NDIS changes coming in 2027 and 2028
The NDIS continues to evolve, with further changes expected to roll out over the next 12–18 months and beyond.
Following the changes coming throughout this second half of 2026, the next stages of NDIS reform will affect areas including plan renewals, unspent funding, reasonable and necessary supports, planning processes and how people access the Scheme.
While not every change will affect every participant straight away, understanding what’s ahead can help you feel more prepared and confident about your NDIS journey.
Here’s what we know so far…
From February 2027: Changes to plan renewals
From February 2027, plan renewals will begin to replace the current process of plan continuations.
When your NDIS plan is due to be reassessed, one of two things may happen:
Your plan may be reassessed by an NDIA planner; or
A new plan may be created with the same supports as your existing plan.
An important change is that unspent funds from your previous plan will not roll over into your new plan.
This makes it increasingly important to understand your funding, keep track of how your budget is being used and ensure your supports continue to align with your needs and goals.
Your Support Coordinator can help you understand your plan, monitor your funding and prepare for upcoming changes or reassessments.
Changes to reasonable and necessary supports
The way the NDIA determines what is considered a reasonable and necessary support will also change.
New criteria will be introduced to guide decisions about which supports can be funded through an NDIS plan.
For participants and families, this may mean some funding decisions are considered differently as plans are reassessed under the new requirements.
Keeping clear information and evidence about your support needs, goals and circumstances will continue to be important when preparing for a reassessment.
What will change for children and families?
There will also be clearer guidelines about the support parents are ordinarily expected to provide to a child.
This may include areas such as supervision, personal care, transport, emotional support and behavioural support.
Importantly, this does not mean families are expected to provide disability-related support beyond what would ordinarily be expected of a parent.
The NDIS can still consider the additional support a child requires because of their disability compared with a child of a similar age without disability.
These changes will initially apply to new participants and will gradually apply to existing participants as they move through their usual reassessments.
From April 2027: A new way of planning
From April 2027, the NDIA will begin introducing its new planning framework.
This will not happen for everyone at once. The transition is expected to take approximately four years, with participants progressively moving onto new framework plans.
If you are an existing participant, you should receive further information before you move to the new planning process.
With such a long transition period, two participants may experience different planning processes depending on where they are in the rollout. If you're unsure which process applies to you, your Support Coordinator can help you understand what to expect.
From January 2028: Changes to accessing the NDIS
Changes to how people access the NDIS are expected to begin from January 2028.
Under the future approach, access decisions will focus on how a person's disability affects their ability to undertake everyday activities.
A Technical Advisory Group has been established to provide advice on the assessment approach that will support these decisions, with opportunities for public input also expected.
Importantly, people with permanent and significant disability will continue to be able to access the NDIS.
More information about the new access process is expected as we get closer to implementation.
What should NDIS participants do now?
There is no need to panic or make immediate changes to your supports simply because these reforms are coming.
However, now is a good opportunity to make sure you understand your current plan, know how your funding is being used and keep relevant evidence about your disability, support needs and goals up to date.
As the new processes are introduced, having good records and a clear understanding of how your supports help you in everyday life may make it easier to navigate conversations about your plan.
Most importantly, remember that these changes are being introduced gradually. You won't necessarily move onto a new planning process as soon as it becomes available.
We’re here to help you navigate the changes
We know that changes to the NDIS can sometimes feel overwhelming, particularly when you're unsure what they mean for your funding or supports.
As further details about the 2027 and 2028 reforms become available, we'll continue to keep you informed and help you understand what they mean for you.
Have questions about your NDIS plan or upcoming changes? Get in touch with our team to find out how we can support you.
