NDIS Planning Is Changing: What This Means for Participants and Families

(Updated December 2025 | Changes begin from mid-2026)

The NDIS planning process will start changing from mid-2026 to make it fairer, more consistent, and easier to understand for participants and families.

These changes come after people with disability, families, carers, and providers shared their experiences through the Independent Review of the NDIS. Many said the current planning system was confusing, inconsistent, and relied too heavily on reports rather than real life needs.

This new approach is called New Framework Planning.

Why is the NDIS planning process changing?

The Australian Government updated the NDIS law in October 2024 so improvements recommended by the NDIS Review could be introduced.

The aim is to create plans that:

• focus on actual disability support needs

• are fairer and more consistent

• reduce the need for repeated and expensive reports

• are simpler and more flexible to use

When will these changes start?

• The new planning approach will begin from mid-2026

• Changes will be introduced gradually

• Many participants will not see changes straight away

• Current plans will continue until participants move into the new system

What will be different under the new planning approach?

The new system will:

• use a person-centred, strengths-based approach

• focus on support needs, not just diagnoses or impairments

• create more consistent budgets

• provide simpler plans with more flexibility

• allow plans to run for longer periods, with fewer scheduled reviews

The goal is to help participants spend more time using their supports — and less time navigating the system.

What is a Support Needs Assessment?

A Support Needs Assessment will be part of the new planning process.

What happens in the assessment?

• A trained assessor meets with the participant

• It takes place at a time and location that suits the participant

• Participants can bring family members, carers, or support people

What is discussed?

The assessor will talk with the participant about:

• daily life

• what supports are needed

• what helps them live safely and independently

This information helps create fairer and more consistent budgets.

After the assessment

• The assessor prepares a support needs assessment report

• This report helps build the participant’s NDIS plan

• Plans are still approved by trained NDIA staff

• NDIA staff will spend more time with participants than under the current process

Who completes the assessments?

Assessments will be completed by trained and accredited assessors who:

• complete a formal training and accreditation program

• are trained using materials developed with the University of Melbourne and the Centre for Disability Studies

New NDIS rules will clearly explain how assessments work.

What is I-CAN v6?

The new planning approach will use I-CAN v6 as a base assessment tool.

• It is person-centred and strengths-based

• It focuses on support needs, not limitations

• It has been used in care systems for over 20 years

• It is supported by a new questionnaire that looks at personal and environmental factors

Some participants with more complex needs may still be asked to provide reports from treating health professionals.

How will NDIS budgets work?

Budgets will be developed using information from the support needs assessment.

Under the new approach:

• Funding may be provided as:

  • stated supports (for a specific purpose)

  • flexible funding (used across NDIS supports)

• Budgets will be more flexible than current plans

• Plans will often last longer, reducing frequent reviews

• Participants will have more certainty to plan their lives

Will my review rights change?

No. Your rights stay the same.

Participants can still:

• request a reassessment if circumstances change

• ask for an internal review

• request an external review through the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART)

How is the disability community involved?

People with disability are actively involved in designing the new planning system.

So far:

• Over 7,000 people have contributed

• More than 100 workshops and forums have been held

• A Design Hub continues to test planning ideas with participants

• Advisory groups ensure lived experience remains central

Feedback will continue to shape how the new system is introduced.

Important note

This information is general guidance only. Every NDIS plan is individual. Always check your own plan and speak with your planner, plan manager, or support coordinator to understand how these changes may apply to you.