The NDIS Is Changing in 2026. Here Is What It Actually Means for You.

If you saw the headlines this week and felt unsettled, you are not alone. Thousands of participants, families, and carers across Australia are asking the same questions right now: Will I lose my plan? Will my funding be cut? What happens to my child?

The short answer is: nothing changes for most participants right now. Your current plan stays intact until its end date. But there are real changes coming, and the more informed you are today, the better placed you will be when they arrive.

What has actually been announced?

On 22 April 2026, the Minister for Health announced a significant redesign of the NDIS, framed around long-term financial sustainability. The scheme is projected to cost over $50 billion this year, and the government's stated goal is to reduce that trajectory by $15 billion over several years. Here are the key changes, without the spin:

• Average plan funding will fall. The average annual plan will be reduced from around $31,000 back to approximately $26,000, the 2023 average. This is a scheme-wide target, not a flat cut applied to every plan individually.
• All participants will face an eligibility reassessment. New eligibility criteria are being developed. The government has signalled the reassessment process will not begin in full until 2028 at the earliest. Nothing happens immediately.
• Social and community participation funding will be reduced from 1 July 2026. This is the most immediate change. If community participation is a significant part of your current plan, start preparing now.
• Children with autism and developmental delays may transition to a new program. Thriving Kids launches from October 2026 for children aged 8 and under. Some children currently on the NDIS may move to this program rather than remaining on the scheme.
• New Framework Plans replace the current system from 1 April 2027. The new approach is described as strengths-based, focused on what supports you actually need rather than only what you cannot do.

What is not changing yet

Your current plan stays valid until its end date. This announcement does not change your existing funding today, and participants will not receive reassessment notices immediately. The new eligibility criteria have not yet been legislated or finalised.

There is also a $6 billion Foundational Supports commitment for people who may no longer qualify for the NDIS, covering community-based services. A separate $200 million Inclusive Communities Fund will target social and recreational participation. These are not replacements for NDIS funding, but they signal that the government recognises people exiting the scheme still have real support needs.

What you can do right now

The participants who come through NDIS changes in the strongest position are always the ones who are best prepared. Here is where to put your energy:

• Know exactly what is in your current plan. Before you can protect your funding, you need to understand what you have. Use the free Plan Decoder to get a plain-English breakdown of every dollar and support category in minutes.
• Start building your evidence file now. When reassessments arrive, participants with strong, current reports from their treating professionals (OT, GP, psychologist, specialist) will be far better positioned. Ask for updated reports that directly connect your disability to your support needs.
• Spend your funding purposefully. Significant unspent funding is one of the fastest signals the NDIA uses to justify reducing a plan at reassessment. The free Budget Calculator helps you track whether your spending is on pace for your plan period.
• Review your goals before your next planning conversation. The new Framework Plans from April 2027 will be built around your specific support needs. Use the free Goal Planner to get your goals in strong shape before your next conversation with your LAC or planner.