NDIS Changes 2026 — What's New and What It Means for Participants
NDIS Changes 2026 — What's New and What It Means for You
The NDIS is in the middle of its biggest reshape since it began — new pricing took effect on 1 July 2026, a new way of planning is starting to roll out, and new programs for children begin later this year. Here's what's actually changed in the last few months, and what it means for you, in plain English from our pharmacist-led team.
In Effect Now — From 1 July 2026
The NDIA split the old Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits (PAPL) into two documents — a Pricing Schedule (the price tables) and a separate claiming-rules document. Support worker price limits rose about 3.95% (a standard weekday daytime hour is now capped around $70.23), reflecting the Fair Work wage decision and the super increase to 12%. Some therapy price limits moved too — psychology up, several allied health rates down.
Supported Independent Living (SIL) providers and platform providers are now required to register with the NDIS Commission, the first step in a broader move to bring more providers under direct oversight.
From around June 2026, the criteria for unscheduled plan reassessments tightened — the NDIA is steering people toward scheduled reviews and specific variation pathways instead of ad-hoc changes.
An uplift to the NDIS claims and payments systems started rolling out in July 2026, and consultation opened on how home-and-living supports will be commissioned in future.
Rolling Out Soon — The Big Structural Changes
A new way of building NDIS plans is beginning with a small group of participants and will roll out over several years. It centres on a support needs assessment — a guided conversation with a trained NDIS assessor about your daily life and support needs — leading to simpler plans with a flexible budget plus stated supports. Plans will run longer, with fewer scheduled reviews. Children under 18 aren't in the initial group, plans are still approved by trained NDIA staff (not automation), and your review rights — including the Administrative Review Tribunal — remain.
Children aged 8 and under with developmental delay or autism and low-to-moderate support needs will start accessing support through Thriving Kids — a $4 billion, jointly funded program outside individual NDIS plans, fully rolled out by 1 January 2028. Children with permanent and significant disability, or high support needs, remain on the NDIS as usual.
Participant budgets for social, civic and community participation, and capacity building daily activities, begin to be progressively adjusted as part of the broader reforms.
What Hasn't Changed — Especially for Equipment & Consumables
- The assistive technology cost tiers are unchanged: under $1,500 (low cost, no quotes), $1,500–$15,000 (mid cost — evidence and AT advice, no quote), over $15,000 (assessment plus quote). See our full NDIS Funding Guide.
- Continence products are still funded from your Core – Consumables budget when related to your disability.
- You still choose your providers (agency-managed participants must use registered providers — we're registered: 4050 144 759).
- Free trials, AT advice and same-day quotes remain the smartest path to fast approvals — nothing in the reforms changes that.
- Your existing plan, budgets and supports continue until the NDIA moves you to any new arrangement — with notice.
What You Should Do — A 5-Minute Checklist
- Nothing is required right now — but read emails and letters from the NDIA rather than filing them away.
- Check your plan's reassessment date and funding periods so purchases and consumable orders line up with released funding.
- Keep your evidence current — OT reports, AT advice and continence assessments make every request faster under the tighter reassessment rules.
- If a provider's prices changed on 1 July, ask for an updated quote — ours are always aligned to the current Pricing Schedule.
- Questions about equipment or consumables under the new rules? Call us on 1300 216 888 — free, no obligation.
Official Sources
- NDIS — Update on the new way of planning (new framework planning & support needs assessments)
- NDIS — Changes to the NDIS (official changes hub)
- NDIS — Improving the NDIS (reform roadmap and updates)
- NDIS — Pricing updates (2026–27 Pricing Schedule)
- NDIS — Thriving Kids and Department of Health, Disability and Ageing — Thriving Kids
Unsure how the changes affect your equipment or supplies?
Our pharmacist-led team keeps across every NDIS update so you don't have to. Free advice, free trials, same-day quotes.
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