Easy read and Auslan versions of this email are available below.
All NDIS participants, families and representatives will shortly receive an email to share information about the new way of NDIS planning and how people can share their thoughts.
The Australian Government is introducing a new way of planning for the NDIS, called new framework planning.
From mid‑2026, we're aiming to start using this new way of planning with a small number of participants. It will be rolled out over a number of years, so many participants won't notice any changes for some time.
This change will help make NDIS plans fairer and easier to use. It also reflects what we heard from people with disability, families and carers through the NDIS Review.
What you need to know
- Participants don't need to do anything right now.
- Current NDIS plans will stay in place until participants move to the new way of planning.
- Participants will receive information before anything changes for them.
- Children under 18 years won't be part of these initial changes.
Support needs assessment
The new way of planning will include a support needs assessment.
This is a guided conversation with a trained NDIS assessor to understand a participant's disability support needs.
The information will help create a fairer and more flexible budget.
NDIS plans will continue to be approved by trained NDIS staff, not automated systems.
Benefits for participants
- More time with a trained assessor, so participants can explain their support needs in a way that works for them.
- A planning process that is clearer and focused on participants' support needs and goals.
- More consistent decisions, supported by clearer NDIS rules and processes.
- A simpler plan, with a more flexible budget that is easier to use.
Participants will continue to have the right to ask for a review of their NDIS plan. This includes an external review through the Administrative Review Tribunal.
Have your say
The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing is working with the NDIA, state and territory governments, and the disability community to create rules for the new way of planning.
These rules will explain how the process works.
Public consultation on these rules is open until 6 March 2026. Participants can share their views on the NDIS Rules consultation on the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing Citizen Space.
Participants can also help test the new way of planning by joining NDIA workshops and activities by signing up to the New Framework Planning Pool , part of NDIS Engage.
We will keep sharing updates and give participants plenty of time to prepare before any changes happen.
