November 2025

NDIA Sector Update – 28/11/25

A new way of planning coming mid-2026

The Australian Government is improving NDIS planning to make it fairer and easier. This is called new framework planning.

New framework planning will start rolling out in mid-2026. It will take about 5 years to reach everyone.

This means some participants won’t experience the new way of planning for several years. We’ll provide clear information and support to participants, providers and the disability sector before any changes happen.

The new way of planning will use a support needs assessment to help set a participant’s budget.

The support needs assessment is a guided conversation about a participant’s life, goals, and support needs. Family, carers or supporters can join.

Other details of new framework planning are being finalised. We’ll keep sharing updates about this on the NDIS website.

Find out more on the NDIS website.

Tougher penalties for bad actors under new NDIS Bill

The Australian Government has introduced a Bill to Parliament that would give greater powers to the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission. If passed, the changes aim to improve the quality of care and the safety of every Australian who receives support from the NDIS. The proposed reforms are designed to protect NDIS participants from abuse, neglect, exploitation and fraud, and to ensure the Scheme is sustainable.

Find out more on the NDIS website.

NDIS news

Annual Pricing Review 2025-26: Consultation now open

NDIS participants, providers and the wider disability community have been invited to have their say on NDIS pricing, as part of consultation for the 2025-26 Annual Pricing Review.

You can do so by visiting NDIS Engage.

The NDIA is responsible for setting price limits for services provided to NDIS participants. The Annual Pricing Review is the evidence-based process for setting price limits and examining pricing arrangements.

We are committed to meaningful consultation which genuinely influences decision-making about whether pricing adjustments are warranted and, if so, how that happens.

For the first time, we have shared the areas the Annual Pricing Review will focus on in the upcoming review as part of the consultation process.

This gives participants, providers, and the broader community the opportunity to provide meaningful, targeted feedback, which we will incorporate into our final recommendations.

The Annual Pricing Review 2025-26 will examine pricing arrangements across 5 key support categories:

• Supports delivered by disability support workers
• Therapy supports
• Support coordination
• Plan management
• Social, Community, and Civic Participation

This year’s Annual Pricing Review will also explore whether pricing can better reflect the diversity of supports, service settings, and participant needs. It will consider whether price limits should vary based on factors such as provider registration, experience, qualifications, and participant outcomes.

This is part of our commitment to release Annual Pricing Review recommendations earlier than previous years to give participants and their families, and providers more notice about any pricing adjustments.

Through the Annual Pricing Review, we assess and update our pricing arrangements to make sure they:

• deliver value for money for participants
• support fair and consistent participant outcomes
• enable sustainable growth of the NDIS market
• encourage the delivery of high-quality, innovative supports.

Price limits and pricing arrangements are set based on a range of factors, including supply and demand in the market, prices in other markets and broader economic factors.

Feedback is open until 11.59pm AEDT on 8 February 2026.

Find out more on NDIS Engage.

Updated NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits 2025-26

The updated NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits 2025-26 and supporting documents, released in October 2025 came into effect on 24 November 2025. This includes the new price limit for art and music therapies.

NDIS providers, participants and their families and carers are encouraged to review the pricing arrangements page for all up-to-date pricing information and documents.

Visit the Pricing arrangements page to download the updated NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits 2025-26 and support catalogues.

Quality supports therapy pilot

Our website is now updated with more information about the recently announced quality supports therapy pilot.

This includes details about providers who meet the eligibility criteria described in the Grant Opportunity Guidelines to apply for a grant under the pilot. Only providers who meet the criteria set out in the Grant Opportunity Guidelines have been invited to apply.

Find out more on the NDIS website.

Latest Quarterly Report published

We’ve published the Quarter 1 2025-26 Quarterly Report.

Our quarterly reports provide the disability ministers with information, including statistics about participants in each jurisdiction and the funding or provision of supports by the NDIA in each jurisdiction.

Find out more on the NDIS website.

NDIS After Hours Crisis Referral Service

The NDIS After Hours Crisis Referral Service (AHCRS) is delivered by Marathon Health in partnership with the NDIA.

The AHCRS is a national after-hours service that provides immediate support to NDIS participants experiencing a crisis due to the sudden loss of disability-related supports.

Find out more on the NDIS website.

Festive season 2025-26 contact information

We’ve published information about our availability throughout the reduced activity period from 24 December 2025 to 2 January 2026.

This includes information on:

• NDIS office hours
• National Contact Centre
• partner office hours
• scheduled payments for participants
• scheduled payment runs for providers.

Find out more on the NDIS website.

Disability sector news

NDIS Evidence Advisory Committee – public consultation

The NDIS Evidence Advisory Committee has opened a consultation for the following supports:

• Art therapy
• Functional electrical stimulation
• Hyperbaric oxygen therapy as a disability support
• Music therapy
• Prosthetics with microprocessors
• Therapy suits

Whether you use these supports, research them, use other supports for similar goals, or have views you want to share – the Committee want to hear from you.

The Committee will use research evidence, data analysis and consultation feedback to provide advice to Government. This advice will help improve participant outcomes and strengthen the NDIS.

Provide your input by filling out a survey or making a submission by 20 January 2026.

Find out more on the Department of Health Disability and Ageing website.

Australian Bureau of Statistics – Disability Data Measures Project

The Australian Bureau of Statistics, together with the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing has released the findings of the Disability Data Measures Project.

The project:

• responds to recommendation 12.5 of the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability

is aimed to identify and recommend a consistent method for collecting disability data in population surveys across Australia.

A summary report is available in an Easy Read version, a Plain Language version, and an Auslan video on YouTube.

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 the Co-design page on NDIS Engage.

You can now view the most recent meeting summary for the Participant Safeguarding Co-design Working Group.

We recently published a ‘What we have heard’ report from focus groups held around the new way of planning.

To read the report and find out more visit NDIS Engage.

Independent Advisory Council updates

Independent Advisory Council meeting bulletin

The Independent Advisory Council (IAC) met online on 5 November 2025. At the meeting, they discussed:

• what they have heard in their communities
• the Agency’s complaints process
• an update from the NDIS Fraud Fusion Taskforce
• an update on the IAC’s Home and Living advice.

Find out more on the IAC website.

Equity and Inclusion Reference Group meeting bulletin

The IAC Equity and Inclusion Reference Group met online on 19 November 2025. At the meeting, members discussed:

• what they have heard in their communities
• an update on inclusion strategies
• an update on IAC advice.

Find out more on the IAC website.

NDIS events

New way of planning webinar series for the disability sector

We invite you to register for a webinar on the new way of planning and the support needs assessment process. This will be co-hosted with the Department of Health, Disability, and Ageing.

You’ll hear from experts who’ll explain:

•  what’s changing
• why it matters
• how it’ll affect participants.

Our webinar will cover implementation of new participant plans on 9 December at 11am AEST.

This webinar includes a short presentation followed by an interaction Q&A with our experts.

Find out more and register for a session visit our Humanitix page.

Understanding the NDIS: Overview of changes to the NDIS for participants, families and carers

This session helps inform participants, families and carers about the changes to NDIS legislation and what they mean.

This presentation will help attendees understand:

• what’s new
• what has changed
• what is still to come.

Session dates

• Thursday 4 December, 12pm to 1pm AEST
• Wednesday 10 December, 10am to 11am AEST

Find out more and register for a session, visit our Humanitix page.

NDIA Sector Update – 17/11/25

Foundational Supports – consultation reports released

The Department of Social Services has released several reports summarising national consultations held in 2024 about the design and delivery of Foundational Supports. These include reports on general supports, supports for children under 9, First Nations perspectives and disability advocacy. These reports outline what people said was working well, what needs to change and how supports could be delivered in future.

To read the reports, visit the Department of Social Services website.

Thriving Kids initiative

A parliamentary inquiry into the Thriving Kids initiative is underway. The Minister referred the inquiry to the House Standing Committee on Health, Aged Care and Disability on 2 September 2025. The most recent public hearing was held on 7 November, with another scheduled for 17 November. The final report is expected before the end of 2025.
The Thriving Kids Expert Advisory Group also met on 7 November. The communique from this meeting is available on the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing website. The group will meet again in early December to finalise its advice on the design of the initiative.

The Disability Reform Ministerial Council met on 7 November and discussed the Thriving Kids initiative. You can read the communique on the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing website.

New NDIA CEO

A new NDIA Chief Executive Officer, Graeme Head, has been appointed following an open recruitment process. He will commence on 24 November. Scott McNaughton will continue as acting CEO until then.

Quality Supports Therapy Pilot

A new 12-month pilot has opened for eligible therapy providers as part of the Quality Supports Program. Starting in November 2025, the pilot will help the NDIA better understand the costs and characteristics of high-quality therapy services. Findings will help strengthen the NDIS pricing model and support a diverse, high-quality provider market that meets participant needs.

To find out more or apply for a grant, visit GrantConnect.

Remote Service Delivery Framework

The NDIA has worked with remote communities to design the new Remote Service Delivery Framework. It aims to support respectful, inclusive and community led service delivery across remote areas.

The Framework and accessible versions will be published soon on the NDIS website.

NDIA Gender Equity Action Plan

The NDIA has released its Gender Equity Action Plan. The plan outlines actions to ensure all staff, regardless of gender, are treated fairly, equally and with respect, and to support a safe and inclusive workplace culture.

More information is available on the NDIS website.

Dog Guide Provider List

Expressions of interest are open for Dog Guide providers who want to join the new Dog Guide Provider List. This list is part of broader reforms to support participants to access high quality, evidence based services. The expression of interest period closes on 3 December 2025 at 5 pm AEDT.

To learn more or apply, visit the NDIS website and NDIS Engage.

Inclusive Employment Australia

A new specialist disability employment program, Inclusive Employment Australia, began on 1 November 2025. It supports people with disability, injury or health conditions to find and keep work and develop their careers.

• • Key changes include:
    No minimum work capacity requirement. The previous 8-hour minimum has been replaced with a range of zero to 7 hours

• • Participants no longer need to receive government payments to join the program

• • The 2-year service limit has been removed, allowing ongoing support where needed

• • Support now includes intensive and flexible service options depending on individual needs

The new program will contribute to the implementation of Australia’s Disability Strategy 2021-2031 (external) and the NDIS Participant Employment Strategy (external).

These changes reflect recommendations from the NDIS Review and the Disability Royal Commission. More information is available on the Department of Social Services website.

Improving support for unpaid carers

The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing is seeking feedback from unpaid carers as part of the National Carer Strategy. Carers are invited to complete an online survey about what supports they need, including counselling, mental health services and respite. The survey closes 19 November 2025 at 11.59 pm.

To participate, visit the National Carer Strategy survey page.

International Day of People with Disability 2025 ambassadors

Six national ambassadors for the 2025 International Day of People with Disability have been announced. They will promote disability inclusion in the lead-up to 3 December.

Read more on the NDIS website.

Disability Safeguards consultation

The Government is seeking input from the disability community to update the Disability Support Quality and Safeguarding Framework and the Disability Support Ecosystem Safeguarding Strategy. Consultation runs until 22 December 2025.

To take part, visit the Disability Safeguards Consultation page.

NDIA Annual Report 2024-25

The NDIA Annual Report has been tabled in Parliament. It covers participant stories, major reforms, legislation changes, financial results, workforce inclusion, integrity and partner organisation updates.

You can download the report from the NDIS website.

Community and Stakeholder Update video

A new accessible monthly update is now available as a video with Auslan translation.

You can view it on the NDIS website.

Co-design updates

The NDIA has published updates about recent co-design work with the disability community,.

You can learn more about the meetings they’ve held recently and the work they’ve progressed with the disability community to improve the NDIS by visiting the NDIS Engage, Co-design page.

You can now view the most recent meeting summary for Early Intervention Pathway children under 9.

Independent Advisory Council updates

The Intellectual Disability Reference Group met in Brisbane and online on 22 and 23 October. They discussed community insights, supported decision making and current IAC advice.