The NDIS is changing: a plain-English guide to what’s ahead

The biggest changes to the NDIS in years are now underway. Here’s a clear, jargon-free rundown of what’s changing, when, and what each change could mean for you.

If you’ve found the recent NDIS news hard to follow, you’re not alone. A lot has been announced at once, the language is technical, and the changes roll out over several years rather than all at once.

Here’s the short version of why: the NDIS was originally designed for around 410,000 participants. Today, more than 760,000 people use it. The government says the changes are about keeping the scheme sustainable for the long term. Whatever your view on that, the changes are real — so it’s worth understanding them. Below is each major change, in plain English.

What’s changing, one by one

1. Less funding for social and community participation

The part of NDIS plans that covers social and community participation — support to get to work, study, activities and time in the community — is being reduced by around 30 per cent. A new $200 million Inclusive Communities Fund is meant to help fill some of the gap, but it’s delivered through organisations rather than added to individual plans.

What it means for you: if you use funding for community access, expect this part of your plan to be smaller when it’s next reset, likely from later in 2026.

2. A new way of deciding who can access the scheme

The government is moving away from granting access based on a diagnosis from a set list of conditions. In future, eligibility will be based on functional capacity — how much a person’s impairment affects their daily life. A standardised assessment tool, the I-CAN Support Needs Assessment, has been selected to support this.

What it means for you: this won’t happen overnight. New criteria still need to be developed and legislated, and most people won’t see changes until around 2028. Existing participants are not being reassessed because of this.

3. A new way of building plans

From April 2027, a new planning framework will change how plans are put together and reviewed, with the stated aim of making decisions more consistent across the scheme.

4. Fewer mid-plan reassessments

The government wants to reduce “unscheduled” plan reassessments — where a plan is reviewed before its end date, often because funding has run out early.

What it means for you: making your plan last across its full length becomes more important. A support coordinator can help with pacing.

5. Changes to plan management

The number of organisations able to act as plan managers is being reduced.

What it means for you: if you’re plan-managed, it’s worth keeping an eye on any communication from your provider in case arrangements change.

6. Foundational Supports, a new layer outside the NDIS

The government is building Foundational Supports: services available outside the NDIS, jointly funded with the states and territories, intended for people with lower-level needs or who don’t qualify for an individual plan. These are still being designed and are not yet operational.

7. Thriving Kids, a new path for young children

A new program called Thriving Kids will support children aged 8 and under with developmental delay and/or autism and low-to-moderate support needs — outside individual NDIS funding. It’s expected to begin from October 2026, with full national rollout by early 2028, and will often be delivered through schools, health services and community organisations.

What it means for families: younger children with lower-level needs may be supported through Thriving Kids rather than an individual NDIS plan.

8. A bigger focus on fraud and provider regulation

A large share of new spending goes to compliance: a new digital payment system to check that claims are genuine, continued funding for the fraud taskforce, and mandatory registration for more providers, starting with higher-risk services from 2027.

What it means for you: mostly behind the scenes, but expect more checks on claims and on the providers you use.

When it happens, at a glance

• Later in 2026: reductions to social and community participation funding begin as plans are reset; Thriving Kids begins rolling out. (Some reporting puts the participation changes as early as July, others October — worth confirming for your own plan.)
• 2027: new planning framework begins (April); provider registration expands.
• 2028: the new approach to eligibility is expected to take effect; Thriving Kids reaches full national rollout.

What you can do now

• Know your plan dates. Many changes take effect when your plan is reset, so knowing your review date helps you prepare.
• Keep good records. Notes on your routines, appointments and how your current supports help you can make a real difference at review time.
• Talk to your support coordinator or local area coordinator. They can explain how the changes might apply to your specific situation.
• Stay informed and have your say. Legislation and the finer detail are still being developed — which means there is still room for people with disability, families and carers to shape how the changes are designed.

The reforms are significant, and some of the detail is still unknown. But the staged timeline means there’s time to understand what’s coming, plan ahead, and ask questions before the changes reach your plan.