Understanding the NDIS Changes: What They Mean for You

The NDIS Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026 is bringing a series of changes to the Scheme, rolling out in stages between August 2026 and February 2027. If you're a participant, family member, or carer, it's easy to feel overwhelmed trying to keep track of what's actually changing and when.

At Norella Disability Support Services, we've been working through the detail so we can break it down in plain English. Here's what's happening, and what it means in practice.

From 27 August 2026

Pricing decisions and automation

The Minister for Disability and the NDIS now has the power to set maximum prices for NDIS supports, based on advice from the NDIA's Annual Pricing Review. There are no immediate changes to pricing — providers continue under current arrangements until a new pricing determination is actually made. Some administrative actions, including claims and payment processing, can now be automated, though anything involving discretion or judgement requires additional safeguards and CEO oversight.

What this means for you: Keep an eye on future pricing announcements, particularly if you're agency-managed or plan-managed. If you ever receive a notice about an automated decision that looks wrong, keep the notice and ask how the decision was made.

Record-keeping requirements

New minimum periods apply to how long records must be kept:

- Participants: 3 years

- Nominees or others claiming on a participant's behalf: 5 years

- Providers: 7 years

What this means for you: Hold onto invoices, service agreements, rosters, and any notes about supports delivered. Good records protect your funding if it's ever questioned. Norella keeps its own records well beyond the required 7 years as standard practice.

Functional capacity changes

A legal definition of "functional capacity" now applies to access decisions. It looks at what a person can actually do across everyday activities, rather than relying on diagnosis alone, and requires a direct link between a person's impairment and the supports they need.

What this means for you: Reports and evidence are strongest when they describe real, everyday activities communication, routines, safety, independence rather than just naming a condition.

Information gathering and civil penalties

The NDIA has stronger powers to request information and documents from participants, nominees, and providers, and can issue civil penalties to providers who don't comply with certain requirements.

What this means for you: Keep copies of anything the NDIA asks for, when it was requested, and how you responded.

From 1 October 2026

Support determinations

The Government has announced a 50% reduction to Social, Civic and Community Participation funding, and a 10% reduction to Capacity Building Daily Activities funding, for relevant old-framework plans. Core categories daily living, transport, consumables, assistive technology, and home modifications are protected and cannot be affected by a support determination. This doesn't reduce every plan automatically on 1 October; it applies as relevant plans come up for renewal.

What this means for you: If you rely on social, community, or capacity-building supports, it's worth talking to your plan manager or support coordinator well before your next plan date. Participants with high support needs requiring continuous, 24-hour disability-related care may be able to request a variation to restore reduced funding.

From October 2026

Contact and suspension rules

If the NDIA attempts to contact a participant five or more times over roughly 3–4 months with no response, a plan can be suspended. Participants get 90 days after a suspension decision to respond before further action is taken, and the NDIA must act within 28 days once they do. Remaining uncontactable for 90+ days after a suspension can put participant status itself at risk.

What this means for you: Keep your contact details current and let the NDIA know your preferred contact method. We help our own participants set this up so nothing slips through the cracks.

From 1 December 2026

Claim time limits

The window for submitting an NDIS claim shortens from 2 years to 90 days from when the support was provided. This applies to participants, nominees, plan managers, and providers alike. Exceptional circumstances can still be considered by the CEO on a case-by-case basis.

What this means for you: Submit invoices and claims promptly. It's worth checking now for any old or outstanding claims before the shorter window applies.

From February 2027

The Reasonable and Necessary test

Reasonable and Necessary remains the legal test for whether the NDIS funds a support. From February 2027, though, the NDIA must also weigh up value for money, equity, similar circumstances, day-to-day living costs, and whether another system or service is a more appropriate funder. For children, the changes define what counts as ordinary parental care, distinguishing it from additional disability-related care.

What this means for you: Requests are strongest when supported by clear evidence what a support achieves, what happens without it, and why relying on family or informal support alone isn't enough.

Plan renewals

When an old-framework plan reaches its end date, it's automatically renewed for a further 12 months, carrying over the existing statement of supports. One-off or time-limited funding does not roll over into the renewed plan.

What this means for you: Check your plan's end date and flag anything outstanding assessments, equipment, services before it renews. Keep copies of plans, letters, and invoices in case a review is ever needed.

Questions about how this affects your plan?

These changes are detailed, and how they apply can look different depending on your individual plan and circumstances. Norella's team is here to help you make sense of it : no jargon, just clarity.

Contact us: 0494 762 835 to talk through your situation, or get in touch with your support coordinator or plan manager directly.

This article is general information based on the NDIS Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026 and is not a substitute for advice specific to your circumstances. Dates are subject to commencement provisions taking effect.