NDIA Sector Update – 04/09/26
NDIS reform
Changes to plan reassessments
New NDIS laws are now in effect. On 27 August, some changes started.
There are changes to who can ask for a plan reassessment, and what participants need to do when they ask us to reassess their plan.
Only a participant, their nominee or their child representative can request a plan reassessment.
Plan reassessment requests need to be submitted on the correct form, which can be downloaded from the NDIS website. The completed form needs to tell us what’s changed and why the participant needs a reassessment. The participant must provide evidence that shows a significant change to their ongoing support needs. This may include assessments, reports or other evidence from treating healthcare professionals, therapists or support workers.
Once we have the information we need, we’ll make a decision within 90 days. We’ll decide whether to:
- reassess the plan
- not reassess the plan
- vary the plan.
We’ll let participants or their nominee know our decision, and why we’ve made it.
Participants can still request a plan variation if the changes to their support needs are urgent, minor or short-term.
You can read more about plan reassessments on the NDIS website or watch our plan reassessment video.
More information about the new NDIS laws and what changes are coming can be found on the NDIS website.
Have your say on NDIS access changes
The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing wants your feedback on how people are assessed to see if they can access the NDIS.
The proposed changes aim to make access decisions clearer, fairer and more consistent. The access assessment will focus on how a person’s disability affects their everyday life, rather than only on their diagnosis.
Your feedback will help the Technical Advisory Group develop advice for the Australian Government.
For more information and to have your say, visit the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing Consultation Hub.
New Framework Planning and NDIS Supports consultation – stakeholder kit
To support the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing (DHDA) consultation on New Framework Planning and NDIS Supports, a stakeholder kit has been developed by DHDA and is attached.
The kit contains approved content for email, web, newsletter, social media channels and accessible consultation materials, including Easy Read and Auslan resources.
On the consultation page you will also find other resources, including:
- consultation papers
- factsheets.
Within the consultation paper are links to the draft participant plan and draft support needs assessment report so you can see what these documents may look like under new framework planning.
For more information and to have your say, visit the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing.
How we are testing the new way of planning
We have now completed more than 1,000 simulated support needs assessments with participants as part of testing the new way of planning.
This milestone reflects the important role participants are playing in helping us test and improve the new way of planning before it rolls out from April 2027.
We’ve heard questions about how the current testing activities fit into the broader testing program, and why participants don’t currently receive a budget or assessment report when they take part in testing.
Testing happens in stages
The new way of planning is a significant change for participants and the NDIS. That’s why we are testing different parts of the new way of planning at different times before rollout.
Testing isn’t a single activity. Different testing activities help us test support needs assessments, participant experiences, staff capability, systems, processes and participant information.
Each stage builds on what we’ve learned before and helps us decide what to test next.
Participant feedback plays an important role throughout testing and helps shape improvements before rollout.
Because this stage of testing focuses on specific parts of the planning process, including the support needs assessment experience and assessor accreditation, participants won’t receive:
- a support needs assessment report
- a budget outcome
- a new NDIS plan
- a funding decision.
Future testing will focus more on the participant experience and the full planning journey. This is expected to include testing participant-facing information, such as support needs assessment reports.
Updated resources to support conversations about testing
To better support conversations with participants, we’ve refreshed our communications toolkit to include:
- a new visual storyboard to help participants understand what happens during a simulated support needs assessment
- more detailed information in the Frequently Asked Questions section of the toolkit.
If you have feedback or would like to help us improve future resources complete our survey.
Find out more
- Download the updated communications toolkit and story board on NDIS Engage.
- Learn more about testing and express interest on NDIS Engage.
For questions about testing, contact stakeholder.engagement@ndis.gov.au.
NDIS news
Pricing Arrangements Reference Group
We are seeking independent experts to join the Pricing Arrangements Reference Group (PARG).
The PARG provides independent advice to help inform NDIS pricing policies and arrangements.
Members review and provide feedback on pricing work, including analysis, methodologies, assumptions and recommendations. The PARG is an advisory body and does not have decision-making authority.
We encourage stakeholders to share this opportunity with individuals who have experience to contribute to the PARG.
Applications must be submitted by 7 September 2026.
For more information, including the Terms of Reference, Evaluation Criteria and Response Form, visit AusTender.
National Contact Centre new operating hours
The National Contact Centre (NCC) operating hours have changed to 8am to 7pm in each state and territory.
By aligning operating hours with periods of highest demand, NCC staff will be able to focus on more complex calls when participants and families and carers who most need their support.
The NCC is not changing how it operates or how to contact them.
At the same time, the NCC is strengthening self-service options. This means participants, families and carers will have greater flexibility on how they access information and complete common tasks.
To find out more visit the NDIS website.
Have your say
Engagement reminders
- Continence Provider List survey – 2026 – open until 28 September 2026.
- Department of Health, Disability and Ageing Consultation Hub – Open until 31 October 2026.
- Help test the new way of planning – open until 31 December 2026.
- Tell us what you want to know about NDIS reforms – open until 31 December 2026.
- Expressions of interest for provider consultations – ongoing opportunities.
Disability Sector Update consultation
Thank you to everyone who shared feedback on the Disability Sector Update through the NDIS Engage survey and stakeholder discussions.
Your feedback helped us understand what is working well and where improvements can be made. We will use this feedback to inform future enhancements to the update, while considering accessibility, governance and operational requirements.
To read the consultation report, visit NDIS Engage.
Disability sector news
Disability representative program extension
People with disability will continue to benefit from a strong voice to represent them to the Australian Government under a two-year extension to the Disability Representative Organisations (DRO) Program.
The $12 million investment will ensure existing grant agreements under the initiative continue until 30 June 2028.
Read the full statement on the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing website.
Co-design updates
Upcoming co-design activities
Upcoming activities
- Exploring participant choice on mobile devices workshop – 3 September 2026
- First Nations Participant and Carer Consultation Group – 24 September 2026
Exploring participant choice on mobile devices
Supported by Participant First, we are working with participants, nominees and carers to understand how and why NDIS digital platforms are used.
Our research shows 50% of NDIS portal sessions happen on a mobile device. This suggests many people prefer using the NDIS portal instead of the NDIS app, even though we designed the NDIS app to provide a better user experience.
The exploring participant choice on mobile devices project will help us understand why people choose to connect using the portal, rather than the app when using a mobile device. This will help us improve the app and portal so they better meet people’s needs.
More information
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:
Independent Advisory Council updates
First Nations Reference Group
A summary of the 15-16 July 2026 Independent Advisory Council (IAC) First Nations Reference Group meeting is now available.
The focus of the meeting was:
- what they have heard in their communities
- the Agency’s development of policy about paying family members
- support needs assessments
Find the full meeting bulletin on the IAC website.
Reference and advisory group updates
We held the final Children’s Expert Advisory Group (CEAG) meeting on 16 July 2026.
CEAG was established in 2024 to provide expert advice to the NDIA on:
- strategies to address the needs of children with disability and developmental delay, their families, and carers in the NDIS
- co-design and engagement with the community on changes to the NDIS for children, their families, and carers
- the development of clear and consistent communications to families and carers of children with developmental delay and disability.
We are deeply grateful for the knowledge, expertise, and lived experience that members so generously shared throughout the term.
Member advice, insights and feedback made a significant contribution to shaping the children’s reforms.
On behalf of the NDIA, we sincerely thank members for their partnership, honesty, and commitment to improving outcomes for children and families.
NDIS events
An overview of NDIS Legislation Changes
We are hosting a series of webinars to provide detailed information about changes introduced through the NDIS (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026.
The sessions will focus on practical information and explain what the changes mean for participants both now and into the future.
In these sessions we will talk about:
- changes to plan reassessments
- support determinations
- where to access information, guidance and support.
Sessions will be held through September to November 2026.
To register, visit our Humanitix page.
Understanding the NDIS webinar: Supporting an NDIS participant to make decisions
This session focuses on the different ways people can support an NDIS participant to make decisions and manage their supports.
We will cover:
- supported decision making and how it works in practice
- nominees, guardians, and child representatives
- participant consent and what it means.
Session date:
- Thursday 10 September 2026.
To register, visit our Humanitix page.
Understanding the NDIS webinar: NDIS assistive technology
This session will 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 session we will talk about:
- 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:
- Wednesday, 16 September 2026.
To register, visit our Humanitix page.
Understanding the NDIS webinar: NDIS Home and Living Supports
This session will explore 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 talk about:
- what Home and Living means under the NDIS
- Home and Living supports
- home modifications
- medium term accommodation
- supported independent living (SIL)
- specialist disability accommodation (SDA).
Session date:
- Tuesday, 22 September 2026.
To register, visit our Humanitix page.
New videos
Supporting an NDIS Participant webinar
A video recording of Supporting a NDIS participant webinar is now available.
This video includes Auslan interpretation and captioning.
In this presentation we cover:
- supported decision making
- nominees, guardians and child representatives
- participant consent.
Home and Living webinar
A video recording of Home and Living webinar is now available.
This video includes Auslan interpretation and captioning.
In this presentation we cover:
- housing and community infrastructure
- types of housing
- home and living supports
- home modifications
- medium term accommodation
- individualised living options
- supported independent living
- specialist disability accommodation
- personal care supports.