Introduction to NDIS Planning Changes 2026
The NDIS Planning Changes 2026 represent one of the most significant updates to the NDIS planning framework in recent years.
The Australian Government, alongside state and territory governments, has introduced a new planning framework designed to improve clarity, fairness, and consistency in how funding decisions are made.
These reforms are part of broader updates to the NDIS Act and associated NDIS rules, aimed at strengthening the planning process for many participants across Australia.
If you currently have an NDIS plan, it is important to understand what is changing and how the phased introduction will affect you.
Why the New Planning Framework Is Being Introduced
Over the past year, the disability community and disability sector have raised concerns about inconsistencies in the NDIS planning process.
Participants reported complex scenarios, unclear funding rationales, and heavy reliance on expensive reports.
The new framework planning rules aim to make NDIS planning clearer by focusing directly on structured support needs assessment rather than relying solely on informal conversations.
The goal is greater clarity, more certainty, and better alignment between documented support needs and total funding.
- Eligibility criteria will be tightened to reduce growth in NDIS costs, decreasing anticipated growth from approximately 22% to 8% by mid-2026.
- Support Coordination eligibility may reduce for those with family support due to tighter access rules.
- Participants can bring their family, carer, or support person to the support needs assessment and may also benefit from support coordination to navigate this process.
- The support needs assessment will help inform a fair and flexible NDIS budget.
- Participants are encouraged to gather reports from their current providers to support their assessment.
What Is the New Way of Planning?
The new way of planning shifts toward structured assessments conducted by a trained assessor.
Under the new NDIS planning framework, funding decisions will rely heavily on an official assessment report.
This planning approach uses a strengths based tool to capture support needs across daily life areas such as personal care, supported independent living, and community access.
The new framework planning model is intended to be person centred while also standardised.
- The NDIA is running information sessions called ‘Understanding the NDIS: Overview of Changes for Participants, Families, and Carers.’
- Participants will receive both the Support Needs Assessment report and their NDIS plan after the assessment.
- Participants should document their daily support needs to prepare for the support needs assessment.
Phased Introduction of the New Planning Framework
The NDIS Planning Changes 2026 will roll out through a phased introduction starting mid-2026.
An initial group of NDIS participants will transition first.
Participants will receive direct notification before moving into the new framework planning system.
Importantly, your current NDIS plan remains active until you formally transition.
For official updates, monitor:
https://www.ndis.gov.au/about-us/reforms
- The new framework will shift focus to foundational supports from mainstream systems such as schools and health.
- From mid-2026, the NDIS planning process will begin evolving to become fairer, more consistent, and easier for participants to navigate.
- The new planning approach will be introduced in a phased manner, so many participants will not experience any change for some time.
- Public consultation on rules for the new way of planning is now open until 6 March 2026.
- The NDIA has confirmed that children younger than 18 will not be part of these changes for now.
Understanding the Support Needs Assessment
The centrepiece of the new framework is the support needs assessment.
A trained assessor will evaluate functional capacity and support requirements in real life settings.
The assessment process is structured and guided by formal framework planning rules.
It may include input from treating health professionals and allied health reports where relevant.
For complex needs or psychosocial disability, additional documentation may still be required.
Official guidance on assessments:
https://www.ndis.gov.au/participants/planning-your-plan
- The new planning framework is designed for adult NDIS participants (aged 18 and over).
- The new framework includes specific improvements for participants with psychosocial disabilities, recognising that recovery is non-linear and requires a flexible, individualized approach to support.
- The new framework planning will start from mid-2026 for some participants who are over the age of 16.
Role of Health Professionals and Reports
Treating health professionals, including occupational therapists and psychologists, can still provide reports to inform funding decisions.
However, the new planning approach aims to reduce unnecessary reliance on expensive reports.
NDIS staff will review the assessment report and approve the final NDIS plan.
Participants should still provide reports when circumstances change or when complex needs require clarification.
Flexible Budget Changes Explained
A major feature of the NDIS Planning Changes 2026 is the introduction of a flexible budget system.
Flexible budgets may replace some stated supports categories.
This allows participants to use funding more flexibly within approved support types.
Funding periods may also cover longer periods, potentially resulting in fewer reviews.
Greater flexibility aims to provide more certainty for many participants.
- Scheduled funding releases will require tighter budget management, limiting early access to whole budgets.
- The new flexible budgets replace the current funding categories of Core Supports, Capacity Building, and Capital Supports.
- Plans under the new framework will cover longer periods, resulting in fewer scheduled plan reviews for participants, providing greater stability and allowing more time to focus on using supports effectively.
- Participants will receive both the Support Needs Assessment report and their NDIS plan, which clearly explains how their budget was determined.
How Funding Decisions Will Be Made
Under the new planning framework, total funding will follow a structured, rule-based calculation.
The new NDIS rules require that funding decisions include documented rationale.
Participants can request clarification during their implementation meeting.
If you disagree with funding outcomes, you retain the right to an internal review.
Learn more about review rights:
https://www.ndis.gov.au/about-us/governance/reviews-and-appeals
The introduction of phased funding will require participants to budget closely throughout the plan year. Participants will benefit from reduced administrative burdens, as fewer reports will be needed for plan reviews.
Review Rights and Administrative Review Tribunal
Participants continue to have rights under the NDIS Act.
You may request an internal review if you disagree with your plan.
If still unresolved, matters may be escalated to the Administrative Review Tribunal.
The new planning framework does not remove participant protections.
More information:
https://www.art.gov.au
Disability Community Involvement
The disability community has played a key role in shaping the new framework planning rules.
Public consultation sessions were conducted through the Department of Health Disability and NDIA channels.
Participants, providers, and plan managers contributed feedback during the public consultation phase.
You can follow consultation updates here:
https://engage.dss.gov.au
Impact on Supported Independent Living
Participants in supported independent living arrangements may see changes in how funding is structured.
The support needs assessment will examine daily life requirements in household and personal care contexts.
The aim is to better align funding with real life support needs.
Flexible budgets may allow improved responsiveness to changing circumstances.
What Happens to Your Current NDIS Plan?
Your current NDIS plan remains valid until transition.
There is no automatic cancellation under the new planning framework.
If circumstances change before transition, you may still request a reassessment under existing rules.
Participants plenty concerned about immediate impact can feel reassured that transition will be gradual.
Preparing for the New Planning Framework
Preparation is essential.
Document your daily life routines and support needs.
Update allied health reports if relevant.
Speak with your support person, support coordinator, or plan managers about planning needed before transition.
Being proactive can make all the difference.
Role of Providers and Plan Managers
Providers have been told to adjust service models to align with the new framework.
Plan managers will assist participants in understanding flexible budget use.
Providers must comply with new NDIS rules as they are implemented.
Training sessions are expected throughout 2026.
Foundational Supports and New Support Types
The reforms also clarify the interaction between foundational supports and individual NDIS supports.
State and territory governments may deliver some foundational supports outside the NDIS.
This aims to streamline funding responsibilities between governments.
Participants should monitor official announcements for further clarity.
What This Means for Complex Needs
For participants with complex needs or psychosocial disability, structured assessments may improve consistency.
The planning framework aims to reduce confusion and provide clearer funding outcomes.
Complex scenarios should be documented thoroughly before assessment.
Providing clear evidence remains important, it does not depend on what providers told you, it depends on the upcoming changes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will funding amounts change?
Funding decisions will reflect assessment findings and framework planning rules.
Some participants may see changes depending on documented support needs.
Are children included in the reforms?
Yes, the new NDIS planning framework applies across age groups, though implementation may vary. Even from moderate developmental delay, up to the most complex ones, they are included.
Will there be fewer reviews?
The aim is to reduce unnecessary reviews by covering longer funding periods.
Monitoring Official Updates
Participants should monitor official sources for accurate updates.
NDIA reforms page:
https://www.ndis.gov.au/about-us/reforms
Services Australia information:
https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au
Australian Government disability reforms:
https://www.health.gov.au
The Role of Re.Connect Support Services
Navigating NDIS Planning Changes 2026 can feel overwhelming.
At Re.Connect Support Services, we assist participants in understanding the new planning framework, preparing documentation, and navigating assessments.
We support you before, during, and after transition.
