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March 2026

NDIA Sector Update – 20/03/26

Quality Supports program – Therapy pilot commences

The Quality Supports Therapy Pilot has started.

This pilot will run for 12 months. It will help us learn what is needed to deliver good therapy services. This includes the work involved, the types of workers needed, and the results for participants.

Therapy providers taking part in the pilot will share up to $20 million in grants. They will work with us to help inform our decisions about future pricing.

You can find the list of participating therapy providers on the Quality supports program page on the NDIS website.

The Therapy Pilot is one of three pilots in the Quality Supports Program. The other two focus on Supported Independent Living and Support Coordination. All three will give us evidence to promote quality and sustainability across therapy markets.

This data will help identify key cost drivers and the characteristics of different delivery models and will be used to support subsequent review and design work across SIL and Therapy.

To learn more, visit the NDIS website.

If you have questions, email qualitysupportstherapypilot@ndis.gov.au.

$90 million to build stronger, more inclusive communities

The Australian Government is investing $90 million into improving the lives of Australians with disability, under the first phase of the new Information, Linkages and Capacity Building Program.

39 organisations were invited to participate in the Individual and Family Capacity Building 2025-26 grant opportunity, and 27 organisations were invited to participate in the Information, Advice and Referral 2025-26 grant opportunity.

View the list of successful organisations on the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing page.

Have your say

Help us test support needs assessment

We are looking for participants to help test the new NDIS support needs assessment process. In this engagement, you will take part in a simulated support needs assessment.

The simulated support needs assessment is a structured conversation about a participant’s life and the their support needs.

Taking part in the simulation will not impact your current NDIS plan.

You can read more about this new way of planning on our website Update on the new way of planning for the NDIS.

Engagement activities will run from Monday 23 March 2026 to June 2026.

To learn more and express your interest, visit NDIS Engage.

Your experience with NDIS Engage

We want to hear your feedback on using the NDIS Engage website.

NDIS Engage was created to make it easier for people to find and take part in NDIS engagement and consultation activities.

We want to understand how well the site works for different people, and where it can be improved.

We want to continue to improve NDIS Engage to make it as easy to use as possible.

To learn more and share your feedback, visit NDIS engage.

Engagement reminders

Co-design updates

Assessments and Budgeting working group

The Assessments and Budgeting working group met on 3 March 2026. It was the first meeting of the year.

Members reconnected and shared views on priorities for the new way of planning.

Co-chairs shared co-design working group updates which were discussed at the Quarterly Reform Forum held in February 2026.

This included a summary of what the Assessment and Budgeting working group has achieved, challenges it has faced, and its vision for the future.

The group discussed updates underway to the NDIA Engagement Framework and work planning.

Upcoming Co-design Working Group meetings

  • Participant Safeguarding Co-design Working Group – 23 March 2026
  • First Nations Participant and Carer Consultation Group – 26 March 2026
  • Assessments and Budgeting Working Group – 2 April 2026 (to be confirmed)
  • Navigator Co-design Working Group – 31 March 2026
  • Participant Pathway Experience – 9 April 2026

You can learn more about the meetings we’ve held recently and the work we’ve progressed with the disability community by visiting our Co-design NDIS Engage project pages:

Independent Advisory Council update

Children, Young People and Families Reference Group meeting – 11 February 2026

The bulletin from the Independent Advisory Council (IAC) Children, Young People and Families Reference Group meeting, held 11 February 2026, is now available in Easy Read.

For more information, read the:

Independent Advisory Council – 20 February 2026

The bulletin from the Independent Advisory Council (IAC) meeting, held 20 February 2026, is now available in Easy Read.

For more information, read:

Advisory and reference group updates

Children’s Expert Advisory Group Meeting – December 2025

The update for the 18 December 2025 meeting of the Children’s Expert Advisory Group is now available.

The focus of the meeting included:

  • updates on work to review the pricing of NDIS supports
  • early work developing a new support needs assessment approach for young children in the NDIS
  • outcomes from workshops held with members out of session.

To learn more, visit the NDIS website.

NDIS events

Understanding the NDIS Webinar Series: Community Connections

Community Connections are all about helping participants find the supports they need in their local community.

Community Connections are available for people with disability aged 9 to 64, even if they’re not eligible for the NDIS.

In this presentation, we will cover:

  • what Community Connections are and how they can help
  • how to find practical information about your disability or condition
  • ways to access support through mainstream and community services
  • how to connect with people who share similar experiences
  • support for applying to the NDIS, including help with submitting an NDIS access request.

Session date:

  • Thursday, 26 March 2026

For session time and to register for the session, visit our Humanitix page.

Understanding the NDIS webinar: Pathways to Post School life

When an NDIS participant leaves school, there are a range of pathways and supports that can help them transition smoothly into employment and adult life.

This session will explore the options available to young people whether they are aiming for open employment, further education, community participation, or building the skills they need for the next stage of their journey.

It will provide an overview of the NDIS supports that can help young people prepare for life after school and move confidently toward employment.

In this presentation, we will cover:

  • The types of NDIS supports that can assist with employment preparation
  • How to build skills and independence during the final years of school
  • Pathways available after school and how to choose options that align with a young person’s aspirations, abilities, and interests

This webinar is a valuable opportunity to gain clear, accessible information about the supports available and how to make the most of NDIS funding during the transition to adulthood.

Session dates:

  • Thursday, 9 April 2026
  • Wednesday, 15 April 2026
  • Tuesday, 21 April 2026

For session time and to register for the session, visit our Humanitix page.

New resources

Community and Stakeholder Update – March 2026

Our video of the March Community and Stakeholder Update is now available.

This video includes Auslan interpretation and captioning.

Our Community and Stakeholder Updates recap news, consultations and updates from across the NDIS.

Information in the Community and Stakeholder Update includes:

  • NDIS announcements, changes, policies, updates, and media coverage
  • other disability related updates and inclusive and accessible programs operating locally or nationally
  • local events, good news stories, consultations, and engagements
  • challenges and achievements with the wider disability network.

You are welcome to share this with your members.

NDIA Sector Update – 05/03/26

Participant engagement: new support needs assessment

From mid-2026, NDIS plans will be developed using a new support needs assessment.

To prepare for this change, they have started engaging directly with participants to test the new support needs assessment processes.

This work includes:

  • support needs assessment simulations with participants through our Design Hubs
  • mock support needs assessment interviews with participants to support assessor training and accreditation

They are now working with NDIA staff, Board, Independent Advisory Council and Participant Reference Group members who are also participants and nominees of adult participants (over 18), to take part in simulated support needs assessment interviews. These interviews form part of the training and accreditation for NDIA assessors.

They will start consulting on new guidelines this month. Participants and representative organisations will be invited to review the draft guidelines and give feedback.

If you or your networks would like to be involved in upcoming testing or engagement activities, visit NDIS engage.

Mandatory registration for supported independent living and platform providers

From 1 July 2026, all Supported Independent Living (SIL) and platform providers must register with the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission (NDIS Commission). This reform improves quality and safety. Registration means meeting the NDIS Practice Standards, safeguarding obligations, and showing provider competency.

Registration will also help the Commission identify issues early and reduce risks to participants and the Scheme. SIL and platform supports can carry higher risks without regulation, as identified by participants, families and carers, advocates, the Commission and other organisations.

The NDIA is working with the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission to make sure participants and providers are supported through these reforms.

Visit the frequently asked questions for updates and transition guidance.

NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission reform hub

The NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission is making changes to regulations to improve the quality and safety of support being delivered to NDIS participants.

A roadmap of the reform work is available in the NDIS Commission Regulatory Reform Roadmap.

The NDIA is working with the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission to make sure participants and providers have up to date information about these reforms.

Upcoming consultations

The NDIS Commission will be consulting on the following topics soon:

Learn more on the NDIS Commission Reform Hub.

NDIS news

Dog guide provider list

We have created a dog guide provider list to give participants better access to dog guide services and clear provider information.

This list helps participants make informed choices when picking a dog guide provider.

To view the list, visit the NDIS website.

Improving access in regional Western Australia

Thousands of people with disability in regional and remote Western Australia (WA) will get better access to NDIS supports through a Joint Work Program across the South West, Gascoyne, Great Southern, Wheatbelt and Goldfields-Esperance.

The NDIA and the WA Government will co-design with people with disability, families, carers and disability organisations to:

  • make it easier to access and use the NDIS
  • provide extra support for priority groups
  • help resolve problems with services outside the NDIS.

Read the Minister’s announcement on the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing website.

Engagement reminders

Disability sector news

Rare Disease Disability Toolkit

Rare Voices Australia (RVA) has co-designed the Rare Disease Disability Toolkit (the Toolkit) with people living with rare disease disability. RVA is the national peak body for Australians living with a rare disease.

The Toolkit:

  • includes new peer-to-peer supports
  • builds capacity in disability rights and self-advocacy
  • supports people to better access and navigate disability and other systems (such as health, education, and employment).

Read more about the toolkit on the Rare Voices website.

Better access to assistive technology in Western Australia

People with disability in Western Australia (WA) will get better access to affordable assistive technology through a $5 million Australian Government pilot.

The Assistive Technology Rental and Refurbishment Pilot, run nationally by Ability First Australia, is expanding to WA, where Ability WA will refurbish, recycle and distribute equipment.

People in WA can participate by contacting Ability WA or visiting AccessTech.

Read the Minister’s announcement on the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing website.

National Disability Research Partnership

People with disability will lead the next wave of disability research.

A $5 million funding round through the National Disability Research Partnership (NDRP) will fund projects led by and designed with people with disability, focusing on strengthening safety, improving accessibility and building more inclusive communities in line with the Disability Royal Commission’s recommendations.

Applications are now open and close 20 April 2026.

The Government will also fund a Leadership Program, with 14 participants receiving up to $30,000 to support postgraduate research, build peer networks and connect with disability sector organisations.

For more information about the grants and the initiatives visit National Disability Research Partnership.

Read the Minister’s announcement on the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing website.

Co-design updates

Quarterly Reform Forum

The Quarterly Reform Forum (QRF) met on 19 February 2026 in Melbourne and online. Attendees included representatives from Disability Representative and Carer Organisations (DRCOs), the Independent Advisory Council (IAC) and the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing.

The Forum received updates from co‑design working groups and briefings on:

  • the core assessment tool
  • the NDIS Rules public consultation
  • the NDIA’s Engagement Framework update
  • co-design and engagement work planning.

The next QRF will be held on 29 May 2026.

Participant Pathway Experience Co-design Working Group

The group met on 24 February 2026.

Members discussed when a participant may need to provide evidence as part of the new way of planning. Evidence would only be requested in exceptional circumstances.

The group provided advice on how to clearly explain:

  • why evidence is needed
  • what type of evidence is needed.

The Participant Safeguarding Co-design Working Group

The group met on 17 February 2026.

Members discussed how the Agency is using insights from the 2025 safeguarding workshops to:

  • inform policy
  • train staff
  • improve referral pathways
  • develop tools and resources about participant rights and safety.

The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing also provided an update on its Disability Quality and Safeguarding Framework.

Members agreed to take part in a consultation workshop in March, co‑facilitated with the NDIA Co‑design Branch.

The First Nations Participant and Carer Consultation Group

The group met on 26 February 2026.

Members discussed participant safeguarding. They reviewed insights from the 2025 safeguarding workshops and shared additional views to support cultural safety and equity for First Nations participants and carers.

The next meeting is scheduled for 26 March 2026.

Upcoming Co-design Working Group meetings

  • Assessments and Budgeting Co-design Working group on 3 March 2026
  • Optional information session: Briefing on the Participant Pathway and Support Needs Assessment on 5 March 2026
  • First Nations Participant and Carer Consultation Group on 26 March
  • Navigator Co-design Working Group on 31 March 2026

You can read more about recent meetings and the work we are doing with the disability community to improve the NDIS by visiting our Co-design NDIS Engage project pages:

Independent Advisory Council update

Meeting bulletin: 20 February 2026

The Independent Advisory Council (IAC) met online on 20 February 2026. At the meeting, they discussed:

  • what they have heard in their communities
  • an update from the CEO and Board Chair
  • advice currently in development on justice and home and living.

Read the full meeting bulletin on the IAC website.

NDIS events

Understanding the NDIS webinar series: Using your NDIS plan

When we talk about using an NDIS plan, we mean understanding how to make the most of the supports and funding available.

An NDIS plan is designed to help participants achieve their goals, increase independence, and improve their quality of life. Knowing how to use it effectively can make a big difference.

In this presentation, we will cover:

  • understanding support budgets and how funding can be used
  • what to expect at a plan implementation meeting
  • how to find providers and understand pricing arrangements
  • tips for managing a plan budget to stay on track.

Session date

  • Tuesday, 10 March 2026

For session time and to register for the session, visit our Humanitix page.

Understanding the NDIS webinar series: Changing your NDIS plan

The NDIS is designed to give participants the reasonable and necessary supports they need to build skills, maximise independence, and help them pursue their goals.

If a participant’s circumstances and needs change, their plan may also need to change.

In this presentation, we will cover:

  • when and why, you might need to change your plan
  • the difference between a plan variation and a plan reassessment
  • how to request a plan change and what to expect during the process
  • tips for making sure your plan continues to meet your needs.

Session date

  • Wednesday, 18 March 2026

For session time and to register for the session, visit our Humanitix page.

Understanding the NDIS webinar series: Community Connections

Community Connections are all about helping participants find the supports they need in their local community.

Community Connections are available for people with disability aged 9 to 64, even if they’re not eligible for the NDIS.

In this presentation, we will cover:

  • what Community Connections are and how they can help
  • how to find practical information about your disability or condition
  • ways to access support through mainstream and community services
  • how to connect with people who share similar experiences
  • support for applying to the NDIS, including help with submitting an NDIS access request.

Session date

  • Thursday, 26 March 2026

For session time and to register for the session, visit our Humanitix page.