NDIA Sector Update – 12/06/26
NDIS reform
Help test the new way of planning
We’re sharing a new engagement opportunity for participants to take part in testing the new way of planning.
We’re asking you to promote this opportunity. Please use the attached poster and information in this update to share this with your members.
We’re inviting NDIS participants to help test the new way of planning before it rolls out from April 2027.
Participants who take part in testing can:
- experience what the new planning approach might be like
- share their feedback
- help improve how the process works for others
- help make planning fairer and more consistent.
Participant involvement helps us:
- find issues early
- understand what works
- make changes using real experience, not assumptions
- improve the new way of planning before it rolls out.
Feedback can shape processes, tools, and guidance. It cannot change the Government’s NDIS legislation or funding rules.
Taking part is voluntary and will not:
- change a participant’s current NDIS plan
- affect a participant’s future funding or eligibility
- impact a participant’s supports
- result in a new plan or budget.
Information shared during testing is only used to improve the process. It cannot be used to inform individual plans.
What we are testing
We’re testing key parts of the new way of planning, including:
- the information participants need to prepare for the support needs assessment
- how the assessment works for different participants
- how plan budgets are developed
- a participant’s overall experience.
We’re running 2 types of testing activities:
- Activity 1: Doing a simulated support needs assessment
- Activity 2: Helping train and accredit NDIA assessors who will complete support needs assessments in the future
Participants will be paid for taking part.
If participants need more information, they can call our dedicated number 1300 790 467.
- Participants can express their interest by visiting NDIS Engage.
- To find out more on the new way of planning visit NDIS website.
We will be expanding our work directly with sector organisations to help with targeted testing processes over the coming months.
We are currently working with Inclusion Australia and Down Syndrome Australia to design and test resources and processes for participants who use decision making supports.
About the new way of planning
To make sure participants, the community and sector are updated on the new way of planning, we have published information on NDIS Engage.
This page has information on:
- how we are engaging, consulting and testing
- closed consultations
- how to participate in engagement opportunities
- engagement testing and data.
We will continue to publish insights, feedback and updates on this page, so everyone can stay informed.
To find out more and stay updated visit NDIS Engage.
Securing the NDIS for future generations: Update on public consultation
In 2026, the Australian Government will consult on changes to secure the future of the NDIS, including:
- the design of a commissioning approach for home and living supports, for supported independent living participants who need 24/7 support
- expanding differentiated pricing for unregistered providers
- the design of the Inclusive Communities Fund
- market reforms for social and community participation and capacity building activities to ensure genuinely inclusive activities are available in the market
- updated new framework planning rules
- a new eligibility process to determine access to the NDIS.
Consultation will run from July to October in line with the reform timeline.
More specific dates will be provided soon.
To learn more and have your say about the changes, visit the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing Consultation Hub.
NDIS news
New participant dashboards
We are releasing 3 new dashboards to improve understanding of the profile and experience of participants across Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD), First Nations and Gender cohorts.
These dashboards are designed to provide deeper insights into the NDIS.
The dashboards will be published on Friday, 12 June 2026 to our Participant dashboards page.
Following this release, the dashboards will be updated on a 6‑monthly cycle each March and September.
This dashboard series includes summary reports and accompanying data downloads for 15 primary disability types, sharing key insights from NDIS data, including:
- participants – profiles including primary disability, age, cultural background and gender
- payments – total and average payments for supports by cohort, including breakdowns by age and supported independent living arrangements
- participant outcomes – outcomes for participants, families and carers, including measures at Scheme entry and over time
- participant experience – indicators such as ‘access met’ decisions, participant satisfaction and complaints
- providers – number of providers supporting participants and payments to providers by plan management type.
Find more of our data and insights on the NDIS data research website.
Fraud Fusion Taskforce Ethics Guide published
We have published the Fraud Fusion Taskforce Ethics Guide.
The Guide:
- outlines the approach, values, principles, and core standards to guide all work of the Taskforce
- provides a foundation to promote ethical behaviour and making ethical decisions.
This allows the Taskforce to operate with integrity, fairness, and accountability.
Find out more and read the Guide on the NDIS website.
Home and living decision letter retirement
From 9 June 2026 we will stop sending home and living support decision letters to participants.
By retiring the home and living decision letter, we hope to provide clearer and more consistent information.
Instead of having separate letters, participants will now be able to find all the information about their approved supports, including their home and living supports, in their NDIS plan. They should discuss this during plan and implementation meetings.
This change does not affect how we make decisions about home and living supports.
Participants who would like more information about anything in their NDIS plan or an explanation of a decision we’ve made, can contact us on 1800 800 110.
Good news story
Motor neurone disease Priority Pathway
We recently worked with motor neurone disease (MND) associations across Australia to better understand how the MND Priority Pathway is working in practice. The results are strongly positive.
The MND Priority Pathway was introduced in July 2024 to improve how the NDIS supports people living with MND. It aims to provide faster, more responsive support by:
- streamlining access and planning processes
- providing a dedicated specialist planner as a single point of contact
- supporting quicker responses as a person’s needs change.
The Priority Pathway reflects the nature of MND, where needs can change quickly and participants require timely support.
Working with the sector
To understand how the pathway is working, we held consultation sessions with MND associations across Australia. During May 2026:
- 53 representatives from MND associations took part
- five online sessions were held with management, support coordinators and allied health staff
- 98% attendance was achieved, showing strong interest and value in the sessions
- feedback shows a high level of engagement.
Participants also shared they would like to see these consultation sessions held annually to continuously improve the pathway.
What we heard
Feedback highlighted strong support for the MND Priority Pathway and the difference it is making.
MND associations told us:
- the pathway is making a real difference, with faster access to supports and more responsive service delivery
- dedicated planners are highly valued, with strong understanding of MND and consistent communication
- collaboration between the pathway team and the sector is working well.
One participant shared:
‘The responsiveness, the understanding of motor neurone disease, and the collaborative nature of the team has led to a much better quality of life for people living with MND.’
Another participant said:
‘If you have an MND diagnosis you will be looked after in a timely fashion… we are lucky.’
Overall, engagement shows that the MND Priority Pathway is making a meaningful difference, while also highlighting where continued improvements can further strengthen support for people living with MND.
Opportunities to improve
Alongside this positive feedback, participants also identified areas where improvements could be made:
- participants continue to raise the need for flexible funding periods
- delays in getting the right technical advice and evidence to make a decision about home modifications, which can slow down outcomes
- a need for clearer guidance for Allied health staff on reporting requirements for home and living, AT requests and Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA)
- opportunities to strengthen direct communication between NDIA staff and allied health professionals and speed up the process to get assessments and evidence about the participant’s disability support needs.
What happens next
We take a continuous improvement approach to the MND Priority Pathway.
We will make changes to make sure the Pathway continues to respond to the needs of people living with MND, their families, and the organisations who support them.
Priority aged care support for Australians with motor neurone disease
Recognising the value of the prioritisation pathway available to people with MND in the NDIS, the Government will change the aged care rules to recognise MND as a discrete, specific condition, which warrants urgent priority for support at home.
These two priority pathways into Aged Care or the NDIS provides support and certainty to Australians diagnosed with MND.
This change will give all older Australians with MND priority access to the Support at Home Program.
Find out more about the changes on the NDIS website.
Have your say
Engagement reminders
- Expressions of interest for provider consultations – ongoing opportunities.
- Shaping NDIS for First Nations children and young people – expressions of interest close 30 June 2026.
- Help shape the future NDIS pathway for children and young people – expressions of interest close 30 June 2026.
Disability sector news
Updates to levy contributions for employers in NSW
The NSW Long Service Corporation recently announced portable long service leave works in the NSW Community Services Industry.
The NSW Community Services Sector Portable Long Service Leave Scheme (CSI Scheme) commenced on 1 July 2025.
NDIS participants must register as an employer if they employ one or more eligible workers, including full-time, part-time, or casual.
To learn more, including whether this applies to you, visit NSW Government Long Service Corporation.
Co-design updates
The First Nations Participant and Carer Consultation Group met on 21 May 2026.
The focus of the meeting was:
- improving culturally safe communication channels with the NDIA for First Nations people
- increasing First Nations staff in frontline roles supporting participants
- improving First Nations recruitment and retention.
Upcoming Working Group meetings
- First Nations Participant and Carer Consultation Group – 25 June
You can learn more about the meetings we have held recently and the work we have progressed with the disability community by visiting our Co-design NDIS Engage project pages:
- Assessment and Budgeting
- Participant Safeguarding
- Navigator
- Participant Pathway experience
- First Nations Participant and Carer Consultation Group
Advisory and reference group updates
Self-Management Advisory Group
The Self-Management Advisory Group met on Tuesday, 5 May 2026.
The focus of the meeting was:
- an NDIA update
- Circles of Support and Microboards
- supported independent living mandatory registration.
Find the full meeting summary on the NDIS website.
Children’s Expert Advisory Group
The Children’s Expert Advisory Group met on 30 April 2026.
The focus of the meeting was:
- the development of new NDIS Outcomes Framework
- decision-making on informal supports: provision of advice on the application of s34(1)(e).
Find the full meeting summary on the NDIS website.
Neurodegenerative Palliative Care and Rare Diseases Advisory Group
The Neurodegenerative Palliative Care and Rare Diseases Advisory Group met on Wednesday, 25 March 2026.
The focus of the meeting was:
- support needs assessment targeted modules
- impairments and flexible budgets
- Department of Health, Disability and Ageing consultation on NDIS rules.
Find the full meeting summary on the NDIS website.
NDIS events
Understanding the NDIS webinar: Home and living supports
Join us for an informative webinar exploring NDIS home and living supports, including what’s available, who they’re for, and how they can support greater independence and choice.
In this session we will cover:
- what home and living means under the NDIS
- different types of housing
- home and living supports
- home modifications
- medium term accommodation
- supported independent living
- specialist disability accommodation.
Session dates:
- Tuesday 16 June, 2026
To register, visit our Humanatix page.
New videos
Pathways to Post School Life webinar video
A video recording of our Pathways to Post School Life webinar is now available.
This video includes Auslan interpretation and captioning.
In this presentation we cover:
- building a pathway to post school life
- NDIS-funded supports
- other services and programs
- preparing for a planning meeting
- selecting a suitable provider.
Community Connections webinar video
A video recording of our Community Connections webinar is now available.
This video includes Auslan interpretation and captioning.
In this presentation we cover:
- the participant journey
- how we support people with disability
- community connections
- types of community connections.
Community and Stakeholder Update – June 2026
Our video of the June 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.