NDIS Changes 2026–2027: What Townsville Participants and Families Need to Know

From 1 October 2026, budget allocations are being reset for Social, Economic and Community Participation and Improved Daily Living Skills when a new plan is approved or a plan is reassessed. The Australian Government says the allocation reset is 50% for the first category and 10% for the second. Renewed plans join this process from 1 February 2027.

The effect will differ between participants. A budget allocation change does not always equal the same reduction in actual spending, particularly where a budget was not fully used.

Supports the government says are unaffected

• Essential daily support at home, including eating, dressing, toileting, cleaning, nursing and medication help
• Home and vehicle modifications, personal mobility equipment and Specialist Disability Accommodation
• Employment, disability-related health, high-intensity, intensive and complex behaviour supports
• Customised or wearable technology and hearing services

If your circumstances or functional capacity change significantly and on an ongoing basis, you can still ask the NDIA about a plan variation or reassessment. A separate variation pathway is available for some participants receiving continuous 24-hour support.

Funding periods and updated plan reassessment rules are already in effect. A new way of planning, called new framework planning, is scheduled to start rolling out from 1 April 2027.

The new approach will use a guided support needs assessment covering daily life, functional capacity, life stage and environmental factors. Plans are intended to have more flexible budgets, with a small number of supports stated separately.

NDIS rules and operational details are still being developed. Participants will move across over time, not on one day. Ask what evidence will be useful before your next planning conversation and keep records of changing support needs.

New NDIS access criteria will apply from 1 January 2028. Children aged 8 and under with developmental delay and/or autism who have low to moderate support needs are expected to use Thriving Kids instead of the NDIS. Children with permanent and significant disability or substantially reduced functional capacity will remain able to qualify.

Children already in the NDIS before 1 January 2028 will continue to be reassessed under the earlier criteria while they are aged 8 or under. From age 9, the new functional-capacity criteria will apply.

Thriving Kids is being designed with states and territories. Families should rely on direct government updates before making decisions. From 1 February 2027, clearer guidance is also due on ordinary parental responsibility versus extra support required because of disability.

From 1 July 2028, support coordination is due to move from individual plan funding to a new NDIA-commissioned support coordination and connection service. Participants are expected to choose from appointed providers and receive transition support.

Mandatory registration for Supported Independent Living providers began rolling out from 1 July 2026. Registration for providers of other higher-risk supports is scheduled to expand from 1 July 2027, with the wider rollout continuing to 2030.

The government is consulting on whether part of the SIL market should move to a commissioning model. No final decision on SIL commissioning is stated in the official material reviewed for this page.

No. The October reset applies to two specified support categories. Government information says essential daily care, home and vehicle modifications, mobility equipment, SDA and several safety-critical support groups are unaffected.

Not automatically. It applies progressively: from 1 October 2026 for new and reassessed plans, and from 1 February 2027 through the renewal process for other participants.

Keep current reports and practical examples showing your daily support needs, goals, risks and any significant ongoing change in your circumstances. Ask the NDIA what evidence is required for your situation.

No. The announced change is aimed at children aged 8 and under with developmental delay and/or autism and low to moderate support needs. Children with permanent and significant disability or high support needs can remain eligible. Detailed program design is still underway.

Do not make a change solely because of a future reform date. Check whether your provider meets current requirements, watch for direct NDIA or NDIS Commission notices, and ask how any transition will apply to your plan.