Changes to the NDIS: What Participants and Providers Need to Know

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is introducing a range of changes that will affect participants, families and providers over the coming years.

Because the changes are being introduced at different times, the NDIS has created a dedicated information hub covering areas such as the new way of planning, NDIS laws, plan management and upcoming changes to participant funding.

Understanding these changes can help participants and providers keep track of what is happening and prepare for changes that may affect them.

A New Way of Planning

One of the major areas of change is the way NDIS plans are developed.

The NDIS is working towards a new approach to planning and has provided information about how the new planning process will work. There are also opportunities to test and provide feedback on the new approach.

The aim is to provide participants with clearer information about their plans and supports while improving the way planning decisions are made.

Changes to Plan Management

Plan management is another area covered by the NDIS reform program.

Changes to plan management can affect how participants and providers interact with the NDIS and how funding is managed.

Participants and providers should refer to the latest NDIS information for details about when specific plan management changes apply.

Changes to Support Budgets

Changes to certain support budgets are also being introduced.

The NDIS announced on 17 September 2026 that changes to support budgets would begin from 1 October 2026. These changes form part of the broader implementation of the new NDIS arrangements.

Because funding arrangements can directly affect the supports available through a participant’s plan, understanding the specific changes that apply to an individual plan is important.

Changes to Plan Reassessments

The NDIS is also introducing changes relating to plan reassessments.

Information about these changes was published by the NDIS on 27 August 2026. The changes are part of the broader transition towards the new planning arrangements.

Participants should remember that ordinary changes to a plan can also occur when their circumstances or support needs change. The NDIS has specifically stated that these normal planning changes should not be confused with the new legislative reforms.

New NDIS Laws

The changes to the NDIS are closely connected with the new legislation passed by Parliament in August 2026.

The new laws will progressively affect:

• NDIS access
• Participant planning
• Funding
• Provider responsibilities
• Fraud prevention
• NDIS pricing

Not all of these changes will happen at the same time. Some are being introduced during 2026, while further reforms will continue over the following years.

What Does This Mean for Participants?

For participants, the most important point is that the NDIS changes are being introduced progressively.

Participants can continue using their current plans and supports as usual unless they are specifically informed that a particular change affects them.

The NDIS has stated that participants will be informed when changes affect them and will receive information about what is changing and when it will happen.

This means participants should avoid relying on general information about NDIS reform to determine what has changed in their own plan. Individual circumstances and the timing of a participant’s plan or reassessment can be important.

What Does This Mean for Providers?

Providers also have an important role during the transition.

Changes to provider requirements, funding arrangements, record keeping and service delivery mean that organisations delivering NDIS supports need to stay informed about new requirements.

The NDIA has stated that providers will receive updates about what the reforms mean for them as implementation continues.

For providers, keeping accurate records, understanding current requirements and following official NDIS updates can help support a smooth transition.

Staying Up to Date

The NDIS changes are being introduced over several years, so information may continue to develop.

The official NDIS Changes to the NDIS page currently provides updates covering the new planning approach, NDIS laws, plan management and recent changes to support budgets and plan reassessments.

Participants, families and providers can use this information to understand the latest developments and identify changes that may be relevant to them.

As the reforms continue, the NDIS will provide further information about individual changes, implementation dates and what participants and providers need to do.

Source: National Disability Insurance Agency, Changes to the NDIS.