NDIS reforms: what’s changing and when
The NDIS reform package is now law, but its changes are being introduced in stages. Here is a clear guide to what the reforms were designed to do, what has started already and what is scheduled to happen next.
Last updated 29 August 2026. This is general information only and is not individual plan or legal advice.
The key message for most participants is that you can continue using your current NDIS plan and supports as usual. The NDIA says it will provide information before a specific change affects you. Some changes are already in the law, while others will only apply later or when a plan is renewed or reassessed.
What is now law and already operating?
The first set of reforms has now started. These changes set new rules for some planning decisions, how the NDIS manages information and payments, and how integrity issues can be addressed. They do not mean that every person’s plan changes now.
New rules for asking for a plan reassessment
An unscheduled reassessment can now be requested by the participant, their plan nominee or, for a child, their child representative. It is available where there has been a significant and ongoing change in disability-related support needs, functional capacity, living arrangements, education, work or informal supports. The NDIA has 90 days to decide the request. If it does not make a decision within that time, the request is treated as refused and review rights apply.
This does not stop participants from asking for a plan variation, including for short-term or urgent changes.
A clearer legal link between disability and funded support
The law now says that an NDIS support must arise directly from the impairment or impairments that meet the NDIS access requirements. This is a change to the legal test the NDIA uses when approving participant supports. It is not a blanket removal of support from existing plans, but it may be relevant when plans are approved or reviewed.
Functional capacity is now defined in the law
The Act now defines functional capacity as a person’s ability to undertake everyday activities. The definition recognises commonly used assistive technology and modifications that a person would ordinarily use, such as glasses or a walking stick. It also recognises age-appropriate assistance for children.
The Government’s formal new access process is not due to start until 1 January 2028. This legal definition is the foundation for the future framework, rather than a signal that everyone must have a new access assessment today.
Stronger integrity, record keeping and payment settings
The NDIA now has stronger powers to seek information and respond to suspected fraud and non-compliance. The Act also introduces record-keeping obligations around supports and payments. The NDIA says participants will generally need to keep records for three years, nominees for five years and providers for seven years. More practical information about what records to keep will be provided as the requirements are rolled out.
Pricing and automated administration
The Minister for Disability and the NDIS can now make pricing determinations for NDIS supports, based on advice from the NDIA through the usual annual pricing review. There are no immediate changes to the current NDIS pricing arrangements.
Some administrative tasks, such as claims and payment processing, may also be automated. The NDIA says that complex, discretionary or judgement-based decisions, including decisions about plans, will still be made by people.
The NDIS reform package becomes law
The NDIS Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill received Royal Assent and became law. It is a large reform package that changes the legal framework for access, planning, funding, providers, payments and safeguards.
The law also requires an independent review of the reforms at the same time as the review of the 2024 NDIS amendments. That review must look at access, participant outcomes, continuity and quality of supports, review rights, the provider market, thin markets and how the changes work alongside other disability supports.
The NDIS reforms are approved
Parliament approved the legislation that enables the reform package. The important detail is that approval did not switch every change on immediately. The reforms have different commencement dates and some rely on future rules, consultation and staged implementation.
What did the original reform package set out to change?
When the Government announced the Securing the NDIS for Future Generations package, it grouped the reforms into four broad areas: clearer access rules, more consistent planning and funding, better quality and oversight of providers, and stronger action on fraud and non-compliance.
In practical terms, the package set out to reshape how people enter the NDIS, how plans are made and renewed, how some funding can be used, and how providers and payments are regulated. The changes below are the core of the reform package.
Access to the NDIS
The reforms set the groundwork for access to be based on a standardised, evidence-based assessment of functional capacity. They also change how the NDIA considers whether an impairment is permanent and whether another compensation system may support a person.
Planning and budgets
The package introduces a new framework-planning model, plan renewal rather than ongoing continuation, updated reasonable-and-necessary criteria and a more direct connection between a person’s eligible impairment and the supports funded.
Participation funding
The law enables the Minister to make support determinations affecting funding for social, civic and community participation and improved daily living skills in old framework plans. The Government has announced intended budget resets for those areas, with exclusions and safeguards for critical supports.
Provider quality and integrity
The reforms build a stronger framework for provider registration, record keeping, information gathering, civil penalties, claims timeframes and fraud prevention. They also change how NDIS pricing and some administrative actions are governed.
What this means now
Not every part of the original package has started. Some are operating now, some have fixed start dates, and others will be introduced after further design work. The rest of this timeline shows when each major participant-facing change is currently scheduled to begin.
What is scheduled to happen next?
These are the current implementation dates. In many cases, changes will apply when a plan is renewed or reassessed, rather than affecting everyone on the same day.
Participation and daily-living funding changes begin
For new plans and plans being reassessed, funding for social, civic and community participation and capacity-building daily activities is scheduled to be progressively reset. This is not retrospective and does not change funding for core daily supports such as disability-related health supports, employment supports, education supports or help with eating and drinking.
The Act also enables plan suspension if a participant does not respond to a request for information after reasonable attempts to make contact. Before this can happen, the NDIA says it must make reasonable attempts to reach the participant, nominee or authorised representative.
The phased rollout of Thriving Kids supports is also scheduled to begin from this date.
New rules on provider inducements begin
New rules are scheduled to prohibit certain provider inducements, including offering specified payments, gifts or benefits to influence a participant’s choice of provider. The aim is to reduce pressure, conflicts and improper practices around participant choice.
A new 90-day claiming timeframe begins
Claims for NDIS supports will need to be submitted within 90 days of the support being delivered. Clear records of supports and payments will become more important for participants, nominees and providers.
Plan renewal and updated support rules begin
When a plan reaches its scheduled reassessment date, the NDIS may renew it rather than continue it under the current process. Unspent funds from the previous plan will not carry over to a renewed plan.
Updated reasonable-and-necessary support criteria are also scheduled to begin. This includes clearer guidance about the support families ordinarily provide and the additional support a child may need because of disability.
New framework planning starts to roll out
Participants will start moving to a new way of planning. The new approach will use a support-needs assessment to help determine plan budgets, taking account of a person’s functional capacity, life stage and environment.
This is about planning and budgets. It is separate from the later changes to NDIS access.
Provider registration changes continue to roll out
Registration requirements are scheduled to expand for some higher-risk supports, including personal care, daily living supports and supports delivered in closed settings. The transition to the new provider settings will continue over several years.
Plan-management arrangements are scheduled to change
A new approach to plan management is scheduled to begin, with a transition period for participants. There is still time before these changes take effect and more detail will be shared as the arrangements are rolled out.
Plan Hero will keep explaining each confirmed change in plain language and continue helping participants manage their NDIS funding budgets and funding periods with confidence.
New access changes begin for new applicants
New applicants to the NDIS are scheduled to move to a standardised, evidence-based assessment of functional capacity. The new rules will also affect how permanence and access to other compensation schemes are considered.
Existing participants will not all be reassessed at once. The NDIS says this will happen progressively over three years. Thriving Kids is also scheduled to be fully operational nationally from this date.
A new support coordination and connection service is scheduled to begin
The NDIS is planning a new commissioned support coordination and connection function. More information is expected before this change is introduced.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to do anything right now?
For most participants, no. You can continue using your current NDIS plan and supports as usual. The NDIA says it will provide information before a specific reform affects you.
Will my current plan or funding change straight away?
Not automatically. The reforms are being introduced in stages. Some future funding changes are scheduled to apply when a plan is renewed or reassessed, rather than to every participant at once.
Can I still ask for a plan reassessment or change?
Yes. Participants, plan nominees and child representatives can request an unscheduled reassessment where there has been a significant and ongoing change in support needs or circumstances. You can also ask for a plan variation, including for short-term or urgent changes.
Are the NDIS access rules changing now?
No. The new access arrangements are scheduled to begin for new applicants from 1 January 2028. Existing participants are not all being reassessed at once; the NDIS says any reassessments will happen progressively over three years.
Do I need to keep invoices and other records?
Yes. It is a good idea to keep clear records of NDIS supports and payments. The new rules include record-keeping requirements, and the NDIA says participants will generally need to keep records for three years.
What about plan management?
Plan-management arrangements are scheduled to change from October 2027, with a transition period for participants. More information will be provided before these changes take effect. Plan Hero will keep sharing clear updates and supporting participants to manage funding budgets and funding periods.
We’ll keep you updated
NDIS reform can feel like a lot to take in. We’ll continue translating confirmed updates into clear, practical information. If you need help understanding your current plan, funding budget or funding period, get in touch with the Plan Hero team.
How It Got Here: The Journey So Far
The Securing the NDIS for Future Generations Bill 2026 was formally introduced to the House of Representatives.
After discussions with disability advocates, families, and state governments, the Bill passed through the House of Representatives.
The Bill moved to the Senate for final reviews, focusing on participant safeguards, state agreements, and foundational supports.
The Senate officially passed the legislation, paving the way for gradual, co-designed updates across the Scheme.
The new framework planning model begins rolling out with built-in indexation protections.
What Should You Do Right Now?
Right now, keep using your plan as normal. As new rules, guidelines, and toolkits are rolled out by the NDIA, we’ll continue breaking them down into simple, practical guides so you’re always one step ahead.
Got questions or feeling unsure about a particular support? Your team is always here to help you navigate the journey
