NDIS Changes 2026: What Participants and Families Need to Know

The NDIS is changing but there’s no need to panic.

On 19 August 2026, the Australian Parliament passed the National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026, introducing major NDIS changes in 2026 and beyond.

These reforms are designed to make the NDIS more sustainable, strengthen safeguards and clarify how the Scheme operates. Importantly, not everything changes immediately. The reforms will be introduced in stages over the coming months and years. The NDIA has confirmed that participants can continue using their current plans and supports as usual for now.

With the NDIS changing over the coming months and years, it can be difficult to keep up with what’s happening. We’ve put together a simple overview of the key changes and important dates to help make sense of what’s ahead.

First: What do I need to do right now?

For most participants, nothing needs to change today.

• You can continue using your current NDIS plan and accessing your supports as usual.

• The changes will be introduced progressively.

• The NDIA says it will provide information to participants and providers before changes that affect them take place.

  
  

If you are unsure how a change may affect your individual circumstances, your Support Coordinator, LAC, planner or NDIS contact can help you understand what you need to do.

What are the major NDIS changes?

There are several reforms coming. Rather than trying to understand everything at once, we’ve broken them down by when they are expected to happen.

7 days after Royal Assent – tighter plan reassessment rules

Some of the first changes will begin 7 days after the Bill receives Royal Assent.

Changes to plan reassessments

The rules around requesting an unscheduled plan reassessment will become tighter.

Participants will still be able to request an unscheduled reassessment when there has been a significant and ongoing change to:

• your functional capacity or support needs; or

• your living, education, work or informal support arrangements.

  
  

Only participants, plan nominees or child representatives will be able to request this type of reassessment. The NDIA will have up to 90 days to decide whether a plan should be reassessed. There will still be pathways for plan variations, including for short‑term changes, urgent situations, crises and circumstances involving fraud.

What this means for you

• You can still ask for help when your circumstances change.

• It’s becoming increasingly important to clearly document changes in your circumstances and support needs.

• A Support Coordinator can help you understand your options, document relevant changes and prepare for conversations with the NDIA.

New record‑keeping requirements

New record‑keeping requirements will also be introduced.

Under the new requirements:

• Participants: records relating to supports and payments must be kept for 3 years

• Nominees: 5 years

• Providers: 7 years

  
  

What this means for you

• Don’t throw away your NDIS‑related records just because a plan has finished.

• Keeping important documentation organised can make it easier to answer questions about your supports, payments or previous plans if needed.

October 2026 – some funding changes begin

From 1 October 2026, participant support budgets for certain supports will progressively be reset as plans are reassessed or renewed.

This includes:

• social, civic and community participation supports

• capacity‑building daily activities

  
  

Importantly, the NDIA has stated that critical supports will not have their budgets changed as part of this particular reform. The changes will happen progressively as plans are reassessed or renewed, rather than everyone’s plan changing at the same time.

What should participants do?

• Don’t assume that your funding will automatically change.

• Keep using your supports in line with your current plan.

• Track your goals, needs and how your supports are helping you.

• If your circumstances or support needs have changed, talk with your Support Coordinator or other appropriate NDIS contact about what this means for your next planning conversation.

December 2026 – new claiming timeframe

From 1 December 2026, the timeframe for making claims will change.

Claims for supports will generally need to be submitted within 90 days of the support being delivered, rather than the current longer timeframe.

Why does this matter?

• It will be important for participants, providers and plan managers to keep paperwork and claims up to date.

• If you’re self‑managed or plan‑managed, make sure you understand who is responsible for submitting claims and keeping the relevant records.

February 2027 – changes to plan renewals

From 1 February 2027, the way plans are renewed will change.

When a plan reaches its reassessment date, a renewed plan will be created. The NDIA says that unspent funds from the previous plan will not carry over into the renewed plan.

This makes it even more important to:

• Understand your plan

• Monitor your supports

• Make sure your funding is being used appropriately throughout the plan period

April 2027 – a new way of planning begins

From April 2027, participants will begin transitioning to a new way of planning called new framework planning.

One of the major changes will be the introduction of support needs assessments. These assessments are intended to provide a more consistent way of understanding a person’s support needs and helping determine their plan budget.

The transition will happen gradually, not all at once.

July 2027 and beyond – more provider changes

From July 2027, mandatory registration requirements for certain higher‑risk supports will begin rolling out.

This may affect providers delivering services such as:

• personal care

• daily living supports

• supports provided in closed settings

  
  

The rollout will occur progressively, with all providers in scope expected to be registered by December 2030.

January 2028 – changes to NDIS access

This is one of the changes people are understandably asking about.

There are no changes to NDIS access happening immediately. The new access arrangements are scheduled to begin from 1 January 2028.

For new applicants, eligibility will increasingly be assessed using a standardised, evidence‑based assessment of functional capacity. Existing participants will be progressively reassessed over a three‑year period.

The Government has stated that people with permanent and significant disability will continue to be able to access the NDIS. So if you’re currently an NDIS participant, you don’t need to panic or make assumptions about your future eligibility based solely on this announcement.

July 2028 – changes to Support Coordination

There is also a significant future change specifically relevant to Support Coordination.

From July 2028, the Government plans to introduce a new commissioned support coordination and connection function.

Under the proposed future model:

• Participants will no longer pay for Support Coordination from their NDIS plan funding.

• Instead, participants will choose from providers funded directly to deliver the service.

  
  

This is still some time away. There will be consultation and further information before this change is implemented.

So, should you be worried?

No – but you should stay informed.

The NDIS is undergoing significant reform, but these changes aren’t happening overnight.

For participants and families, the best things you can do are:

• Understand your current planKnow what supports you have, what they are intended to achieve and when your plan is due for reassessment.

  
  

• Keep good recordsKeep relevant reports, invoices, service information and other important NDIS documents organised.

  
  

• Track changes in your circumstancesIf your support needs or circumstances change significantly, document what has changed and how it affects your everyday life.

  
  

• Don’t make decisions based on social media rumoursThere is a lot of information circulating about the NDIS. Look for information from the NDIS and Australian Government, and speak with your support team about how changes apply to your individual situation.

  
  

• Ask for helpYou don’t have to work through the changes alone.

How can Link Into Life help?

At Link Into Life, we understand that navigating the NDIS can sometimes feel overwhelming – especially during periods of reform.

Our Support Coordination service in Brisbane West can help participants:

• Understand their plans

• Connect with appropriate providers

• Coordinate supports

• Work towards their goals

  
  

As the NDIS reforms continue, we can also help you:

• Stay organised

• Understand information relevant to your situation

• Prepare for conversations with your NDIS contacts

  
  

We don’t make decisions about your NDIS funding or eligibility but we can help you navigate the process.

If you’re unsure about what these changes mean for you, talk to our Support Coordination team.

Need help navigating your NDIS plan?

Need help understanding what these NDIS changes mean for your plan?

Talk to our Support Coordination team in Brisbane West.

Call us on +61 421 183 825 or use our Contact or Referral forms to request a conversation.

NDIS Reform Timeline at a Glance

Date	What’s happening?
19 Aug 2026	Parliament passes the new NDIS Amendment Bill
7 days after Royal Assent	Changes to plan reassessments, record‑keeping and other administrative arrangements begin
1 Oct 2026	Certain social/community participation and capacity‑building budgets progressively reset as plans are reassessed/renewed
1 Dec 2026	90‑day claiming timeframe begins
1 Feb 2027	New plan renewal arrangements and clearer “reasonable and necessary” criteria begin (planned)
1 Apr 2027	New framework planning begins to roll out
1 Jul 2027	Mandatory registration for certain higher‑risk supports begins rolling out
1 Oct 2027	Government‑approved plan management provider panel begins (planned)
1 Jan 2028	New NDIS access arrangements begin for new applicants; existing participants progressively reassessed
1 Jul 2028	New commissioned Support Coordination and Connection service planned

The rollout will be staged, and dates/processes may be updated as implementation continues.

A final word from Link Into Life

Change can feel uncertain but you don’t have to navigate it alone.

The NDIS is changing over the coming years. For now, the most important thing is to:

• Continue using your current supports appropriately

• Stay informed

• Seek help when you need it

  
  

If you have questions about your NDIS plan or need support coordinating your services, Link Into Life is here to help.

Small enough to care. Experienced enough to make a real difference.

Disclaimer: This article provides general information only and is not financial, legal or individual NDIS advice. NDIS legislation, rules and implementation timeframes may change. For the most current information, please refer to the NDIS or Australian Government. For advice about your individual circumstances, speak with the NDIA, your planner, LAC or Support Coordinator.