Australia’s National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is entering a major period of reform, with significant legislative and administrative changes being introduced progressively from October 2026.
The National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Act 2026 passed Parliament on 19 August 2026 and received Royal Assent on 20 August 2026. The legislation is designed to change how the NDIS manages eligibility, participant plans, funding, providers and scheme integrity.
For participants, families, carers and providers, the most important issue is not simply that the law has changed — it is when each change will take effect and how it may affect individual NDIS plans.
What Is Changing Under the 2026 NDIS Reforms?
The Australian Government says the reforms are intended to make the NDIS more sustainable and ensure it continues to support Australians with permanent and significant disability.
The changes cover several major areas, including:
- NDIS eligibility and access
- Participant plan management
- Funding for certain supports
- Reasonable and necessary supports
- Provider registration and regulation
- Fraud prevention and compliance
- Record-keeping requirements
- Claiming timeframes
- New planning arrangements
- Future changes to NDIS assessments
The reforms will not happen all at once. Instead, they are being introduced progressively over several years.
NDIS Funding Changes From October 2026
One of the most immediate changes begins on 1 October 2026.
Funding for some NDIS supports will be reset when participant plans are reassessed or new plans are approved. The changes primarily affect budgets relating to:
- Social, economic and community participation
- Improved daily living skills
The Government has stated that the funding changes will not affect funding for certain areas, including eating and drinking support, education supports, employment supports and disability-related health supports.
The reduction process will occur over a 12-month period, with changes beginning:
- 1 October 2026 — when a plan is reassessed or a new plan is approved
- 1 February 2027 — when a plan is renewed
Participants with high support needs who require 24-hour disability support will also have access to a new plan variation pathway in certain circumstances.
New NDIS Plan Suspension Rules
From 1 October 2026, the NDIA can suspend a participant’s plan if the participant does not respond to requests for information.
However, the NDIS states that this will only occur after reasonable attempts have been made to obtain the required information. The NDIA says it will attempt to contact the participant, nominee or authorised representative at least five times over a three-to-four-month period using the preferred contact method.
This makes it particularly important for participants and nominees to keep their contact details up to date and respond to requests from the NDIA.
New NDIS Claiming Timeframes
Another significant change is coming in December 2026.
NDIS claims will need to be submitted within 90 days of the support being delivered.
This change is especially relevant for providers and organisations delivering NDIS-funded services, as stronger administrative processes may be required to ensure claims are submitted within the required timeframe.
NDIS Plan Renewals From February 2027
From February 2027, the NDIS will begin replacing the existing plan continuation process with a new plan renewal process.
When a participant’s plan is due for reassessment, the plan may either be reassessed by an NDIA planner or a new plan may be created using the same supports as the previous plan.
Importantly, unspent funds from the previous plan will not be carried over under the new renewal arrangements.
Participants should therefore understand their plan budgets and use appropriate supports throughout their plan period rather than assuming unused funding will automatically transfer into their next plan.
Changes to “Reasonable and Necessary” Supports
From February 2027, new criteria will be introduced for determining what constitutes reasonable and necessary supports for new participants.
The Government says the reforms will also provide clearer guidance about what parents are generally expected to provide for children with disability.
This will include areas such as:
- Supervision
- Personal care
- Transport
- Emotional support
- Behavioural support
The intention is to distinguish ordinary parental responsibilities from the additional support a child requires because of disability.
New NDIS Planning Framework From April 2027
A new planning approach will begin to be introduced from April 2027.
The reforms establish the foundations for support-needs assessments and a new framework for determining participant budgets and support requirements.
The Government has indicated that more information will be provided to participants before they transition to the new planning process.
Provider Registration Changes From July 2027
The reforms will also affect NDIS providers.
From July 2027, mandatory registration requirements will expand for some providers, including providers delivering personal care and daily living supports and certain supports delivered in closed settings.
For providers, this means keeping up with regulatory requirements will become increasingly important as the new framework is introduced.
New Plan Management Arrangements From October 2027
A trusted panel of plan management providers is scheduled to be established from October 2027.
Participants will then be supported to transition to a provider on the panel over a six-month period.
NDIS Eligibility Changes From January 2028
One of the most significant long-term reforms is scheduled to begin in January 2028.
For new applicants, access to the NDIS will begin changing, while existing participants will be reassessed progressively over a three-year period.
The new approach will include:
- A standardised, evidence-based assessment of functional capacity
- More consistent assessment of whether an impairment is permanent
- Consideration of whether an impairment can be alleviated or treated
- More consistent consideration of access to other compensation schemes
These changes represent a major shift in how NDIS access decisions will be made.
NDIS Reform Timeline at a Glance
| Date | Key change |
|---|---|
| 1 October 2026 | Some support budgets begin being reduced when plans are reassessed or newly approved |
| 1 October 2026 | New plan suspension powers begin |
| December 2026 | 90-day timeframe for submitting claims |
| February 2027 | Plan renewals begin |
| February 2027 | New reasonable and necessary support criteria begin |
| April 2027 | New planning approach begins to be introduced |
| July 2027 | Expanded mandatory provider registration |
| October 2027 | Trusted panel of plan management providers |
| January 2028 | New NDIS access changes begin for new applicants |
| July 2028 | New commissioned support coordination and connection function |
What Should NDIS Participants Do Now?
Participants should not assume that every reform will immediately change their current plan.
The NDIS has confirmed that changes are being introduced progressively and that participants will be informed when changes affect them. Current plans and supports can continue as usual unless a particular reform applies to the participant’s circumstances.
Participants and nominees should consider:
- Keeping contact details up to date with the NDIA.
- Responding promptly to requests for information.
- Keeping appropriate records relating to NDIS supports and payments.
- Understanding when their current plan is due for reassessment or renewal.
- Reviewing how changes could affect their future funding.
- Seeking appropriate independent advice or advocacy support if they are unsure about their rights or plan.
Providers should also review their internal systems, particularly around record keeping, claiming deadlines, compliance and upcoming registration requirements.
What These NDIS Reforms Mean for the Future
The 2026 NDIS reforms represent one of the most significant changes to the Scheme since its establishment.
The Australian Government says the objective is to create a stronger, safer and more sustainable NDIS focused on people with permanent and significant disability. At the same time, the scale of the changes means participants, families, carers and providers will need to carefully follow the implementation timeline.
With reforms continuing through 2027 and 2028, the NDIS landscape will continue to evolve.
For participants and providers, understanding what is changing, when it is changing and how the changes apply to individual circumstances will be increasingly important.
This article is based on information published by the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing and the National Disability Insurance Agency. NDIS participants should refer to official NDIS communications and obtain appropriate advice about their individual circumstances.