NDIS Sector Update – 23/01/26
Update – A new way of planning
From mid-2026, the NDIS planning process will begin changing to make it fairer, more consistent, and easier for participants.
This new approach is called new framework planning.
Find out more on the NDIS website.
Public consultation on new framework planning rules
The Australian Government is making changes to the NDIS to improve the experience for participants and ensure the Scheme is fairer, more transparent, sustainable, and person-centred.
New framework planning is expected to start from mid‑2026. It will be a phased introduction so many participants will not experience any change for some time. Importantly, new plans will continue to be approved by real people.
Work is underway to develop the rules for how the new framework planning will work.
The rules for the new framework planning will set out the process for creating NDIS plans.
Consultation now open
The Government is seeking feedback from NDIS participants and the disability community to make sure they get the rules right.
How to get involved
Provide your input by filling out a survey or making a submission by 6 March 2026.
For more information about the consultation, visit the consultation page.
To find out more information about new framework planning, visit the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing website.
NDIS news
NDIA Board Chair
The Australian Government has reappointed Mr Kurt Fearnley AO as Chair of the NDIA Board.
Mr Fearnley, an accomplished Australian Paralympian and disability advocate, became the first person with disability to serve as Chair of the NDIA Board when he was appointed to the role in September 2022. Mr Fearnley’s new term as NDIA Board Chair will commence on 17 January 2026 for a period of 3 years.
Under the NDIS Act 2013, the NDIA Board is responsible for overseeing the strategic direction, governance and performance of the NDIS.
For more information on the NDIA Board, visit the NDIS website.
3-year pricing workplan
The NDIA has released the 3-year pricing workplan. This plan explains how NDIS prices will be set to support participants and keep the market strong.
The workplan shows what pricing reviews are coming and when. It aims to balance short-term market needs with decisions based on data that look at the whole system.
Each year, the workplan builds on the evidence, reviews and implementation readiness achieved in the previous year.
The focus for year one (2025 to 2026) is on making targeted changes backed by evidence. At the same time, the NDIA will start research and trials to prepare for bigger changes in the future. This approach gives quick improvements now and better changes later, based on solid data.
The plan was developed with the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission and the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing. It also includes feedback from governments, provider groups, advisory bodies, and organisations that represent participants.
Pricing work will stay in line with Commission reforms. These reforms aim to improve provider practices, make service standards clear, and strengthen protections for participants.
Read the full pricing workplan on the NDIS website.
Have your say
NDIS pricing
A reminder that consultation for the 2025–26 Annual Pricing Review is open, and we want to hear from you.
NDIS participants, providers, and the wider disability community are invited to share feedback on NDIS pricing arrangements. Your input helps shape decisions about price limits and ensures they reflect the diversity of supports and participant needs.
How to participate
To read the Terms of Reference, access consultation papers, and complete the survey, visit NDIS Engage.
Closing date
Surveys are open now until 11:59pm AEST, 8 February 2026.
Improving service agreements
We’re working with the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission to explore what guidance and materials could make service agreements easy to understand, fair, and supportive for everyone.
Service agreements are an important part of the NDIS, but we know they can feel complex or unclear.
We want to hear your ideas so we can help support the development of clear, easy to understand, and trusted service agreements.
To learn more and have your say, visit NDIS Engage.
Closing date
Surveys are open now until 11:59pm AEST Tuesday, 24 February 2026.
NDIS pathway for children and young people
In 2026, we will run engagement activities to design a better NDIS pathway for children and young people.
This new pathway will make it easier for families to find supports, plan for the future, and access services.
Your feedback will help us design this pathway and improve how we communicate with families.
Who we want to hear from?
We want to hear from:
- parents, carers, or child representatives of NDIS participants aged 0 to 17
- young people aged 18 to 25 who were NDIS participants before turning 18
- nominees of young people aged 18 to 25 with experience in the children’s pathway.
These are all paid opportunities.
To learn more and have your say, visit NDIS Engage.
Disability sector news
Registrations now open – Australia’s Disability Strategy 2026 National Forum
Registrations are now open for Australia’s Disability Strategy National Forum.
Australia’s Disability Strategy 2021–2031 (the Strategy) is our national commitment to improve the lives of people with disability.
The 2-day National Forum is your chance to learn, share experiences, and gain insights on health and safeguarding. Your ideas can influence the ongoing implementation of the Strategy.
There will be keynote speakers and opportunities to join interactive panels and Q&A sessions.
You can attend the event in person at the Adelaide Convention Centre, or online via livestream.
This is a free event, and funded bursaries are available for people with disability to help cover attendance costs at the National Forum.
To learn more and register, visit Australia’s Disability Strategy website, or email pwd@pwd.org.au for more information.
Registrations close 13 February 2026.
Definition for NDIS Providers consultation
This consultation focuses on the redesign of the legislative definition of an NDIS provider, as recommended by the NDIS Provider and Worker Registration Taskforce.
There are 6 questions on areas of specific interest to assist you with your submission. These questions are a guide only.
The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing will review all submissions.
To learn more and share your thoughts, visit the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing website.
Thriving Kids report now available
The Standing Committee on Health, Aged Care and Disability have released a report on 22 December 2025 with recommendations relating to the Thriving Kids initiative.
To read the report and learn more, visit the Parliament of Australia website.
To find out more about the Thriving Kids initiative, please visit the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing website.
Co-design updates
We are committed to being transparent and providing regular updates on the progress of our co-design program.
You can learn more about the meetings we’ve held recently and the work we’ve progressed with the disability community to improve the NDIS by visiting our co-designing reform NDIS Engage project pages:
Co-design Advisory Group meeting summary – November 2025
The summary from the 12 November 2025 meeting of the Co-design Advisory Group is now available on the NDIS website.
Members discussed:
- updating the NDIA Engagement Framework
- a reflection on co-design in 2025
- the role of the Co-design Advisory Group.
Independent Advisory Council updates
Independent Advisory Council meeting bulletin
The Independent Advisory Council (IAC) met in Hobart and online on 2-3 December 2025. At the meeting, Council members:
- shared what they have heard in their communities
- welcomed Mr Graeme Head, NDIA Chief Executive Officer
- received an update on Foundational Supports and Thriving Kids
- heard from Senator the Hon Jenny McAllister, Minister for the NDIS.
Principal Member Leah van Poppel led the meeting.
Find out more on the IAC website.
Children, Young People and Families Reference Group meeting bulletin
The Children, Young People and Families Reference Group (Reference Group) met online on 24 November 2025. At the meeting, they discussed:
- what they have heard in their communities
- an update on the Thriving Kids initiative
- an update on IAC Advice.
Principal Member Leah van Poppel and Reference Group Co-chair Lorna Hallahan led the meeting.
Find out more on the IAC website.
Advisory and reference group updates
Autism Advisory Group
The summary for the 8 October 2025 meeting of the Autism Advisory Group is now available on the NDIS website.
The focus of the meeting was:
- Navigators
- NDIS Pathway for Children.
NDIS events
Understanding the NDIS webinar series: NDIS access and eligibility
Applying to the NDIS means taking steps to find out if you can become a participant and start receiving supports under the Scheme. There’s a process to follow when you apply.
In this presentation we will cover:
- an overview of the NDIS Eligibility criteria
- evidence you need
- how the application process works
- who can help you apply.
Our speaker will also explain recent changes to legislation and how they impact people applying to the NDIS.
Session date
- Tuesday, 10 February 2026
For session time and to register for the session, visit our Humanitix page.
Understanding the NDIS webinar series: Self-management
Self-management means you manage your NDIS funding.
This gives you control and responsibility for arranging and paying for the supports in your plan. It’s a great way to tailor your supports to meet your needs and achieve your goals.
In this presentation we will cover:
- what self-management is
- when a person can’t self-manage
- tips for self-managing well
- directly engaging staff
- avoiding common mistakes.
Session date
- Wednesday, 18 February 2026
For session time and to register for the session, visit our Humanatix page.
Understanding the NDIS webinar series: Assistive technology
When we talk about assistive technology, we mean equipment, technology, and devices that help you do things you can’t do because of your disability.
In this presentation we will cover:
- what assistive technology is
- how it can support independence and safety
- examples of assistive technology
- how to access assistive technology through the NDIS.
Session date
- Thursday, 26 February 2026
For session time and to register for the session, visit our humanitix page.
Community and Stakeholder Update video – December 2025
Our video of the December Community and Stakeholder Update is now available on YouTube.
This video includes AUSLAN translation and captioning.
You are welcome to share this with your members. Thank you to stakeholders who provided us with feedback about how to make our updates more accessible.
NDIS Sector Update – 14/01/26
Changes were made to the NDIS Act in 2024 to enable a new way of planning. This will include support needs assessments and more consistent decision-making and funding to meet the disability support needs of participants. To put these changes into practice from mid-2026, new NDIS rules will need to be developed.
The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing is working with the NDIA, state and territory governments, and the disability community to develop new framework planning rules. These rules will guide how NDIS plans are created under a new planning approach.
They expect the new framework planning to start from mid-2026 and roll out gradually over several years.
The department will seek feedback from NDIS participants and the disability community to make sure they get the rules right. Public consultation is expected to open next week and will be published on the department’s consultation page.
To find out more information about new framework planning, visit the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing website.
This round of consultation builds on the feedback heard in joint NDIA and Department of Health, Disability and Ageing webinars last year on new framework planning rules. You can learn more about this feedback in the NDIS new framework planning: what we’ve heard report on the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing website.