Department of Health, Disability and Ageing website outlines proposed NDIS reforms
16 July 2026
The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing has provided detailed information about proposed reforms to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). The website outlines how these changes could affect participants, providers and people applying to the Scheme in the future.
The reforms plan to change several areas of the NDIS over the coming years and they have included a full timeline for implementation of the changes.
The proposed reforms would make significant changes to how people access the NDIS, how participant plans are developed, how some supports are funded and how providers operate.
The Government says these changes are intended to ‘improve the long-term sustainability of the Scheme’ while ensuring it continues to support people with permanent and significant disability.
The Government has released this information as guidance for participants and providers, however it is important to note that many of these changes rely on the NDIS Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill becoming law.
At this stage, the Bill has not yet been passed by Parliament.
Some of the key proposed changes include:
- New eligibility assessments from 2028 – People applying to the NDIS would complete a standardised functional capacity assessment, with eligibility based on how their disability affects everyday life.
- Reassessment of current participants – People already receiving NDIS support would be progressively reassessed against the new eligibility criteria over a three-year period from 2028.
- Changes to participant funding – Funding for some social, civic and community participation supports and some capacity building supports would be reduced as plans are renewed or reassessed. The Government says funding for critical daily living supports would not change.
- A new planning process – Participants would gradually move to a new planning framework, with support needs assessments used to inform plan budgets.
- Changes for some children – Children aged 8 and under with developmental delay or autism and lower support needs would instead access support through a proposed new program called Thriving Kids, while children with permanent and significant disability or higher support needs would remain eligible for the NDIS.
- Changes for providers – New registration, enrolment and payment requirements would apply to many providers over the coming years.ow plan management and support coordination services are delivered
The Government has announced that consultation will take place on a number of reforms, including the new planning framework, functional capacity assessments, Supported Independent Living (SIL), support coordination, pricing reforms and the proposed Inclusive Communities Fund.
The new Technical Advisory Group (TAG) was announced in July to provide independent advice to Government on a more consistent and evidence-based approach to assessing functional capacity for NDIS access. The group is made up of clinical experts, researchers and people with lived experience of disability.
According to the published information, consultation on several reforms will begin during the second half of 2026, with some proposed changes scheduled to begin before others.
The Bill has not yet passed, which means the proposed reforms are not yet law. As the Bill continues through the parliamentary process, these proposals remain subject to legislative approval and may change.
The Government says some reforms would begin soon after the legislation is passed, while others would be introduced progressively between 2026 and 2030 to allow time for consultation and implementation.
PWDA will continue to monitor the progress of the legislation and consultation processes and will keep members informed as more information becomes available.
You can read the Government’s full information about the proposed NDIS reforms on the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing website.
Key proposed NDIS changes
The Government has outlined a number of proposed changes to the NDIS. If the legislation is passed, the reforms would be introduced over several years.
Some of the most significant proposed changes include:
New eligibility assessments from 2028
From 1 January 2028, new applicants would be assessed using a standardised functional capacity assessment. The focus would be on how a person’s disability affects their everyday life, rather than their diagnosis alone.
Existing participants would be reassessed
Current NDIS participants would gradually be reassessed against the new eligibility criteria over a three-year period, beginning in 2028.
Changes to some participant budgets
From October 2026, funding for some social, civic and community participation supports and some capacity building supports would be reduced as plans are renewed or reassessed. The Government says funding for critical daily living supports would not change.
A new planning process
From April 2027, participants would gradually move to a new planning framework. A support needs assessment would be used to help determine budgets based on a person’s functional capacity, life stage and circumstances.
Changes for young children
The Government has proposed that some children aged 8 and under with developmental delay or autism and lower support needs would no longer access the NDIS from 2028. Instead, they would receive support through a new program called Thriving Kids. Children with permanent and significant disability or higher support needs would remain eligible for the NDIS.
Changes for providers
Higher-risk support providers would be required to register with the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission. There would also be new enrolment, payment and record-keeping requirements.
New arrangements for plan management and support coordination
The Government proposes changing how plan management and support coordination services are delivered, with providers selected through new government processes rather than funded directly through participant plans.
Consultation is still to come
The Government says consultation will take place on many of these reforms, including the new planning framework, eligibility assessments, Supported Independent Living (SIL), support coordination and pricing reforms.
Reasonable. Necessary Ordinary
PWDA launched our Reasonable. Necessary. Ordinary campaign to show government and the general public the true cost of these reforms.
More than 150 people have shared their own stories of what the NDIS supports in their lives. Read their stories: