidence-based assessment of functional capacity
• more consistent assessment of whether an impairment is permanent and whether it can be alleviated or treated
• more consistent assessment of access to other compensation schemes.

Importantly, these access changes do not commence until 2028.

The NDIA has confirmed that people with permanent and significant disability will continue to be able to access the NDIS.

What does this mean for participants right now?

For now, participants can continue using their current plans and supports as usual.

The reforms are being introduced progressively, and the NDIA has advised that it will contact participants if a change affects them and provide information about what is changing and when.

It's important not to assume that every announced NDIS reform applies to your plan immediately.

Different changes have different commencement dates, and some reforms will be progressively introduced over several years.

If your circumstances or support needs have changed significantly and you need your plan reassessed, you should also be aware that the new plan reassessment requirements are already in effect.

Frequently Asked Questions

Have all the new NDIS changes started?

No.

While the new NDIS legislation has passed Parliament, the reforms are being introduced progressively.

Some changes are already in effect, including changes to plan reassessments. Other reforms will commence progressively from October 2026, December 2026, February 2027, April 2027, January 2028 and beyond.

Do funding periods reduce my NDIS funding?

No.

Funding periods change when portions of your funding become available. They don't change the total amount of funding included in your plan.

Can I use my NDIS funding for something that isn't an NDIS support?

Only in specific circumstances.

Participants may be able to apply for an eligible replacement support. The replacement must meet the NDIA's requirements and be approved by the NDIA before NDIS funding is used to purchase it.

Can my provider or Support Coordinator request a plan reassessment for me?

No.

A plan reassessment request must now be made by the participant, their plan nominee or child representative.

A participant can't give consent for another person, such as a provider, to request the reassessment on their behalf.

Your provider or Support Coordinator can still support you to understand the process and gather relevant information, but they can't make the request for you.

Will my funding change on 1 October 2026?

Not necessarily.

Changes to certain social, civic and community participation and capacity building daily activity support budgets will be introduced progressively.

They will begin applying when relevant plans are reassessed or newly approved from 1 October 2026 and when plans are renewed from 1 February 2027.

Is the new way of planning starting now?

No.

The new way of planning is scheduled to begin rolling out from April 2027.

Participants will move to the new approach progressively, and the NDIA has said it will provide more information before participants transition.

Are the NDIS eligibility rules changing now?

No.

The access changes outlined in the new legislation will begin for new applicants from 1 January 2028, with existing participants reassessed progressively over three years.

Do I need to do anything now?

For most participants, there is no need to change how you use your existing plan simply because the new legislation has passed.

Continue using your current plan and supports as usual unless the NDIA advises you that a change affects you.

If you need to request a plan reassessment because your circumstances or support needs have significantly and continually changed, make sure you follow the new reassessment process.

We're here to support you

We understand that changes to the NDIS can feel overwhelming, particularly when different reforms are announced and introduced at different times.

At Danny Met Sally, we're committed to keeping our community informed and helping participants and families navigate their supports with confidence.

Our services include:

• Supported Independent Living (SIL)
• Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA)
• In-Home Supports
• Community Access and Participation
• Support Coordination
• Short-Term Accommodation and Respite.

If you have questions about your supports or how changes to the NDIS may affect the services you receive, our team is here to help.

Individual NDIS funding, access, eligibility and plan decisions remain the responsibility of the NDIA.

The care you'd want for your loved ones.

Information in this article is based on official NDIS guidance available as at 1 September 2026 and is intended as general information only. NDIS reforms are being progressively implemented and details may change. For the latest information or advice about your individual circumstances, refer to the official NDIS website or contact the NDIA.