Latest NDIS Changes Explained: What's Changing and When?

The Australian Parliament passed new NDIS laws in August 2026. Some changes are already in effect. Others will be introduced over the next few years. 

For now, the important dates are: 

• October 2026: changes to some support budgets begin 
• December 2026: a new 90-day claim timeframe begins 
• February 2027: plan renewals begin replacing plan continuations 
• April 2027: the new way of planning starts to roll out 
• July 2027: registration requirements expand for some providers 
• October 2027: changes to plan management begin 
• January 2028: new NDIS access changes begin 
• July 2028: a new support coordination and connection service begins. 

Let's unpack them one at a time. 

From 1 October 2026, funding allocations for two areas of NDIS support begin to change: 

• Social, Economic and Community Participation 
• Improved Daily Living Skills. 

The changes don't hit every participant on 1 October. They will be introduced as plans are created or reassessed from October 2026. They will also apply through plan renewals from February 2027. 

The changes will roll out over about 12 months. Some supports are protected from these reductions. We've written a separate guide because this is a significant change. 

Read: NDIS Support Budget Changes From 1 October 2026 
 
Source: [Funding-changes-for-NDIS-supports] 

Another important change begins on 1 December 2026. Claims will need to be submitted within 90 days of a support being delivered. 

For participants who use a plan manager, your plan manager can make eligible claims on your behalf. But your plan manager still needs to receive the invoice in time. 

Think of each invoice as having a clock attached to it. The longer it sits around, the closer it gets to the claim deadline. 

If you have older invoices that haven't been sent to your plan manager, now is a good time to get them sorted. 
 
Source: [securing-the-NDIS-for-future-generations] 

From 1 February 2027, plan renewals will begin replacing what the NDIS currently calls plan continuations. When your plan reaches its reassessment date, it may be reassessed or renewed. If it is renewed, a new plan will be created. 

An important change is that unspent funding from your previous plan won't carry into your renewed plan. This is different from having unused funding available within funding periods during the same plan. 

We'll cover plan renewals in their own guide as we get closer to the change. 
 

Source: [securing-the-NDIS-for-future-generations] 

From April 2027, the NDIS plans to start introducing a new planning process. 

Under the new approach, plans will move towards a flexible budget, with a smaller number of supports specifically stated. The new approach will also use a support needs assessment to help inform budgets. 

This won't happen to every participant at once. 

The new planning system will be introduced over time. Some of the detailed rules are still being developed, so we'll update this guide as more information becomes available. 
 
Source: [securing-the-NDIS-for-future-generations] 

From July 2027, registration requirements will expand for some NDIS providers. This includes providers delivering some higher-risk supports, such as: 

• personal care 
• daily living supports 
• supports delivered in closed settings. 

Participants will still be able to choose unregistered providers for other lower-risk supports where the rules allow it. 

More detail will be available before these changes begin. 
 
Source: [securing-the-NDIS-for-future-generations] 

This is an important one for plan-managed participants. 

From October 2027, the NDIA plans to establish a panel of approved plan management providers. Participants will need to choose a plan manager from that approved panel. 

If your existing plan manager isn't on the panel, there will be a transition period to move to an approved provider. The current NDIS timeline says participants will have six months to transition. 

There's still more detail to come about how the panel will work. 

We'll keep this guide updated as those rules become clearer. 
 
Source: [securing-the-NDIS-for-future-generations] 

From January 2028, changes to how people access the NDIS are expected to begin. For new applicants, eligibility decisions will use a new standardised assessment of functional capacity. 

There will also be changes to how permanence and other compensation schemes are considered. 

Existing participants won't all be reassessed at once. 

The NDIS says the changes for existing participants will be introduced over several years. 
 
Source: [securing-the-NDIS-for-future-generations] 

From July 2028, the NDIS plans to introduce a new support coordination and connection service. 

Under the planned model, support coordination will no longer be funded in individual NDIS plans in the same way. Instead, participants will choose from providers appointed to deliver the new service. 

This change is still some way off, and more detail will come before it starts. 
 
Source: [securing-the-NDIS-for-future-generations] 

The legislation enabling many of these reforms has passed. But that doesn't mean every detail of every future change has been decided. 

Some reforms still need: 

• new rules 
• consultation 
• detailed guidance 
• implementation arrangements. 

That's why dates matter. 

Something confirmed for October 2026 is different from a reform planned for 2027 or 2028 that still needs detailed rules. 

We'll update this guide as the NDIA and Australian Government publish new information. 

For most participants, there isn't a long list of things you suddenly need to change. Start with these: 

Keep using your current plan as normal. 

The NDIA says participants can continue using their current plans and supports while changes are introduced. 

Watch for communication from the NDIA. Some changes will happen when your plan is reassessed or renewed. 

Send invoices promptly. The 90-day claim timeframe begins from 1 December 2026. 

Understand your own funding. The October budget changes won't affect every participant in the same way. 

Most importantly, don't assume every NDIS headline applies to your plan today