NDIA Sector Update – 25/08/26
NDIS reform
New NDIS laws stakeholder pack
The Australian Parliament has passed the National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill, which enables changes to the NDIS to secure it for the long term.
Right now, participants can continue using their plan and supports as usual.
Some changes, such as updates to plan reassessments and record keeping, will begin in the coming weeks.
Other changes, such as to social and community participation funding, will begin phasing in from October this year.
The remaining reforms will be introduced gradually over the next few years, following consultation with the disability community.
Eligibility changes will not occur until 1 January 2028.
Please refer to the attached stakeholder communication toolkit for further information and resources to share with your networks.
The toolkit provides clear and consistent information about the recent legislative changes, what they mean for participants and the broader disability sector.
We encourage you to use the toolkit to help your stakeholders access accurate and up-to-date information about the changes.
We will also publish the latest information on the NDIS website.
Thank you for your continued engagement to ensure participants and the disability community have the information and support they need to navigate these changes
Have your say on New Framework Planning and NDIS Supports
The Australian Government is committed to consulting with the community on a range of measures, including new framework planning and NDIS supports.
The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing wants your feedback.
This consultation focuses on 4 new NDIS rules for new framework planning and seeks feedback on updates to the NDIS Supports Transitional Rule.
For more information and to have your say, visit the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing Consultation Hub.
Have your say on the future of supported independent living
The Australian Government is seeking feedback on how supported independent living (SIL) supports can deliver safe, high-quality and sustainable assistance for NDIS participants.
They want to hear from people with disability, families, carers, advocates, providers and support workers about what good SIL supports look like.
SIL supports NDIS participants who need a high level of assistance with daily activities at home.
This consultation will explore whether a commissioning approach could improve the quality, safety, innovation and sustainability of SIL supports. Commissioning means the government may take a more active role in how some services are planned, funded, delivered and monitored.
For more information and to have your say, visit the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing Consultation Hub.
Testing won’t affect a participant’s NDIS plan
We’re testing the new way of planning before it rolls out in April 2027. Participants can help us improve how it works by taking part in paid testing sessions.
Some participants have told us they’re worried that taking part in testing could affect their current or future NDIS plan.
The information we collect during testing is stored and analysed separately from a participant’s NDIS record. We don’t use this information to make decisions about a participant’s plan, funding, eligibility or supports.
We store testing information securely and manage it in line with the Privacy Act 1988 and the National Disability Insurance Scheme Act 2013.
We’ll use what participants share to learn what works, and what needs to change. Their information is used to help test the validity and reliability of the support needs assessments and the processes and systems that support the new way of planning.
Information shared during testing won’t:
- lead to a plan review
- lead to a plan reassessment
- change their funding or supports
- change their eligibility.
We may share information with approved NDIA staff and research partners supporting the testing program. When information is used for research and analysis, we remove information that could identify participants.
Before people decide to take part, we explain how their information may be used. Participants can choose to withdraw at any time.
Resources to support participants
We’ve developed a communications toolkit to help organisations share information about testing the new way of planning with participants and communities.
You can share these resources through your networks to help people decide if they want to take part.
We’re continuing to improve the toolkit and would like your feedback. Tell us what’s useful, what could be improved, and what other resources would help you support your communities.
Help us improve the NDIS Planning Communications Toolkit by completing our short survey on NDIS Engage.
Find out more
- To learn more about testing and help test the new way of planning visit NDIS Engage.
- Download the communications toolkit on NDIS Engage.
- If you have questions, contact stakeholder.engagement@ndis.gov.au.
NDIS news
NDIS Quarterly Report Q4 2025-26
We have released the NDIS Quarterly Report Q4 2025–26.
This report provides detailed information on the performance of the NDIA from 1 April 2026 to 30 June 2026.
This report:
- highlights strong participant outcomes and service delivery
- shows important progress in securing the Scheme’s future, with respect to sustainability and cost pressures.
An Easy Read version will also be available soon.
To read the full report visit the NDIS website.
Auslan Connect new service
We are preparing to launch Auslan Connect.
This is a new video chat service allowing Australian Sign Language (Auslan) users to connect with us on their terms.
This is the first time a service like this has been offered in the Australian Government. This is an important step towards providing a more inclusive experience for people who use Auslan.
The National Contact Centre is hiring roles to deliver this initiative. Applicants must be fluent in Auslan and have strong communication skills. Previous contact centre experience is also desirable.
Please share these opportunities with your networks. To learn more about Auslan Connect and the available roles, visit:
Extra checks to help protect your information
To better protect participants from fraud and identity misuse, we are introducing additional security checks when people contact us.
We may also complete these checks when we call you if you ask us to update personal information.
These checks could include:
- confirming a one-time code sent to your mobile phone number or email address
- answering a few extra questions to confirm your identity.
These checks help us make sure we’re speaking with the right person before we discuss or update your personal or protected information.
To find out more about these check visit on the NDIS website.
Have your say
Tell us what you want to know about NDIS reforms
We want to understand what information people find most useful about changes to the NDIS, including reforms and new NDIS laws.
We are asking:
- which NDIS reforms people would like more information about
- what reform-related information is most useful
- which parts of the reforms or new laws need further explanation.
Your feedback will help us improve future reform information and resources.
We encourage disability sector organisations to share this opportunity with participants, families and carers and invite them to complete the survey.
We will close the survey on Thursday, 31 December 2026 at 5pm AEST.
To learn more and have your say, visit NDIS Engage.
Have your say on the Continence Provider List
We are seeking feedback to better understand what is working well, the challenges people experience when purchasing continence products, and where improvements can be made.
Whether participants have used the Continence Provider List (CPL), heard about it, or never used it, we want to hear from them.
Participant feedback can help improve the information, tools and support available to participants, and will help shape future improvements to make it easier to find, compare and choose continence product providers.
We encourage disability sector organisations to share this opportunity with participants, families and carers and invite them to complete the survey.
We will close the survey on Monday, 28 September 2026 at 5pm AEST.
To learn more and have your say, visit NDIS Engage.
Engagement reminders
- Help test the new way of planning – open until 31 December 2026.
- Expressions of interest for provider consultations – ongoing opportunities.
Good news story
Mandatory registration for supported independent living and platform providers
Between June and July 2026, together with the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission, a series of engagement activities were delivered to support stakeholders in understanding the 1 July 2026 introduction of mandatory registration requirements for supported independent living (SIL) and platform providers.
273 stakeholders participated across 5 engagement activities, including:
- two Community Forums
- a Town Hall
- a session with Inclusion Australia’s Complex Family Needs Reference Groups.
Stakeholders included participants, families, carers, providers, Disability Representative and Carer Organisations and Independent Advisory Council members.
The engagement generated strong interest from the disability community and provided valuable opportunities for stakeholders to ask questions directly to the us and NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission.
Key topics included:
- scope and application of the reform
- definitions of SIL
- transition arrangements
- participant safeguarding
- practical implications of registration for participants and providers.
Feedback from attendees was overwhelmingly positive. Of survey respondents:
- 91% agreed or strongly agreed the sessions provided clear and useful information
- 91% agreed or strongly agreed that the session helped them understand what is changing and why it matters
- 73% agreed or strongly agreed that the information was relevant to their situation.
The engagement also identified areas where stakeholders would benefit from additional information, including practical implementation guidance and further information on safeguarding, transition arrangements and information tailored to platform providers.
Insights gathered throughout the sessions will inform future communications about reform.
Co-design updates
The next First Nations Participant and Carer Consultation Group will be held on 27 August 2026.
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:
Reference and advisory group updates
National Mental Health Sector Reference Group
A summary of the 10 June 2026 National Mental Health Sector Reference Group is now available.
The focus of the meeting was:
- an update from the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing about reforms
- data presentations
- Psychosocial Recovery Coach Evaluation.
Find the full meeting summary on the NDIS website.
Children’s Expert Advisory Group
A summary of the 16 July 2026 Children’s Expert Advisory Group is now available.
The focus of the July meeting was:
- Shaping Children’s Reform – Children’s Expert Advisory Group contributions
- early childhood intervention market analysis project
- an update from the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing about Thriving Kids.
Find the full meeting summary on the NDIS website.
Self-Management Advisory Group
A summary of the 23 July 2026 Self-Management Advisory Group is now available.
The focus of the July meeting was:
- direct employment
- supported independent living
- NDIS reforms.
Find the full meeting summary on the NDIS website.
NDIS events
Understanding the NDIS webinar series: Employment supports
This session will explore how employment supports can help participants build skills, find work, keep work, and move toward their goals.
In this session we will talk about:
- what types of employment supports the NDIS can fund
- who employment supports are for and when they might be appropriate
- how employment supports can help with getting a job, staying in work, or developing workplace skills.
Session date:
- Thursday, 27 August 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
Community and Stakeholder Update – August 2026
A video of the August 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.