NDIA Sector Update – 18/02/26
The latest National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) quarterly report has been released.
It shows steady progress in delivering a fairer, simpler and more sustainable NDIS. There are positive results in financial management, participant outcomes and experience, and ongoing reform implementation.
The NDIS continued to deliver positive outcomes for participants and their families and carers in the quarter ending 31 December 2025 (quarter 2, 2025–26).
Quarter 2 highlights
Mr Graeme Head AO was appointed by the NDIA Board as the new Chief Executive Officer for a 3-year term, starting in November 2025.
Mr Head brings substantial knowledge of the NDIS to the role, having served as the inaugural NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commissioner (2018–2021). He also brings decades of experience in public administration and social policy at the highest levels in Australia.
Working with the disability community
The NDIA works closely with participants and the disability community through co-design, consultation, engagement and information sharing. Highlights this quarter include:
The NDIA began engaging with First Nations organisations, peak bodies and governments to inform an NDIS First Nations Strategy implementation plan to be co-developed by mid-2026.
We held almost 500 engagement activities with nearly 5,500 participants and other stakeholders. We distributed e-newsletters to more than 10,000 stakeholders.
A new NDIS Design Hub, bringing together participants and NDIA staff, will support the design of the new way of planning. The Design Hub helps us test and refine:
- new planning tools
- resources
- participant experience with the NDIA.
Design Hub sessions started in October 2025 and will continue throughout 2026. This quarter, the Hub ran participant focus groups, one-to-one interviews, and a 2-day workshop.
Four webinars, co-hosted with the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, were held to inform the disability sector about the new planning process and support needs assessment.
NDIS Engage is a new online platform to help participants, providers and the disability community have their say on reforms and improvements to the NDIS. Since its launch in August 2025, there have been more than 25,000 unique visitors, 17,000 documents downloaded and 1,000 submissions received.
Helping participants use NDIS funds on listed supports
Following changes to legislation in October 2024 that put a focus on ensuring NDIS funds are used exclusively on listed NDIS supports, participants were given 12 months to adjust to the NDIS supports lists. This ended on 2 October 2025.
The NDIA is providing guidance to participants to help them make the right decisions about how to use their budgets and access NDIS supports.
The NDIA published 2 new guidelines for the inclusion of short-term respite and therapy supports in NDIS plans.
Most businesses do the right thing, but some use misleading or deceptive phrases, such as, ‘NDIS approved’ or ‘100% NDIS funded’.
The NDIA is providing guidance and deterring the use of misleading or deceptive advertising, so participants have the right information to spend their budgets on listed supports.
Thank you
The NDIA acknowledges and thanks the disability sector and community for their vital contribution and advocacy in supporting people with disability.
You can download the quarterly report from the NDIS website.
NDIA Sector Update – 06/02/2026
Good afternoon,
We are writing to provide you with information about recent Agency announcements and updates on key issues.
We encourage you to share the information in this email with your members and networks through your communications channels.
Vale Nick Rushworth
We were saddened at the news of the passing of Nick Rushworth, Executive Officer of Brain Injury Australia (BIA).
Nick took part in the Disability Representative and Carer Organisation (DRCO) Forum and was a member of the Participant Pathway Experience Co-design Working Group, joining the group in 2024.
On behalf of the NDIA, we want to acknowledge Nick’s important contributions to improving the NDIS for people with brain injury, and for bringing his experience to conversations about reforming the Scheme.
NDIS reform
New way of planning communication
From 9 February 2026, we will be sending an email to all NDIS participants, families and representatives to provide early information about the new way of planning for the NDIS.
The email will provide information to build awareness of future changes. It confirms:
- participants do not need to take any action now
- current NDIS plans remain in place
· most participants will not notice any changes for some time.
The email will include information about the NDIS Rules consultation, open until 6 March 2026. This is an opportunity for participants to share their views on how the new way of planning will work.
We will also publish the same information on the NDIS website in Easy Read and Auslan.
To find out more visit the NDIS website.
Thriving Kids
Governments have committed to jointly contribute $4 billion over 5 years to implement the first phase of Foundational Supports, known as Thriving Kids.
This investment will support children aged 8 and under with developmental delay or autism with low to moderate support needs, and their families, carers, and kin.
From 1 October 2026, children aged 8 and under with developmental delay and/or autism with low to moderate support needs will start to access support through Thriving Kids.
Thriving Kids will be fully rolled out by 1 January 2028. This will make sure national services are in place ahead of changes to NDIS access arrangements from 1 January 2028.
NDIS access changes will require amendments to the NDIS Act 2013. The Government will continue to engage with state and territory governments, people with disability and the disability sector to inform the design and implementation of these important reforms.
Children with permanent and significant disability, including those with developmental delay and/or autism with high support needs, will continue to be eligible for the NDIS.
To learn more, visit the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing Thriving Kids webpage.
NDIS news
Update planned for my NDIS mobile app news item
We are updating the ‘my NDIS mobile app’ to improve accessibility, simplify navigation and make it easier for participants to manage their plans.
The changes will be made from February. The update will either occur automatically, or you will receive a notification in the app when the changes are available to manually update.
To find out more visit the NDIS website.
Have your say
Shaping the NDIS for First Nations children and young people
We are inviting First Nations families, carers, young people, and community representatives to help improve how the NDIS works for children and young people.
This includes informing a new NDIS pathway for children and young people.
Your lived experience will help us:
- build a pathway that makes sense for First Nations families
- keep the space culturally safe, strong, and inclusive
- speak truth about what is not working
- try out new ideas and share back what works.
Who we want to hear from
- First Nations parents, carers, family members and community representatives supporting children and young people aged 0 to 17.
- Young people aged 18 to 25 who were NDIS participants before turning 18.
These are all paid opportunities.
To learn more and have your say, visit NDIS Engage.
Engagement reminders
- 2025-26 Annual Pricing Review Consultations – surveys are open until 11.59pm AEST, 8 February 2026.
- Improving service agreements – surveys are open until 11.59pm AEST, 24 February 2026.
- Help shape the future NDIS pathway for children and young people – expression of interests close 31 March 2026.
- Public consultation on new framework planning rules – provide your input by filling out a survey or making a submission by 6 March 2026.
Disability sector news
Centre for Inclusive Employment Online Hub
There’s now more support for providers to deliver disability employment services. Department of Social Services have partnered with Swinburne University of Technology to develop useful tools.
Information about disability and employment support is now available. Over time, resources will be added that provide practical information for people with disability, families, employment service providers, and the general community.
To explore the Online Hub, visit the Centre for Inclusive Employment website.
Co-design updates
Upcoming Co-design Working Group meetings:
- Participant Safeguarding Co-design Working Group – 17 February 2026
- Participant Pathway Experience Co-design Working Group – 24 February 2026
The Quarterly Reform Forum is meeting on 19 February 2026. We are reinstating updates from Co-design Working Group Co-chairs and inviting all Co-design Working Group Co-chairs to the Forum.
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 our co-designing reform NDIS Engage project pages:
NDIS events
Understanding the NDIS webinar series: NDIS access and eligibility
Applying to the NDIS means taking steps to find out if you can become a participant and start receiving supports under the Scheme. There’s a process to follow when you apply.
In this presentation we will cover:
- an overview of the NDIS Eligibility criteria
- evidence you need
- how the application process works
- who can help you apply.
Our speaker will also explain recent changes to legislation and how they impact people applying to the NDIS.
Session date
- Tuesday, 10 February 2026
For session time and to register for the session, visit our Humanitix page.
Understanding the NDIS webinar series: Self-management
Self-management means you manage your NDIS funding.
This gives you control and responsibility for arranging and paying for the supports in your plan. It’s a great way to tailor your supports to meet your needs and achieve your goals.
In this presentation we will cover:
- what self-management is
- when a person can’t self-manage
- tips for self-managing well
- directly engaging staff
- avoiding common mistakes.
Session date
- Wednesday, 18 February 2026
For session time and to register for the session, visit our Humanatix page.
Understanding the NDIS webinar series: Assistive technology
When we 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 presentation we will cover:
- 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
- Thursday, 26 February 2026
For session time and to register for the session, visit our Humanitix page.