NDIS Plan Management Changes 2027: What You Need to Know

Big changes are coming to NDIS plan management in 2027. 

The Australian Government plans to introduce a new panel of approved plan managers. This means participants will eventually need to choose a plan manager from the approved list. 

Do you need to change your NDIS plan manager now?

No. 

You can keep using your current plan manager under today's rules. 

Here's what's changing, when it may affect you and what you need to know. 

What's changing with NDIS plan management? 

The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) plans to introduce a panel of approved plan managers from 1 October 2027. 

Plan managers will need to meet new standards to join the panel. 

The changes aim to improve: 

• The quality of plan management services. 
• How participant information is protected. 
• How invoices and claims are checked. 
• How plan managers are monitored. 
• How the NDIS prevents fraud and incorrect claims. 

New legislation also introduces a formal agreement between plan managers and the NDIA, called a deed of arrangement. 

The deed will set standards for how plan managers operate, including their systems, staff, claims and reporting. 

You can read more on the NDIS website about changes to plan management. 

Will I still be able to choose my NDIS plan manager? 

Yes, but your choice will be limited to plan managers on the approved panel once the new system is fully in place. The NDIA has not yet announced which plan managers will be selected. 

If your current plan manager joins the panel, you may be able to stay with them. If they are not selected, you will need to move to an approved provider. 

The NDIA says participants will receive support during this change. 

The new panel's purpose is to give participants access to plan managers who meet higher standards for service, quality and accountability.

Kismet Healthcare intends to apply to join the approved panel so we can continue supporting our participants through these changes.

When will the changes happen? 

The NDIA has published the following planned timeline. 

October 2026 

The NDIA will seek feedback from plan managers about how the new system should work. 

April to June 2027 

Plan managers will be able to apply to join the new panel. The NDIA will assess applications and decide which providers are selected. 

October 2027 

The government plans to launch the approved plan manager panel. A six-month transition period will begin. 

April 2028 

The transition period is expected to end. Participants will then need to use a plan manager from the approved panel. 

These are the government's planned dates. 

The legal start date for some new plan management requirements is set separately under the legislation. 

You can check the latest dates on the NDIS plan management changes page. 

What did the NDIA tell the Senate? 

The NDIA recently shared information about Australia's plan management market with an Australian Senate committee. 

During the 2025–26 financial year: 

• 1,584 plan managers were active. 
• 922 plan managers received less than $50,000 in plan management fees. 
• Nine plan managers received more than $10 million in plan management fees. 

These figures show that Australia's plan management market includes a small number of large businesses and many smaller providers. 

The NDIA also provided information about claims and compliance concerns in the sector. 

Important: A flagged claim or compliance concern does not automatically mean fraud has occurred. 

You can read the findings in The Scheme Brief's report on the NDIA's Senate answers. 

Will these changes affect my NDIS funding? 

The new plan management arrangements do not, by themselves, reduce your NDIS support budget. They change how plan management services will be approved and delivered. 

Other NDIS funding reforms are happening separately. You should continue to follow the funding and rules in your current plan. 

For more information, see the NDIS explanation of the new laws and upcoming changes. 

What happens if my plan manager isn't approved? 

If your plan manager is not selected for the new panel, you will need to choose an approved provider. The NDIA plans to give participants six months to make this change. 

The full process for moving participants between plan managers has not yet been announced. 

For now, there is no need to switch simply because these reforms are coming. 

What should I do now? 

For most participants, there's nothing urgent to do. 

You can: 

1. Keep using your current plan manager if you're happy with their service. 
2. Watch for updates from the NDIA. 
3. Ask your plan manager how they're preparing for the changes. 
4. Check your funding and make sure you can easily understand your invoices. 
5. You can subscribe to our newsletter to receive up to date information in your inbox. Click "subscribe" here.

A good plan manager should help you understand your funding, answer questions and manage eligible provider payments. 

What happens next? 

The NDIA is expected to provide more information as the new panel is developed. 

We're still waiting to learn: 

• Which plan managers will be approved. 
• How participants will be notified. 
• How changing providers will work. 
• What support participants will receive during the transition. 

We'll update this article as more information becomes available. 

You can follow official announcements on the NDIS changes to plan management page.