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April 2026

NDIA Sector Update – 17/04/26

Tough new laws to protect the NDIS

The Government’s National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Integrity and Safeguarding) Bill 2025 will become law after it passed the Parliament on 1 April 2026.

It delivers tough new laws to protect people with a disability and safeguard the NDIS from exploitation.

Learn more about the new laws on the NDIS website.

Evaluation of changes to NDIS supports and funding

We are evaluating recent changes to NDIS supports lists, total funding amounts, funding component amounts and funding periods.

This evaluation is part of our ongoing commitment to improving the NDIS through evidence and insights.

You can read the report on the NDIS data and research website.

NDIS news

Latest school leaver employment report now available

We are focused on improving employment outcomes for participants, especially young people transitioning from school to work. A key part of this is making sure participants get the right support to build work skills and find and keep a job.

The latest Provider Quarterly Report – School Leaver Employment is now available.

Key findings include:

  • Participation was highest in NSW (33%), Victoria (23%) and Queensland (18%).
  • Almost half of training time (47%) focused on building core work‑readiness skills.
  • 614 participants moved into paid employment, mostly working up to 21 hours per week in areas such as retail, hospitality, trades and manufacturing.

Read the latest report on the NDIS website.

Feedback on the report can be sent to participant.employment@ndis.gov.au.

Update to the NDIS participant newsletter

We’ve updated the NDIS participant newsletter. It’s now clearer and more accessible. These changes are based on participant feedback.

All participants and nominees who are not already subscribed will start getting the newsletter, unless they choose to unsubscribe.

The newsletter helps people better understand the NDIS. It’s one of the main ways we share updates directly with participants and nominees. This includes information about the new way of planning.

The NDIS website is the main source of information about the NDIS.

What’s happening:

Participants and nominees who are not already subscribed to the NDIS participant newsletter will receive a welcome email.

The welcome email explains:

    • what the newsletter is
    • how often it’s sent
    • how to unsubscribe.

After the welcome email, they will start getting the newsletter.

If someone is already subscribed nothing will change.

Getting the newsletter won’t affect a participant’s NDIS plan or supports.

Please share this information with your members and networks.

Have your say

Help us test support needs assessments

We are inviting NDIS participants to help us test parts of the new NDIS planning process.

In this engagement, you will take part in the new NDIS Support Needs Assessment in a safe practice environment.

A simulation Support Needs Assessment interview is a structured conversation about your life and the supports you use.

Feedback from testing will help us:

  •  improve the design and usability of the assessment and planning tools
  • make sure the new planning process is clear, fair, and works well for participants
  • understand how the budget model might work
  • find problems early and improve accuracy
  • support better decision making for assessors.

Important:

  • You will not receive a personal plan or budget outcome from this activity.
  • This will not affect your current NDIS plan or funding.
  • Engagement activities will run from April to June 2026.
  • Expressions of interest close Sunday, 3 June 2026.

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

Improving the Disability Sector Update

There is still time to provide your feedback on the Disability Sector Update newsletter.

We want to hear your thoughts on the information we provide in this newsletter, to help us make improvements and better support you and your members.

Our survey is open until Monday, 27 April 2026.

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

Your experience with NDIS Engage

We’ve extended our survey seeking your feedback on NDIS Engage.

This survey is now open until Thursday, 30 April 2026.

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

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

Engagement reminders

Disability sector news

National Disability Data Asset Council: First Annual Report now available

The National Disability Data Asset Council has released its first Annual Report to Disability Ministers.

It outlines progress from 1 July 2024 to 30 June 2025.

To learn more visit the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing website.

People with disability appointed to advise the NDIS regulator

The NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission have announced a refreshed Advisory Council comprised of disability advocates and reformers.

Advisory Council members include people with disability, or people who have lived experience of disability, selected through a national Expressions of Interest process.

To learn more visit the NDIS Commission website.

Co-design updates

Assessments and Budgeting Working Group

The Assessments and Budgeting Working Group met on 2 April 2026. They discussed three support needs assessment resources. These included 1 resource for participants and 2 conversation guides for assessors.

Members appreciated how mindfully the resources were put together and offered feedback to further improve these resources.

The next focus will be on evaluation to help improve future work.

Participant Pathway Experience Working Group

The Participant Pathway Experience Working Group met on 9 April 2026.

They discussed Service Guidance materials to support the new way of planning, including possible new resources to help participants and assessors prepare for an assessment meeting. The group shared their ideas and feedback.

The group talked about how safe, strengths-based conversations are important for support needs assessment outcomes.

They also talked through how documents could help participants prepare for the support needs assessment.

Upcoming Co-design Working Group meetings

First Nations Participant and Carer Consultation Group – 21 May 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 updates

Independent Advisory Council Equity and Inclusion Reference Group

The bulletin from the Independent Advisory Council (IAC) Equity and Inclusion Reference Group meeting, held 11 March 2026, is now available in Easy Read.

To download the Easy Read bulletin, visit the IAC website.

Advisory and reference group updates

Supported Decision Making Advisory Group meeting summary

The summary of the 13 February 2026 meeting of the Supported Decision Making Advisory Group is now available.

The focus of the February meeting was:

  • a review of the 2026 Workplan
  • an update on the Supported Decision Making pathway.

Find the full meeting summary on the NDIS website.

Self-Management Advisory Group meeting summary

The summary of the 19 March 2026 meeting of the Self-Management Advisory Group (SMAG) is now available.

The focus of the March meeting was:

  • NDIA fraud and integrity update
  • new NDIS support needs assessment.

Find the full meeting summary on the NDIS website.

NDIS events

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.

In this session we will talk about:

  • 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
  • how to choose options that align with a young person’s aspirations, abilities, and interests.

Session dates:

  • Tuesday, 21 April 2026

To register, visit our Humanitix page.

New videos

Community and Stakeholder Update – April 2026

Our video of the April 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.

NDIA Sector Update – 02/04/26

NDIS news

NDIS commits to stronger action on Closing the Gap for First Nations people with disability

We have released a Statement of Commitment to the Australian Government’s National Agreement on Closing the Gap.

The Statement outlines how the NDIA will strengthen outcomes for First Nations people with disability, their families, carers and service delivery partners.

Read the full statement on the NDIS website.

Have your say

Take part in testing the new way of planning

We are inviting NDIS participants to help us test parts of the new NDIS planning process.

In this engagement, you will take part in the new NDIS Support Needs Assessment in a safe practice environment.

A simulation Support Needs Assessment interview is a structured conversation about your life and the supports you use.

You can read more about the new way of planning on the NDIS website.

Feedback from testing will help us:

  • improve the design and usability of the assessment and planning tools
  • make sure the new planning process is clear, fair, and works well for participants
  • find problems early and improve accuracy
  • support better decision making for assessors.

Important:

  • You will not receive a personal plan or budget outcome from this activity.
  • This will not affect your current NDIS plan or funding.

When: Interviews will run from April to June.

Where: Interviews can be online or in person at an NDIA office.

To apply please complete the help us test the new way of planning form.

To learn more visit NDIS Engage.

Allied health and continence services in Central West Queensland

We want to hear from NDIS participants and nominees to learn how allied health and continence services are accessed in Central West Queensland.

Members of Participant First can express their interest to take part in consultations in person or online, or provide a written submission.

We will contact you by Tuesday, 21 April 2026 if you are selected.

To find out more and express your interest, visit NDIS Engage.

Provider consultations

The NDIS is undergoing significant change.

We want to work with providers and receive your insights on what these changes mean for you, and how we can support you through the change process.

Providers can express interest to take part in:

  • testing new systems or tools
  • testing changes to NDIA systems, such as the my NDIS provider portal
  • group based consultations
  • one to one interviews
  • surveys.

To express your interest, visit NDIS Engage.

Improving the Disability Sector Update

We’re seeking your feedback on the Disability Sector Update newsletter.

We want to hear your thoughts on the information we provide in this newsletter and the format of the newsletter.

Your feedback will help us make improvements to the Disability Sector Update, and better support you and your members.

Our survey is open until Monday, 27 April 2026.

To learn more and give your feedback, visit NDIS Engage.

Engagement reminders

Disability sector news

New members to continue to drive Australia’s Disability Strategy forward

The Australian Government has announced 7 new appointments to Australia’s Disability Strategy 2021-2031 Advisory Council.

The mix of disability and health professionals, policy experts, advocates, and community members brings a wealth of lived experience and knowledge to the Council. This is essential to in making sure meaningful change is achieved.

The Council also offers input on priority policy areas, including education and learning, inclusive homes and communities, and safety, rights and justice.

Read the full statement on the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing website.

Co-design updates

Upcoming Co-design working group meetings

  • Assessments and Budgeting Working Group – 2 April 2026
  • Participant Pathway Experience Working Group – 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

Equity and Inclusion Reference Group

The Independent Advisory Council (IAC) Equity and Inclusion Reference Group met online on 11 March 2026. At the meeting, they discussed:

  • what they have heard in their communities
  • an update on the Agency’s emergency response improvements
  • the IAC’s Home and Living advice.

Find the full meeting bulletin on the IAC website.

Advisory and reference group updates

Rural and Remote Advisory Group

The Rural and Remote Advisory Group met on Wednesday, 4 February 2026.

The focus of the meeting was:

  • First Nations Market and Sector Strategy
  • Supported Needs Assessment tool and process.

Find the full meeting summary on the NDIS website.

NDIS events

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.

In this session we will talk about:

  • 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
  • how to choose options that align with a young person’s aspirations, abilities, and interests.

Session dates:

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

To register, visit our Humanitix page.

New videos

Assistive technology presentation video

A video recording of our assistive technology presentation is now available.

This video includes Auslan interpretation and captioning.

In this presentation we cover:

  • what assistive technology is
  • how it can support independence and safety
  • examples of assistive technology
  • how to access assistive technology through the NDIS.

Changing an NDIS plan presentation video

A video recording of our changing an NDIS plan presentation is now available.

This video includes Auslan interpretation and captioning.

In this presentation we cover:

  • when and why, a participant might need to change their 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 an NDIS plan continues to meet the participant’s needs.