Big changes to the NDIS have been announced by The Health Minister, The Hon. Mark Butler MP, outlined in a recent National Press Club address.
This is being described as the biggest “reset” of the NDIS since it began.
The government says the changes are aimed at making the scheme more sustainable into the future.
Right now, your current plan will not change. You do not need to do anything yet.
While these changes are being presented by the government as a way to strengthen the NDIS long term, people in the disability community have raised concerns about how they may affect participants and families.
This article is designed to help explain what has been announced so far in simple terms.
The NDIS supports hundreds of thousands of Australians. But it is growing very quickly, almost doubling in size in six years.
If nothing changes, the cost is expected to reach around $70 billion by 2030. The government wants to slow this growth and keep the scheme strong long term.
To do this, the government has introduced a plan built on four key areas:
The government says these changes are intended to protect the NDIS for future generations.
Some NDIS funding areas are expected to change progressively from October 2026.
This is because spending in this area has increased very quickly in recent years.
The government has said these changes are not intended to affect supports related to a participant’s critical care and daily living needs.
You may need to think more carefully about how you use your funding. Planning ahead will become more important.
Funding for support coordination and plan management may reduce by around 30% over this time.
This is part of a broader effort to control overall costs and make plans more consistent.
One of the biggest changes is how people access the NDIS.
Functional capacity means how your disability affects your everyday life.
These changes are still being developed and will be introduced gradually.
In the future, it may become harder to access the NDIS, with more people supported through other disability services instead.
Assessments will focus more on your daily support needs, not just your diagnosis.
Some people may receive support outside the NDIS in the future.
These are called foundational supports and may include services through schools, health systems or community programs.
This is designed to support people who may not meet NDIS access requirements but still need help in their daily lives.
There will be changes to how often plans can be reviewed.
This is designed to reduce frequent plan changes and create more stability.
Plan reviews may also involve more detailed questions and stronger evidence requirements.
Your plan may stay the same for longer periods unless your situation changes significantly.
Another major change is how unused funding is handled.
This encourages funding to be used within the plan period.
You will need to track your spending more closely and make sure supports are used during your plan.
The NDIS is introducing stronger systems for payments and service providers.
Providers may also need to show more evidence when making claims, which means closer monitoring of how funding is used.
There might also be fewer providers to choose from, with stricter rules in place.
Payments may become easier to track, and services can become more consistent and reliable.
Not all changes will happen straight away.
Most changes are expected to roll out gradually between 2026 and 2028.
The National Disability Insurance Scheme will let participants know before any changes affect them.
No. You should continue using your current NDIS plan as normal.
The National Disability Insurance Scheme will let you know if anything changes for you.
The government says these changes are intended to protect the NDIS for future generations.
However, they may also mean:
If you feel unsure, it can help to speak with your support team.
Endeavour Foundation understands that changes to the NDIS can create uncertainty for people with disability, families and carers.
We will continue to advocate for an NDIS that supports people with disability to live safe, meaningful and inclusive lives.
As more information and consultations are announced, we will continue sharing updates to help people understand the changes and have their voices heard.
Our Intake Team is here to listen, guide and support you. We take the time to understand your goals, explain your options clearly and help you feel confident about your next steps.
We can support you to:
Understand your plan
Learn what your funding includes and how it may support your goals and everyday needs.
Prepare for future changes
Understand how upcoming NDIS updates may affect your supports and planning.
Find the right services
Connect with supports that suit your needs, preferences and lifestyle.
Explore your options with confidence
Get clear information and guidance to help you make informed decisions about your supports.
When you feel informed and supported, it becomes easier to plan ahead with confidence.