22/04/2026
We understand that many people may have questions following the recent announcement from the Minister about proposed changes to the NDIS.
Full details are still being released, but below is a bit of a summary of what has been announced so far and what it may mean.
Key changes
1. Eligibility and reassessments
• The NDIS will focus more on a person’s daily support needs, not just their diagnosis
• This means they will look at how a person manages everyday life
• Over time, some participants may be asked to go through updated assessments, especially at plan reviews
• Getting into the NDIS is expected to become more structured, with less focus on diagnosis alone
2. Scheme growth and participant numbers
• The government wants NDIS growth to slow to about 2% per year
• This is part of making the scheme more sustainable long term
• It is expected that there may be fewer people in the NDIS over time compared to earlier predictions (around 160,000 fewer by 2030)
• This does NOT mean people are being removed straight away — it relates to slower entry and tighter rules over time
3. Stronger rules for access
• New participants will need to meet clearer and more consistent criteria
• The focus is on people with significant and ongoing disability support needs
• Decisions are expected to be more consistent across Australia
4. Funding and plan flexibility
• Plans are likely to have clearer funding categories
• This may mean less flexibility to move money between different types of supports
• There will be a stronger focus on making sure funding is used for disability-related supports
5. Thriving Kids program
• A new program called Thriving Kids is being developed for children with developmental concerns
• This program will support children outside of the NDIS
• Some children who may have used the NDIS in the past may instead access support through this program or other services
• More details are still to come
6. More checks and evidence
• More information or reports may be needed when asking for supports
• There will be stronger checks to make sure funding is used correctly
• Plan decisions are expected to be more consistent
What this means for you now
• There are no immediate changes to your current plan or supports
• You can keep using your supports as normal
• Changes will happen slowly over time
• Future plan reviews may look a bit different with new rules and processes
We know this can feel worrying, we are going to provide you with updates and information as soon as they are announced.
