What the new NDIS reforms mean for you and your supports
Parliament has approved major NDIS reforms affecting plan reviews, funding caps and eligibility. Here’s what’s changing, and what it means for participants and families.
Navigating the NDIS can often feel like trying to solve a puzzle with moving pieces. Major changes are now on the horizon following parliament’s approval of landmark legislative reforms.
Understanding these policy shifts and knowing what they mean for you, your family, or those you support is essential.
Why are these changes happening?
The Australian Government introduced these reforms to curb escalating costs and crack down on fraudulent provider practices. The primary goal, stated by policymakers, is to make sure the NDIS remains financially stable so it can continue supporting Australians for generations to come.
However, achieving these savings means significant adjustments to how the scheme operates day-to-day.
What is changing for participants?
The updated legislation brings several key shifts.
Reassessing plans
Starting around January 2028, every participant’s plan will undergo a fresh review. Eligibility will focus heavily on individual needs, with the government aiming to transition people with lower support needs toward foundational community-based services.
Participant numbers
Projections suggest around 240,000 current participants could transition off the scheme over the next decade, while another 110,000 prospective applicants may be directed to alternative support networks instead.
Funding caps on activities
Funding for social and community access will be capped at an average of $26,000 per person annually, aligning with 2023 spending benchmarks.
Protections for higher needs
Following extensive community feedback, amendments were added to protect individuals requiring 24/7 care from funding cuts.
Provider safeguards
New regulations strictly ban NDIS providers from offering financial incentives or rewards to secure or keep clients, putting the focus back on quality care.
What are advocates saying?
While the government highlights the need for long-term stability, disability rights organisations have raised strong concerns.Â
Leaders from peak advocacy groups, including People with Disability Australia (PWDA), emphasise that independence, choice, and control must remain at the heart of any reform.
Advocates stress that moving people off the NDIS without robust, fully funded community supports already in place risks pushing people back onto family carers or isolating them from their local communities.
Staying informed and supported
It is completely normal to feel uncertain when big policy updates take place. Remind yourself that these changes will roll out gradually, and your current rights and supports remain in place today.
We will continue tracking every update to bring you clear, reliable information every step of the way.