Following consultation with people with disability, their families, carers and advocates, the Australian Government has announced that the rollout of New Framework Planning (a key part of its broader NDIS reform agenda) will be delayed until 1 April 2027.
The delay follows sustained feedback from the disability community that more time was needed to properly test the proposed changes, understand their impact, and ensure that participants are well informed before any transition begins.
If you or someone you support receives NDIS funding, here is what the delay means. And what, if anything, do you need to do right now?
What is New Framework Planning?
New Framework Planning is a redesigned approach to creating NDIS plans and budgets. Under the new model, participants will undergo a Support Needs Assessment. A structured process that informs how their NDIS budget is calculated, replacing the current approach of funding reasonable and necessary supports across the Core, Capacity Building, and Capital budget categories.
The intent is to deliver fairer, more consistent budgets that better reflect each participant's individual support needs.
All NDIS participants aged 16 and over will eventually move to New Framework Planning. The transition will happen in stages, so most participants will not notice any immediate changes. Participants under 16 are expected to begin transitioning no earlier than 1 July 2027.
Why has the rollout been delayed?
New Framework Planning has been delayed multiple times. It was originally scheduled for mid-2025, then pushed to mid-2026. The Government has now confirmed a revised start date no earlier than 1 April 2027, following direct consultation with people living with disabilities, their families, carers and advocates.
The delay has been welcomed by disability advocacy groups, many of whom had raised concerns that the timeline was too tight to allow for genuine co-design, proper testing of the assessment tools, or meaningful community engagement on the rules underpinning the new model.
The additional time will be used to:
- -Listen to and act on feedback from people with disability and the broader disability community
- -Test proposed rules and assessment processes before they are applied at scale
- -Share clearer, more detailed information to help participants, families and providers prepare for the transition
What changes are still going ahead, and when?
While New Framework Planning has been delayed, a number of other NDIS reforms are proceeding on their original timelines. These are being introduced progressively as part of the Government's broader Securing the NDIS for Future Generations reform package.
From July 2026
Upgrades to NDIS claims and payments systems begin. These improvements are designed to reduce fraud, strengthen payment controls, and give the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) better visibility of claims and the evidence supporting them.
From October 2026
Participant budgets for social, civic, and community participation support and capacity building, as well as for daily activities, will be progressively adjusted. The Government has been clear that these changes will not affect supports that are essential to a participant's critical care and daily living needs. A new $200 million Inclusive Communities Fund will also be established to help rebuild genuine opportunities for participation through community organisations.
From February 2027
Tighter assessment of reasonable and necessary supports will be progressively introduced for new NDIS entrants, plan reassessments, and plan renewals. The criteria for unscheduled plan reassessments will also be tightened so that they occur only in exceptional circumstances. A change welcomed by many participants who have experienced disruptive mid-plan reviews.
From April 2027
New Framework Planning begins rolling out for participants aged 16 and over. The transition will be staged, and participants will be notified before any changes directly affect them.
From October 2027
A new plan management approach will be implemented, beginning with a six-month transition period.
From July 2028
A newly commissioned support coordination and connection function begins operating. Expanded mandatory provider registration requirements are expected to be fully implemented by the end of 2030.
Changes to NDIS eligibility
Alongside the planning changes, the Government is also reforming how people access the NDIS. These changes are intended to return the scheme to its original focus. Supporting Australians with permanent and significant disability whose functional capacity is substantially reduced in ways that affect their day-to-day life.
Planned changes to eligibility include:
- •Removing diagnosis lists as the primary basis for NDIS entry, replacing them with standardised, evidence-based assessments of functional capacity
- •Reinforcing the boundary between NDIS-funded supports and mainstream services such as health, education and aged care
- •More consistently assessing whether treatment could alleviate or remedy an impairment before NDIS funding is approved
- •Ending plan rollovers and stopping unspent funds from being carried over to new plans
Changes to eligibility boundaries will apply to prospective participants from 1 January 2028, with current participants reassessed over a transition period. A Technical Advisory Group will be established to provide advice on appropriate thresholds and assessment tools for determining access.
Stronger provider oversight and fraud controls
The reforms also introduce stronger measures to improve provider quality and protect participants from fraud, exploitation and poor-quality services. Key changes include expanded mandatory registration for providers supporting participants most at risk, a new provider enrolment system, increased evidence requirements for payments, and stronger investigative powers for both the NDIA and the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission.
These changes will be rolled out progressively from July 2026 through to the end of 2030.
What does this mean for NDIS participants right now?
The most important message right now is straightforward: you do not need to take any action.
Your current NDIS plan, supports, and services remain in place. 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.
For families and carers supporting NDIS participants, the same applies. 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.
Related links
For full details on the Government's NDIS reform agenda, including the announcements this article is based on, visit the official NDIS update: Securing the NDIS for future generations.
We’re here to help
Just Better Care supports NDIS participants across Australia with a wide range of disability support services. If you have questions about your current supports or what these changes may mean for you, our team is here to help. You can also visit our News & Events page for further updates as the reform timeline progresses.
