What are the NDIS changes 2026? What is changing with the NDIS? When will the changes happen, and what could they mean for participants, families and carers?
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is undergoing significant changes between 2026 and 2028.
The Australian Parliament passed the National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026 in August 2026. Some changes are already in effect, while others will be introduced progressively over the coming months and years.
The NDIS changes 2026 are part of a significant program of reforms that will continue to be introduced throughout 2026, 2027 and 2028.
The changes cover NDIS funding, plan reassessments, plan renewals, reasonable and necessary supports, planning, provider registration, plan management, and NDIS access and eligibility.
So, what does this mean for NDIS participants?
This guide explains the major NDIS changes 2026 already underway and the changes expected between now and 2028.
Why is the NDIS changing?
The NDIS is changing to support the Scheme’s long-term sustainability and to change how funding, planning, and access are managed.
The new legislation changes who can access the NDIS, how participant plans are managed, how funding can be used, and how providers operate. The Government is progressively introducing these changes rather than changing everything at once.
This means participants will experience changes at different times, depending on their circumstances, plan dates, and the reforms that apply to them.
Importantly, participants should continue using their current NDIS plan and supports as usual unless the NDIS tells them that a change affects them.
What NDIS changes have already taken effect?
Several NDIS changes have already started, including changes to plan reassessments and pricing arrangements.
Since 27 August 2026, only a participant, their nominee or their child representative can request a plan reassessment before the scheduled reassessment date.
A reassessment request must explain what has changed and why a reassessment is needed. Evidence may also be required, including information from a GP or health professional. Once it has the information it needs, the NDIS has up to 90 days to decide whether to reassess, vary, or not reassess a plan.
Participants can still request a plan variation where a change is urgent, minor or short-term.
What NDIS changes started in October 2026?
From 1 October 2026, budgets for some NDIS supports changed, and the NDIS gained the ability to suspend plans when participants do not respond to requests for information.
Support budgets for social, economic and community participation and improved daily living skills are being progressively reduced when plans are reassessed or renewed.
The reductions apply to new or reassessed plans from 1 October 2026, and renewed plans from 1 February 2027.
The changes do not apply to all NDIS supports. For example, the NDIS states that funding for help with eating and drinking, education supports, employment supports and disability-related health supports will not be affected by these particular budget reductions.
The NDIS can also now suspend a participant’s plan if they do not respond to requests for information, although this follows attempts to contact the participant, nominee or authorised representative.
Will the NDIS changes 2026 reduce everyone’s funding?
No. The changes do not mean that every NDIS participant will automatically have their entire plan reduced.
The October 2026 budget changes apply to particular support categories and are being introduced when plans are reassessed or renewed.
NDIS plans can also change for other reasons, including changes in a participant’s circumstances or support needs.
This means participants should review their individual plan and the supports they use, rather than assuming a general announcement about NDIS funding applies to them.
What is changing in December 2026?
From December 2026, NDIS claims must be submitted within 90 days of delivering the support.
This is an important change for providers and organisations delivering NDIS supports because claiming and record-keeping processes must account for the new timeframe.
For participants, it reinforces the importance of keeping appropriate records and checking that supports are being correctly claimed against their plan.
What NDIS changes are happening from February 2027?
The NDIS changes 2026 are the beginning of a broader series of reforms that will continue into 2027. From February 2027, the NDIS will introduce plan renewals and new criteria for deciding what supports are reasonable and necessary for funding.
When a plan is due for reassessment, the NDIS will either reassess it with an NDIA planner or create a new plan with the same supports as the previous plan. This will be called a plan renewal and will replace the current plan continuation process for many participants.
One important difference is that unspent funds from the previous plan will not carry over into a renewed plan.
Participants should therefore understand how their current funding is being used and discuss any changes in their circumstances or support needs with their NDIS contact before their plan is renewed.
What are the new reasonable and necessary support rules?
From February 2027, new criteria will be introduced to help determine which supports are reasonable and necessary for NDIS funding.
The new criteria will include clearer guidelines around what parents are generally expected to provide for a child with disability.
The NDIS says it will apply these criteria progressively to existing participants when it reassesses their plans.
This means the rules may become increasingly relevant as participants move through the new planning and reassessment processes.
What is changing about NDIS planning?
The NDIS is introducing a new way of planning that will progressively begin from April 2027.
The new planning approach will include a support needs assessment designed to provide a more consistent way of understanding a person’s disability-related support needs.
The assessment is intended to consider the person’s individual circumstances and support needs and help inform the budget included in their NDIS plan.
The NDIS has said participants will receive information before they move to the new planning process.
The new approach is expected to be introduced progressively rather than all at once, so not every participant will move to the new system at the same time.
What is a support needs assessment?
A support needs assessment is a guided process designed to understand the level and type of disability-related support a participant needs.
Under the new planning approach, participants will work with a trained assessor to discuss their support needs.
The information gathered through the assessment will help inform the participant’s NDIS budget and planning decisions. The NDIS says plans will continue to be approved by trained NDIS staff, not automated systems.
The intention is to create a more consistent approach to understanding support needs across participants.
Will NDIS provider registration requirements change?
Yes. Mandatory registration will expand to additional types of NDIS providers from July 2027.
The changes will affect some providers delivering personal care and daily living supports, as well as supports delivered in closed settings.
The NDIS is also introducing stronger compliance, information-gathering and record-keeping requirements.
For providers, this means maintaining appropriate documentation, understanding NDIS requirements and ensuring staff have the skills and knowledge required to deliver supports will become increasingly important.
What are the new NDIS record-keeping requirements?
New requirements will increase the length of time participants, nominees and providers must retain records relating to NDIS supports and payments.
The new requirements provide for:
- Participants: 3 years
- Nominees: 5 years
- Providers: 7 years
The NDIS says these requirements are intended to help ensure claims and payments can be checked and made correctly.
For providers, this makes accurate documentation and record management particularly important.
What is changing for NDIS plan management?
A trusted panel of plan management providers is expected to be established from October 2027.
Participants using plan management will progressively be supported to transition to a provider on the new panel over a six-month period.
Further information about how this transition will work is expected as the reforms are implemented.
Will NDIS eligibility change?
Yes. Changes to NDIS access and eligibility are scheduled to begin from January 2028.
The new approach will introduce a standardised, evidence-based assessment of functional capacity to help determine whether a person meets the requirements for NDIS access.
The reforms will also introduce more consistent approaches to assessing:
- Permanence of an impairment
- Whether an impairment can be treated or alleviated
- Access to other compensation schemes
The changes will initially apply to new applicants from January 2028, with existing participants expected to be reassessed progressively over three years.
The precise operation of the new eligibility process is still being developed, with consultation continuing.
Will NDIS access still be based on a diagnosis?
The NDIS is moving towards a more standardised assessment of functional capacity rather than relying on diagnosis alone.
Under the reforms, access decisions will incorporate a standardised, evidence-based assessment of functional capacity.
The new process is intended to consider the person’s actual support needs and the impact of their impairment rather than relying solely on a particular diagnosis or diagnostic category.
Because the new access process is scheduled to begin in 2028, people should continue following the current NDIS access process until they are advised otherwise.
What is happening to children and the NDIS?
The Australian Government is also introducing changes to how some children with developmental delay and autism receive support outside the NDIS.
The Thriving Kids program began its first phase on 1 October 2026 for children aged 8 and under with developmental delay and/or autism who have low to moderate support needs.
The NDIS has stated that there are no changes to NDIS access or eligibility until 1 January 2028. Children with permanent and significant disability or high support needs will continue to access the NDIS.
Thriving Kids forms part of the broader development of Foundational Supports, which are intended to provide support outside the NDIS for people with disability and children with developmental concerns.
The program is being introduced progressively, with further implementation expected through to 2028.
What is changing for support coordination?
Support coordination changes are also planned as part of the broader NDIS reforms.
From July 2028, the NDIS plans to introduce a new commissioned support coordination and connection function.
Further details about how this will operate are still being developed.
Participants who currently receive support coordination should follow NDIS updates as the new model is developed.
What other NDIS reforms are still being developed?
Not every part of the NDIS reform program has been finalised.
The NDIS has identified several areas where consultation is continuing, including:
- Home and living supports for participants requiring 24/7 support
- Pricing arrangements for some unregistered providers
- The Inclusive Communities Fund
- Social and community participation and capacity-building activities
- The rules for the new planning approach
- The new NDIS eligibility process
This means some details may continue to change as consultation and implementation progress.
What is the NDIS reform timeline?
Understanding the NDIS changes 2026 is important because many of the reforms introduced this year will continue to develop throughout 2027 and 2028. The major NDIS changes are being introduced in stages between 2026 and 2028.
2026
August 2026
- New NDIS legislation passed.
- Changes to plan reassessments begin.
- New NDIS pricing determination framework introduced.
October 2026
- Changes to selected support budgets begin.
- New plan suspension powers begin.
- First phase of Thriving Kids begins.
December 2026
- New 90-day timeframe for submitting NDIS claims begins.
2027
February 2027
- Plan renewals begin.
- New reasonable and necessary support criteria begin to apply.
April 2027
- A new planning approach begins to be introduced.
July 2027
- Mandatory registration expands to some additional provider types.
October 2027
- A trusted panel of plan management providers is established.
2028
January 2028
- New NDIS access arrangements begin for new applicants.
- Existing participants begin progressive reassessment under the new arrangements.
July 2028
- New commissioned support coordination and connection function is planned to begin.
Implementation will be progressive, meaning these dates do not necessarily mean every participant will experience the change on that exact date.
What should NDIS participants do now?
With the NDIS changes 2026 now being introduced, participants may be wondering whether they need to do anything differently.
Participants do not need to make immediate changes simply because the NDIS reforms have been announced.
The NDIS advises participants to continue using their current plan and supports as usual unless they are told that a change affects them.
However, it can be helpful to:
- Check when your current plan is due for reassessment or renewal.
- Understand the supports included in your plan.
- Keep relevant evidence and documentation up to date.
- Keep your contact details current with the NDIS.
- Respond to requests from the NDIS.
- Track changes to your circumstances or support needs.
- Speak with your support coordinator, LAC, plan manager or NDIS contact if you are unsure how a change applies to you.
- Follow official NDIS updates as further reforms are introduced.
Most importantly, don’t assume that a change announced for the NDIS automatically applies to your individual plan. Different reforms apply at different times, and the impact will depend on your circumstances, supports and plan.
How could the NDIS changes affect support providers?
The NDIS reforms are likely to increase the importance of compliance, accurate documentation, appropriate claiming and workforce capability for providers.
Providers will need to stay across changing pricing arrangements, claiming timeframes, registration requirements, record-keeping obligations and participant support requirements.
For participants, choosing a provider that understands their responsibilities and can deliver supports safely, reliably and in line with their individual needs remains important.
At KompleteCare, our disability support services are designed around the individual needs, goals and preferences of the people we support.
We provide a range of NDIS supports, including personal care, nursing, domestic assistance, meal preparation, respite and other supports, helping people maintain their independence and continue living the life they choose.
Where can I find the latest information about NDIS changes?
The NDIS changes 2026 are only the beginning of a broader reform program, with further changes to planning, provider requirements, eligibility and support coordination expected through 2027 and 2028.
The NDIS reforms are being introduced progressively, so information and implementation details may continue to change.
For the latest information, participants, families and carers should refer to the official NDIS website and Australian Government information.
KompleteCare will also continue sharing information to help participants, families and carers understand changes that may affect disability supports.
This article was updated in October 2026. The NDIS reform program is still being implemented, and some future changes remain subject to further consultation and detailed rules. Always check the latest information from the NDIS for advice relating to your individual circumstances.