NDIS Changes Explained: What’s being proposed.
The Australian Government has introduced the NDIS Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026.
It’s a major rewrite of how the NDIS works:
- who gets in,
- how plans are reviewed, and
- how funding is set.
Current Rules vs Proposed 2026 Changes
| How the NDIS Works Now | How It Would Work Under the 2026 Bill |
|---|---|
|
Your functioning is assessed in your real life, including your supports, environment, and personal circumstances. |
Functioning would be assessed without any supports, and without considering your environment. It focuses only on the impairment itself. |
|
You can ask for a plan review anytime, and the NDIS must respond within 21 days. |
You could only get a review if you meet strict criteria (major, unexpected, ongoing change). The NDIS would have 90 days to respond. |
|
Supports can be funded if they are connected to your disability, even indirectly. |
Supports must arise directly from your impairment. Indirect needs (family stress, environment, social factors) may no longer count. |
|
The Minister cannot cut funding in existing plans. |
The Minister could reduce funding for whole categories of supports across the NDIS by setting a percentage cut. |
|
Plans end and you work with the NDIS to create a new one. |
Plans would automatically renew every 12 months with minimal changes. One‑off or temporary supports would be removed. |
|
You get a new plan only after a proper planning process. |
Renewed plans happen without a planning meeting, unless the NDIS chooses to do one. |
|
Permanence test allows access even if treatment may help but not cure. |
Access would be restricted if your condition can be treated, even if treatment is slow, expensive, or uncertain. |
|
NDIS may fund supports even when other systems (health, education) are partly responsible. |
The NDIS would more strictly push people to mainstream services first. |
|
Fraud and compliance powers exist but are limited. |
Much stronger compliance powers: more penalties, more data collection, more oversight of providers and plan managers. |
|
Plan managers have a set of rules which maybe unclear. |
Plan managers would face new regulatory obligations and oversight. |
|
Pricing decisions involve several bodies. |
New governance rules would change how pricing is set. |
|
Automated decisions are limited. |
More NDIS decisions could be automated. |
What This Means in Practice
1. Harder to get into the NDIS
Because functioning is assessed without supports or environment, many people who currently qualify may no longer meet the threshold.
2. Harder to change your plan
Only major, unexpected, ongoing changes would allow a reassessment.
3. Funding could be reduced across the board
The Minister could cut funding for entire categories of supports — even for existing participants.
4. Plans renew automatically
This reduces admin but also means:
no planning meeting
no chance to update goals
one‑off supports disappear
temporary increases vanish
5. More responsibility pushed to other systems
Health, education, mental health, and aged care services would be expected to pick up more of the load.
6. Stronger fraud controls
More oversight of providers, plan managers, and participants
Summary
The Bill aims to slow NDIS growth and reduce costs. To do that, it:
tightens eligibility
limits plan changes
allows funding cuts
shifts responsibility to mainstream services
increases compliance powers
For participants, this could mean less flexibility, fewer supports, and more hurdles to access or maintain funding.
Our commitment to service
We are committed to continue investing in improving NDIS Plan Management services to our stakeholders (participants, nominees, their family members and service providers). Our mission remains the same.
