The current wave of reforms began in March 2024 with the introduction of the National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Getting the NDIS Back on Track No. 1) Bill 2024. Since then, the Government has progressively introduced changes, with further reforms proposed in 2026 as part of its Securing the NDIS for Future Generations package.

Although the NDIS is changing, its purpose remains the same: to support people with disability to live with greater independence, exercise choice and control, and achieve the goals that matter most to them.

What are the key changes?

While these changes are rolling out progressively rather than all at once, understanding the core changes can help you feel confident and well-prepared for your next planning meeting. 

Here’s what’s changing:

• Flexible budgets (New Framework Planning): Instead of funding being set for individual items, you’ll have a total budget with more flexibility to choose how you use it to meet your needs.
• Support Needs Assessments: The new planning process will include a structured conversation with a trained NDIS assessor to understand your individual disability support needs. This information will help determine your NDIS budget.
• More targeted evidence: The NDIS is moving towards using evidence that shows your supports are appropriate, effective and related to your disability support needs, rather than relying on lengthy reports alone.
• Clear statutory funding rules: Explicit rules define what qualifies as an official NDIS support, establishing distinct boundaries between disability-funded items and mainstream services like health, housing, or education.
• Funding in regular periods: Instead of receiving all your funding at once, you may receive it in set periods throughout your plan, usually every three months. This is designed to help you manage your budget and reduce the risk of running out of funding early.

Changes to some funding categories

The Government has announced changes to some NDIS funding categories from 1 October 2026. Parliament passed the legislation on 18 August, and it will be introduced progressively as participant plans are reassessed or renewed. These changes apply to the relevant funding categories rather than reducing a participant’s entire NDIS budget by the same percentage.

• Social, Civic and Community Participation (SCCP): 50% reduction to SCCP budgets.
• Capacity Building – Improved Daily Living: 10% reduction to these budgets.

The impact will vary depending on each participant’s individual plan, supports and circumstances, so participants should seek advice about their own situation rather than assuming a percentage reduction will apply to their overall funding.

What hasn’t changed?

While the way the NDIS operates is evolving, its core purpose remains the same: to support people with disability to pursue their goals, build independence and participate more fully in everyday life. The principles of choice and control continue to underpin the Scheme, and participants remain at the centre of planning conversations. Although some processes and requirements are changing, the focus remains on providing reasonable and necessary supports that help participants achieve their goals.

What does this mean for you?

The changes won’t happen for everyone at the same time. The NDIS will transition participants to the new planning approach over time and will contact you before any changes are made to your plan.

As part of the new planning process, you’ll have a support needs assessment. This is a conversation with a trained NDIS assessor about your circumstances, goals and support needs.

What the reforms mean for you will depend on your individual circumstances. The new approach is still being rolled out, so we expect some details to become clearer as the changes progress.

How can participants prepare?

• Stay informed. Keep up to date with information from the NDIA and other trusted sources as the reforms continue to be implemented.
• Review your goals. Make sure your NDIS goals still reflect what you want to achieve and the supports you need to get there.
• Know the impairment you met NDIS access for: Your Notice of Impairments identifies the impairment(s). Understanding this helps you know which supports relate to your NDIS eligibility and to confidently communicate your support needs. Participants and their approved representatives can seek this information by contacting the NDIS by either calling the National Contact Centre (on 1800 800 110) or making a Participant Information Access (PIA) Request.
• Keep track of your progress. Record everyday achievements, changes in your support needs and outcomes throughout the year to help tell the story of your journey.
• Work with your providers. Talk to your support workers, therapists and other providers about documenting your progress and preparing for future planning conversations.
• Keep important documents organised. Store reports, assessments and other relevant information in one place so they’re easy to access when you need them.
• Ask questions. If you’re unsure how the reforms may affect you, speak with your Plan Nominee, Support Coordinator, Local Area Coordinator (if applicable), or the NDIA.

How Fighting Chance is preparing

At Fighting Chance, we are planning for the upcoming changes with a clear focus on maintaining continuity of support. We are reviewing and adapting our service models to find sustainable ways to work within the new funding settings, while keeping the person and the life they want to lead at the centre of every decision. This includes looking at how our services and families can work more closely together to manage the impact of changes to funding and support arrangements. Participants and families will always have a choice about whether a new service approach works for them or whether they wish to explore alternatives. Throughout this process, safety, safeguarding and compliance will remain non-negotiable, and our goal will be to respond to the external changes without losing the values that define Fighting Chance.

Looking ahead

While change can feel uncertain, understanding the reforms and taking small steps to prepare can help you feel more confident as the changes continue to roll out. Remember, every participant’s circumstances are different, so the impact of the reforms will vary from person to person. Staying informed and working closely with your support network will help ensure you’re well prepared for future planning conversations.

This information is a plain-English summary of publicly available information about NDIS reforms. Reforms are continuing to be implemented, so information may change. For the latest information, visit the NDIS website.