NDIS changes from 1 October 2026 – What does this actually mean for you?
If you are an NDIS participant, family member or carer, you have probably become fairly used to hearing the words “NDIS changes”.
There have been a lot of changes over the last couple of years, and there are more coming from 1 October 2026.
As always, when changes are announced, there can be a lot of information floating around on social media and in the community. Some of it is helpful. Some of it creates unnecessary worry.
So, let’s break down what is actually changing and, more importantly, what it may mean for you and your NDIS plan.
What is changing from 1 October?
From 1 October 2026, the NDIA is introducing changes to the way funding is calculated in two areas:
• Social, Economic and Community Participation
• Improved Daily Living Skills
These changes are part of broader measures being introduced across the NDIS to manage the growth and sustainability of the Scheme.
Importantly, this does not mean that everyone wakes up on 1 October with less funding.
The changes will begin to apply when a participant receives a new plan or has their plan reassessed from 1 October 2026.
For participants whose plans are simply renewed, the changes are due to apply from 1 February 2027.
So, if you currently have an NDIS plan, continue to use your plan and access your supports in the usual way unless the NDIA advises you otherwise.
Does this mean everyone’s funding will be cut?
No.
And this is probably one of the most important things we want participants and families to understand.
NDIS plans are individual. The impact of these changes will depend on your individual circumstances, disability-related support needs and the supports included in your plan.
There are also a number of support areas that are not included in these reductions.
These include employment supports, disability-related health supports, high-intensity supports and intensive and complex behaviour supports.
Essential daily supports are also not included in the reductions. This includes things such as assistance with eating and drinking, dressing, toileting, medication, personal care, cleaning and other essential daily living needs.
That distinction is important.
A headline saying “NDIS funding is being reduced” doesn’t tell the whole story and can understandably cause concern for participants and families.
What does this mean for your next plan?
This is where good preparation becomes increasingly important.
When your plan is approaching reassessment, don’t wait until the last minute to start thinking about what you need.
Take the time to look at how your current plan has actually worked.
Have you used your funding differently than expected?
Are there supports you haven’t been able to access?
Have your circumstances changed?
Are your current supports still meeting your needs?
Has your level of informal support changed?
Do you have current reports and evidence that accurately explain your disability-related support needs?
And importantly, do you actually understand what is left in your funding?
These are conversations we regularly have with participants at SLC Supports.
A plan can look like a significant amount of money when you first see the total figure, but that funding needs to last for the entire plan period and cover the supports it was intended for.
With funding periods now also forming part of many NDIS plans, understanding not only how much funding you have, but when that funding is available, is becoming increasingly important.
Don’t panic – but do understand your plan
Our advice is simple.
Don’t panic because you have seen a post on Facebook saying everyone’s NDIS funding is being cut.
But don’t ignore the changes either.
Understand your plan. Know what funding you have and what you are spending. Keep your reports and evidence up to date. Talk to your providers about what is working and what isn’t.
And if something changes in your life or your disability-related support needs, make sure you raise it with the appropriate people rather than simply waiting until your next plan reassessment.
What is the role of Support Coordination?
Good Support Coordination isn’t about making decisions for participants.
It is about helping participants understand their plan, their funding and their options so they can make informed decisions about their own supports.
At SLC Supports, our Support Coordinators work with participants to understand their budgets, connect with appropriate providers, monitor funding, identify gaps in supports and prepare for plan changes and reassessments.
We also work alongside families, nominees, allied health professionals, behaviour support practitioners, support providers and other members of a participant’s team where appropriate.
And sometimes our role is simply translating NDIS language into normal language.
Because let’s face it – the NDIS can be complicated enough without making it more complicated than it needs to be.
The NDIS is changing, but your individual needs still matter
There will continue to be changes across the NDIS.
Some will affect participants immediately. Others will be introduced gradually. And some may not affect your individual plan at all.
The important thing is to get information from reliable sources and understand how a change applies to your own circumstances before assuming the worst.
At SLC Supports, we will continue to keep across the changes, ask questions, advocate appropriately and, most importantly, make sure the people we support understand what those changes mean for them.
If you’re unsure about your current NDIS plan, your funding periods or an upcoming reassessment, have a chat with your SLC Supports Support Coordinator.
We may not be able to make the NDIS simple, but we can definitely make it easier to understand.
If you have any questions about the upcoming NDIS changes, your current plan or how SLC Supports may be able to assist you, please give us a call for a no-obligation consultation.
Sometimes a quick conversation is all it takes to work out what your next step should be.
SLC Supports Pty Limited
NDIS Registered Provider