What Is Changing, What Is Staying the Same, and How It Affects You.
From mid-2026, the way NDIS plans are made will start to change.
At Endeavour Foundation, we work alongside thousands of people with intellectual disability every day, so we are closely following these changes and what they mean for you.
This new approach is called new framework planning.
It is designed to make NDIS planning fairer, simpler and more flexible for participants.
Do not worry, most participants will not see these changes for a while, and you do not need to do anything right now.
Your current NDIS plan and supports will continue as usual.
Read on to learn more about the changes.
New framework planning focuses on your disability support needs rather than just your functional abilities. It aims to:
Thousands of participants, families, carers and providers told the Independent Review of the NDIS that planning needed to improve.
These changes reflect that feedback and aim to make the system work better for everyone.
Our teams regularly support people through NDIS planning conversations and know how important it is that plans reflect real life, not just paperwork.
Support Needs Assessment: Your Voice Matters
As part of the new planning approach, participants will take part in a support needs assessment.
A trained assessor will meet with you at a time and place that works for you.
You can bring your family, carer or support person to join the conversation. Many people also choose to talk with their support providers beforehand to feel prepared and confident for these conversations.
Together, you will talk about your daily life, your goals and the supports you need.
The assessor will write a report outlining your support needs, which helps inform a fair and flexible NDIS budget.
NDIS staff will review and approve plans, spending more time with each participant to understand their needs.
Participants with complex needs may also provide reports from their treating health professionals.
What Will Stay the Same?
Even with these updates, some things will not change:
Choice, control and fairness remain at the heart of the NDIS – values we support every day in our work with people with disability.
The new planning approach allows participants more control over their funding:
Plans will also last longer. This means fewer reviews and more time to enjoy your life and use your supports.
The Disability Community is Helping Shape Change
The NDIS is working closely with people with disability to design and test the new planning framework.
Throughout the past year, more than 7,000 participants, families and providers have joined workshops and forums to provide feedback.
Participants’ experiences actively guide how NDIS plans are developed through this co-design approach. This makes the process fairer and more practical for real life.
We welcome this approach and know that listening to lived experience leads to better outcomes.
If you want to learn more about these changes, you can attend information sessions.
These sessions are called Understanding the NDIS: Overview of Changes for Participants, Families, and Carers.
You can view the schedule and register online.
These updates aim to make NDIS planning easier to understand, more flexible and focused on your needs.
So, you can spend less time navigating paperwork and more time living your best life.
Supporting You Through NDIS Planning Changes
NDIS plan changes can feel confusing, but you do not have to navigate them alone.
Understanding how planning works, and having the right support, can make a real difference to your confidence and choices.
Endeavour Foundation supports people with disability to live the life they choose, whether that is through Home and Living supports, finding meaningful work through Disability Employment, or building skills and connections with Community Support.
With the right guidance, you can feel informed, supported and ready to make the most of your NDIS plan, now and into the future.