NDIS Changes in 2025–26: What's New and What It Means for Participants

New legislation — the Getting the NDIS Back on Track reforms

The biggest NDIS changes in a decade arrived with the National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Getting the NDIS Back on Track No. 1) Act 2024, which passed Parliament in August 2024 and came into effect over 2025. Further amendments (Bill No. 2) passed in late 2025. Together, they represent the most significant legislative overhaul since the NDIS began.

The headline goals: ensure the NDIS remains financially sustainable, clarify what the NDIS does and doesn't fund, improve consistency in how plans are developed, and strengthen quality and safety safeguards. For participants, the practical effects are still unfolding as the NDIA implements the changes.

NDIS Supports In and Out Lists: Clearer Definitions Under 2025–2026 Reforms

One of the most significant changes is a new, clearer legal definition of what constitutes an "NDIS support." Previously, the legislation was broad and open to interpretation — leading to inconsistency and disputes. The new framework creates two lists:

• NDIS supports (in) — A list of supports the NDIS will fund. This covers disability-related daily living supports, therapies, assistive technology, home modifications, employment supports, behaviour support, and other items specifically defined in the legislation and rules.
• NDIS supports (out) — A list of supports the NDIS will not fund. This includes: general household items, everyday food and groceries, smartphones and tablets (unless as dedicated communication devices), standard rent or mortgage payments, mainstream education and health services, income replacement, and gambling or illegal activities.

The "in/out" lists aim to provide clarity, but they also mean some items previously funded on a case-by-case basis now have clearer boundaries. If you're unsure whether something is covered, your plan manager can confirm against the current definitions. For the full breakdown of what each category covers, see our complete list of NDIS support categories.

NDIS Longer Plans and Plan Rollovers in 2025–2026

The reforms are pushing toward longer NDIS plans — up to 5 years in some cases — with fewer full reassessments. The idea is to reduce the administrative burden on participants (and the NDIA) while providing more stability. Key points:

• Plans of 3–5 years are being introduced for participants with stable, ongoing support needs
• Check-ins (light-touch reviews) may happen during longer plans, but not full reassessments
• Plan rollovers (new plan, same content) are becoming more common for participants whose circumstances haven't changed significantly
• Flexible budgets mean you won't necessarily lose unspent funding at the end of your plan — the approach to underspend is evolving

NDIS Needs-Based Assessments and Independent Assessments

The reforms introduce a move toward needs-based assessments — a standardised functional assessment process that helps determine what level of funding a participant requires. Instead of funding being determined largely by the quality of reports submitted (which can vary dramatically), the new approach aims for more consistency:

• Standardised functional assessment tools are being rolled out to assess support needs consistently across all participants
• Independent assessments (conducted by NDIA-engaged assessors) are being introduced in some areas and for some participant groups
• Budgets based on need level — the goal is that two people with similar functional impairment in similar circumstances should receive similar funding, regardless of where they live or how persuasive their reports are

This has been controversial. Supporters say it will reduce the postcode lottery and report-shopping. Critics worry it won't capture individual circumstances. The rollout is gradual, and existing participants are unlikely to be affected immediately.

NDIS Provider Registration Changes 2025–2026

Another major change is the move toward mandatory registration for more NDIS providers — including, eventually, plan managers and support coordinators. Historically, plan managers could operate in some states without full NDIS registration. Under the reforms:

• Mandatory registration will apply to more provider types, with a tiered system based on risk
• Plan managers will face stronger registration requirements, including auditing and compliance checks
• Platform providers (online marketplaces connecting participants and workers) will have new obligations
• Worker screening requirements are being strengthened nationally

For participants, this means greater protection — but it may also reduce the number of unregistered providers you can use. If you currently use unregistered providers, ask your plan manager how the changing rules affect you.

What these changes mean for plan management

Plan management itself is changing. Here's what to expect:

• Stronger compliance — Plan managers will face more rigorous auditing and reporting requirements, which should improve quality standards across the industry
• Better data — The NDIA is investing in better systems for tracking plan spending, which means your plan manager will have more accurate and timely budget information
• Continued flexibility — Plan management remains a choice. You can still switch between self-management, plan management, and NDIA-managed at any time
• Easier switching — The ability to change plan managers without friction is expected to be reinforced under the new framework

The NDIS changes of 2025–26 are significant, but they don't change the fundamentals: if you have a plan-managed NDIS plan, you choose your providers, you control how your budget is spent (within the rules), and you have the right to switch plan managers at any time. Stay informed, ask questions, and don't assume everything is staying the same — it isn't. A good plan manager keeps you ahead of the changes. For more details, see our guides on NDIS plan extensions and rollovers, NDIS plan budgets, and the complete NDIS support categories list.