What Do the 2026 NDIS Changes Mean for Your Plan and Supports?
The NDIS is changing, but not everything is changing at once.
Throughout 2026 and beyond, a number of reforms are being introduced to change how NDIS plans are managed, how some supports are funded, how providers operate and how people access disability supports.
For participants, families and carers, it can be difficult to know what applies now, what is coming next and whether you need to do anything differently.
Important: NDIS reforms are being introduced in stages. Not every change will affect every participant, and the timing will depend on individual circumstances and when each change applies.
What is changing from October 2026?
From 1 October 2026, some NDIS support budgets will start to change.
The changes apply to specific supports within:
Social, Economic and Community Participation
Improved Daily Living Skills
The budget changes will apply when a plan is reassessed from 1 October 2026 or renewed from 1 February 2027.
The impact will be different for each participant because NDIS plans are based on individual goals, circumstances and support needs.
This does not mean every participant will see their funding change immediately.
What supports are not affected?
Not all supports within these categories are affected by the changes.
The NDIS has identified supports including:
employment
disability-related health supports
high-intensity supports
intensive and complex behaviour supports
help with eating and drinking
dressing
toileting
laundry
cleaning
nursing care and medication
home and vehicle modifications
personal mobility equipment
Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA)
The NDIS has advised that a full list of affected and unaffected supports is available through its website.
If you are unsure whether a particular support is affected, check the latest NDIS information or speak with someone who helps you manage your plan.
What if my plan isn't due for reassessment yet?
The NDIS has advised that if your plan is due for reassessment on or after 1 October 2027, the reassessment date may be brought forward.
If this applies to you, the NDIS says it will provide 60 days' notice before bringing your reassessment forward.
Until then, participants should continue to use their plan funding as normal.
A new support pathway for children: Thriving Kids
Another significant change starting in October 2026 is Thriving Kids, the first phase of Australia's new Foundational Supports.
Thriving Kids is designed for children aged 8 and under with developmental delay and/or autism with low to moderate support needs, as well as their families, carers and kin.
The program is being delivered through cooperation between the Australian Government and state and territory governments, and services will grow progressively over time.
Does Thriving Kids mean children are leaving the NDIS?
No — there are no changes to NDIS access when Thriving Kids starts.
The NDIS has confirmed that changes to NDIS access arrangements for children do not begin until 1 January 2028.
Until then, children can continue to apply for the NDIS in the same way.
Children with permanent and significant disability or high support needs will continue to access the NDIS.
Thriving Kids is intended to build on existing services and provide earlier support for children with lower support needs, including connections to services such as parenting groups, playgroups and other developmental supports.
The rollout of Thriving Kids will happen gradually, with all supports expected to be in place by 1 January 2028.
If you are a parent or carer, you do not need to make changes simply because Thriving Kids has started. Information and support will become available as the program rolls out.
Changes to NDIS claiming timeframes
Another change coming later this year relates to how NDIS claims are submitted and checked.
The NDIS is introducing stronger processes for older claims to help make sure claims are accurate and supported by the right information.
From 15 October 2026
Additional checks will apply to claims submitted 90 days or more after a support was delivered.
From 1 December 2026
A new 90-day claiming timeframe will apply.
Claims will generally need to be submitted within 90 days after a support is delivered.
Claims submitted after 90 days will not be paid unless exceptional circumstances apply.
If you self-manage your NDIS funding, the NDIS recommends submitting claims as soon as possible after receiving a support and keeping records of the support and amount claimed.
These changes are mainly about the claiming and payment process, but they are important for participants who self-manage their funding to understand.
The new way of planning is being tested
The NDIS is also developing a new way of planning, which is expected to start rolling out from April 2027.
Thousands of people have already taken part in testing the new planning approach.
The NDIS says participants have provided feedback about what is working well and where improvements are needed.
People involved in testing have said they want:
clearer information before a planning session
clearer information about what happens afterwards
more time to talk about their support needs
more support or adjustments to help them take part.
The NDIS says this feedback is being used to improve the process before the new way of planning begins.
The new planning approach is intended to make planning more consistent and focused on individual support needs.
Participants do not need to change their current arrangements simply because the new planning approach is being developed.
Changes to NDIS pricing
The NDIS has also released a new 2026–27 NDIS pricing schedule following the first pricing determination made under the new NDIS laws.
The pricing schedule sets the maximum prices that can be paid for NDIS supports for NDIA-managed and plan-managed participants.
The new pricing schedules also include maximum prices for Specialist Disability Accommodation.
Participants do not need to take action because of the release of the new pricing schedule.
However, participants can continue to talk with their providers about the prices they are charged and whether their supports provide value for money.
The NDIS has also opened consultation for the 2027–28 Annual Pricing Review. This provides an opportunity for participants, providers and other members of the community to have their say on future pricing.
What about participants who need 24-hour support?
The new NDIS laws also include a plan variation pathway for participants with high support needs who require continuous 24-hour disability support.
The purpose of this pathway is to help ensure essential disability-related supports can continue where they are needed to keep a person safe at home.
The NDIS has advised that eligible participants will be able to apply for a plan variation within 90 days of a support determination applying to them.
More information about how this pathway will operate is being developed by the NDIS.
If you receive 24-hour disability support and are concerned about changes to your plan or supports, speak with your Support Coordinator, provider, plan manager or the NDIA before making changes to your current arrangements.
What other changes are coming?
The reforms introduced in 2026 are part of a longer-term change to the NDIS.
Some key dates to be aware of include:
1 October 2026
Some NDIS support budgets begin changing, and the first phase of Thriving Kids starts rolling out.
15 October 2026
Additional checks begin for claims submitted 90 days or more after a support was delivered.
1 December 2026
The new 90-day claiming timeframe begins.
April 2027
The new way of planning is expected to begin rolling out.
1 July 2027
Further changes to mandatory provider registration are expected to begin.
1 October 2027
The new trusted panel of plan managers is expected to begin its transition process.
1 January 2028
Changes to NDIS access arrangements for children are expected to begin, alongside the full rollout of Thriving Kids.
The timing and implementation of these changes may continue to develop as the reforms are introduced.
What does this mean for you right now?
With so many changes happening at different times, it can be easy to feel like you need to make changes immediately.
You don't necessarily need to.
A few practical steps can help:
Know when your plan is due for reassessment
The timing of your plan can affect when some of the new changes apply to you.
Understand your current supports
Knowing what supports you receive, what they are for and how they relate to your NDIS plan can help you understand whether a particular reform may affect you.
Keep your information up to date
If your circumstances, living arrangements, functional capacity or informal supports significantly change, make sure the NDIS and the people supporting you are aware of the relevant changes.
Ask questions before stopping or changing a support
If you are unsure whether a support is affected by a reform, seek information before making changes to your current arrangements.
Keep checking for updates
The NDIS reforms are being introduced progressively, and information and processes may continue to be updated.
Checking the latest information from the NDIS can help you understand what applies to your circumstances.
What hasn't changed?
While many parts of the NDIS are changing, some important principles remain.
The NDIS continues to provide individualised disability-related supports based on a person's circumstances, goals and support needs.
Participants can continue using their current plans and supports as usual while reforms are introduced, unless a particular change applies to them.
The reforms are also being introduced progressively. This means different participants may experience different changes at different times.
Looking ahead
The changes introduced during 2026 are part of a much broader reform of the NDIS.
Over the coming years, further changes will affect areas including:
NDIS planning and support needs assessments
children's access and Foundational Supports
provider registration
plan management
claiming and payment processes
how supports are funded and delivered.
Not every change will affect every participant.
The most important thing is to understand what is changing, when it applies and whether it is relevant to your individual circumstances.
At More Than Support, we understand that navigating NDIS changes can feel overwhelming.
Our team works with participants, families, carers and support networks to provide person-centred support and help people understand their services and support arrangements.
If you have questions about your current supports or how changes to the NDIS may affect your situation, speak with your Support Coordinator, provider, plan manager or the NDIA for guidance specific to your circumstances.
Important information
This article provides general information about NDIS reforms and is not personal NDIS, legal or financial advice.
NDIS reforms are being introduced in stages and information may change as new rules, processes and services are implemented.
For the most current information, visit the official NDIS website or speak directly with the NDIA or a person who supports you with your NDIS plan.