NDIS Changes Explained: What's Changing and When

Key takeaways

The Australian Government is planning changes to how the NDIS will work, with new legislation currently before parliament. These changes are expected to roll out progressively between 2026 and 2028 and may include a new planning framework, changes to budgets and updated eligibility rules. For now, NDIS rules and planning arrangements remain unchanged until the law is passed, and participants can continue using their current plan as normal. More information will be shared by the NDIS and your local Just Better Care office as the reforms become clearer.

NDIS changes in 2026 are expected to shape how participants, families and carers understand future planning, funding and eligibility. While many of the NDIS reforms will not happen straight away, it is important to know what may change, when the new NDIS planning framework could begin, and what this means for your current plan. In this article, we explain the NDIS reforms in simple terms, including changes to budgets, support needs assessments, eligibility rules and what participants can continue to do in the meantime.

NDIS reforms are coming, but most changes won’t affect participants until 2027 or 2028. Here we explain the reforms and what you need to know about your plans.

Changes are coming to the NDIS with the Government introducing legislation to parliament to improve its long-term sustainability. But you don’t have to do anything right now, and Just Better Care is here to support you.

760,000 → 600,000

The Government aims to reduce participant numbers by the end of the decade to help support Australians with the highest needs

Once the legislation has passed, reforms will roll out progressively, with tighter eligibility rules expected to be in place by early 2028.

New planning framework

From April 2027, the NDIS will start a new way of planning, known as New Framework Planning. It says it will be fairer and easier.

This is one of the biggest changes to how NDIS plans are created. It was originally going to start in July this year, but has now been delayed until 1 April 2027 following community consultation.

The Government says the new framework will mean:

Plans will cover a longer period than they currently do.
Fairer, more consistent outcomes to reflect each participant’s support needs.
Plans focused on supports to achieve your goals, i.e., gaining independence, finding employment, or participating in community life.
Greater clarity about how funding decisions are made, with access to both the Support Needs Assessment report and your NDIS plan to show how your budget was created.

All participants aged 16 and over will move to New Framework Planning through a staged approach over several years. Read more about NDIS plan management.

New budget allocations

Under the new framework, funding will become simpler, with two types:

Flexible funding

You can use this money across any NDIS-approved supports, giving you more choice and control over how you spend your budget.

Stated funding

Money designated for specific supports from qualified providers (for example, specialist therapies or supported independent living). Read more about how to choose the right provider.

Under the new model, participants will undergo a Support Needs Assessment. This is a structured process that replaces the current funding categories of Core, Capacity Building, and Capital and informs how individual budgets are calculated.

Social and community participation funding

From 1 October 2026, budgets for social, civic and community participation supports will be progressively adjusted and reset. These changes will mean:

Budget allocations for social, civic and community participation support will be reduced by 50 per cent.
Capacity building: daily activity budget allocations will be reduced by 10 per cent.

These changes will not impact budgets for participants’ critical care, and daily living supports such as:

Supports in-home, such as help with eating, drinking, dressing, toileting, laundry, cleaning, community nursing care, and medication.
Home and vehicle modifications.
Personal mobility equipment and transport.
Consumable products to help with incontinence and menstruation.
Specialist Disability Accommodation.

$200 million

A new Inclusive Communities Fund will be established to support participants in group-based activities

How NDIS assessments will change

Eligibility criteria

Access to the NDIS will remain unchanged until 1 January 2028. People can continue applying in the same way until then.

From 2028, eligibility will be refocused on people whose functional capacity has significantly declined and is impacting their day-to-day living.

A Technical Advisory Group is being established to advise on a new eligibility process for determining access to the NDIS based on functional capacity.

Planned changes to eligibility:

Instead of relying on a diagnosis to access the NDIS, people will be assessed on how their disability affects their everyday life.
The NDIS will more clearly define what it funds and what should be covered by other services such as health, education and aged care.
Before approving funding, the NDIS will more consistently consider whether treatment or therapy could first improve a person’s condition.

These changes will be rolled out progressively once the Bill is passed by the end of 2030.

Tighter plan assessments

Some changes will start sooner for new entrants, plan reassessments and plan renewals.

Tighter criteria for unscheduled plan reassessments will be introduced once the Bill is passed.

Participants will still be able to request unscheduled reassessments when there have been significant and ongoing changes to support needs. Only participants, plan nominees, or guardians may request unscheduled reassessments.

How will new support need assessments work

Support needs assessments will be introduced from April 2027 as part of the new way of planning. The Australian Government has outlined a 4-step process:

1	Preparing for the assessment – the NDIA contacts you to provide information and help you get ready.
2	The support needs assessment – a trained NDIA worker will meet with you to discuss your daily life, support needs, and preferences. The assessor submits a Support Needs Assessment report to the NDIA.
3	Building a plan – the NDIA uses the report to structure your plan and create your total funding amount (NDIS plan budget). You receive both the report and your plan, explaining how your budget was created.
4	Using a plan, you have the option of an implementation meeting, then you can use the NDIS Supports list to choose, purchase, and claim supports.

When will these changes affect you?

Current NDIS rules and planning arrangements will remain unchanged until after the law is passed.

Nothing will change for now, and you don’t need to do anything. Participants can keep using their current plan.

The delay to New Framework Planning means there is no imminent change to how your plan works or how your budget is calculated. When the transition begins in April 2027, it will be staged, and you will receive notice well before anything changes for you personally.

Quality Support Services at home and in your community in a few easy steps.

Continue to access supports as normal and watch for official communications from the NDIA or from your local Just Better Care office as more details become available.

Contact your local office

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Will my NDIS plan change in 2026?

Not for most people. The move to New Framework Planning is being introduced gradually from April 2027, and your current plan will remain in place until it is your turn to transition. The most immediate change for existing participants is a reduction in social and community participation funding, which begins from October 2026. Daily living and essential care supports are not affected by these initial changes.

What if my NDIS funding is reduced or I no longer meet the eligibility criteria?

If your funding is reduced or your circumstances change, private in-home care can help bridge the gap. Just Better Care offers flexible, short-term support that can be arranged quickly and scaled to your needs. From personal care and domestic assistance to nursing and transport, without the need for government funding or a lengthy assessment process.

What do the eligibility changes mean for me?

No changes to NDIS eligibility will take effect until at least 1 January 2028, so there is no immediate impact for current participants. When changes do come into effect, eligibility will be more closely tied to functional capacity. How does your disability affect your ability to manage day-to-day life? If you are concerned about your future eligibility, it is worth speaking with your support coordinator sooner rather than later to understand your options.

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