Understanding the new NDIS changes
Stay up to date with the latest changes affecting your NDIS
CSBS is following the latest NDIS changes closely, check in to stay up to date.
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) continues to evolve. On this page you’ll find how these changes may affect people with disablity, their nominees, families, and the wider support community. From legislative reforms to changes in funding structures and plan management, staying informed is key to making the most of the Scheme.
This page is dedicated to unpacking important updates from the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) and the broader NDIS landscape. Whether you’re a participant, carer, support coordinator, or provider, we aim to help you understand what’s changing, why it matters, and how it might affect your day-to-day experience with the NDIS.
We’ll share practical insights, examples, and guidance to support you in navigating these updates with confidence.
Check back regularly for the latest insights, tips, and key takeaways on all things NDIS.
Latest Updates
July 28th
NDIS Reforms 2026: The Changes Everyone, their Family and Provider Should Know About.
Over the past few weeks, we’ve seen hundreds of comments, conversations and media discussions about one particular aspect of the proposed NDIS reforms: family support.
Initially, we thought the discussion was about a fairly technical policy question: where the boundary sits between family responsibility and NDIS-funded support.
The comments suggested something deeper. Many of the concerns were not actually about parenting. They were about ageing, sustainability and the future.
July 20th
NDIS Reforms 2026: The Changes Everyone, their Family and Provider Should Know About.
Recent changes proposed through the NDIS Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026 represent some of the most significant reforms since the NDIS began.
The Government says the reforms are designed to improve sustainability, strengthen safeguards, reduce fraud, and ensure the Scheme remains available for future generations.
While not all changes have been finalised, the direction is becoming increasingly clear:
The future NDIS will be more structured, more evidence-based, and more tightly regulated than the Scheme we know today.
June 16th
What’s happening right now with the NDIS reforms – and why it matters.
There’s a lot of conversation right now about proposed changes to the NDIS.
If you’ve been following the news, you’ll have seen strong reactions from across the disability sector, state governments, advocates, and participants themselves. At the same time, the Federal Government has made it clear it intends to push ahead with reforms aimed at controlling the rising cost of the scheme.
For participants, families, and providers, this can feel confusing and, at times, unsettling.
May 26th
The NDIS just spelled out its evidence hierarchy. Here’s what it means
Over the coming weeks, you’ll see a steady stream of short videos from us about the NDIS reforms introduced to Parliament last week. Almost every one of them will carry the same hashtag — #IAmMoreThanICannotDo.
May 20th
“I am more than I cannot do”: the story behind our NDIS reform coverage
Over the coming weeks, you’ll see a steady stream of short videos from us about the NDIS reforms introduced to Parliament last week. Almost every one of them will carry the same hashtag — #IAmMoreThanICannotDo.
April 23rd
NDIS Reforms Announced: What We Know, What’s Changing, and How CSBS Will Support You
Recent announcements from the Australian Government have outlined planned reforms to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), described as the most significant changes since the Scheme began.
March 19th
NDIS Planning Set for Major Changes from 2026
The NDIS is introducing a new planning system designed to make things simpler, fairer, and more flexible for participants. The changes aim to reduce paperwork, focus more on individual needs, and allow more time and funding to go directly toward supports.
Janurary 05th
NDIS Mandatory Registration: Keeping People at the Centre
On December 17th, 2025 the NDIS commision stated.
“The Albanese Government has announced today that mandatory registration for disability service providers in Supported Independent Living (SIL), as well as platform providers, will begin from 1 July 2026.
This means that every provider delivering these NDIS-funded supports must register with the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission.
All Supported Independent Living and platform providers will be subject to high quality standards and independent audits, suitability assessments, reporting requirements and worker screening checks.
The take home is this – the NDIS is changing… again.
November 22nd
AI, Assistive Technology & the NDIS: Keeping People at the Centre
The NDIS is exploring new digital and technology-led ways of working, including automated assessments and frameworks for AI-enabled assistive technology.
While these changes aim to reduce red tape and direct more funding to supports, they also raise important questions about transparency, fairness, and how decisions that affect people’s lives are made.
At CSBS, we believe technology can be helpful – but only when it supports human judgement, protects dignity, and keeps the voices of the people we support at the centre of every decision.
Progress matters. So do safeguards.
August 08th
Understanding NDIS Funding Periods: What They Are & How to Use Them.
What’s Changing?
-
Funding Periods Introduced
NDIS plans approved on or after 9 October 2024 now include defined funding periods—time blocks that determine when certain supports are available and for how long. -
Stricter Spending Rules
The NDIA can no longer pay for supports that exceed your plan’s total budget, or go beyond what’s allocated to a specific funding period—even if supports have already been delivered. -
Unspent Funds Roll Over
Funds not used during one funding period carry over to the next. This flexibility can be used strategically.
Why This Matters
Funding periods affect when and how you can spend your NDIS budget. Overspending early could leave you without support later. But with good planning, you can request that important categories—like therapy or IDL (Improved Daily Living)—be front-loaded to give you greater control throughout your plan.
“People’s lives don’t work neatly in periods… but you can ask your planner to release funds in a way that reflects your real-life needs.”
— Vickie, CSBS Founder & Director
Next Steps
- Talk to your support coordinator about your current funding periods
Ask your planner about front-loading support categories
Contact the NDIA if you’re unsure about your plan setup or if your needs change - NDIA Helpline: 1800 800 110
Februray 03rd
The NDIA has extended the reassessments timeline from 28-day to a 90-day timeframe.
What’s Changing?
- More Time: Participants now have 90 days (instead of 28) to provide supporting information.
- Clearer Communication: Improved resources to explain the process more clearly.
- Better Support: The NDIA is working with participants and the disability sector to make reassessments easier to navigate.
Why This Matters
Eligibility reassessments help determine whether a participant’s support needs have changed. While this has always been part of the NDIS, for many, it’s a new and overwhelming process. Our goal is to make every interaction supportive, clear, and fair.
Next Steps
More improvements are on the way, with final changes expected by March 2025.
October 28th
The Australian Government has released a media statement strengthen the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission’s powers. This means tougher penalties and stricter regulations for providers who don’t meet the standards.
Key provisions of the bill:
- Enhanced Regulatory Powers: The Commission will have increased authority to investigate and take action against non-compliant providers.
- Stricter Penalties: Penalties for breaches of the NDIS Act will be significantly increased, including potential criminal charges.
- Expanded Banning Powers: The Commission will have greater power to ban individuals and organisations from providing NDIS services.
- Increased Transparency and Accountability: The bill will strengthen transparency and accountability measures, including mandatory reporting requirements for providers.
October 02nd
Effective October 3, 2024, the NDIS is introducing several key changes to enhance clarity and flexibility for participants.
Key Highlights:
- New Definition of NDIS Supports: A new definition has been introduced to guide the use of NDIS funding.
- Transition Period: A 12-month grace period is in place to help participants adjust to the new rules.
- Flexibility for Unique Needs: The “substitution rule” allows for the use of non-NDIS supports in specific circumstances.
- Clearer Funding Structure: Plans now have total budgets, funding components, and defined funding periods
September 16th
A message from the NDIS CEO about changes to NDIS legislation
The NDIS is changing. Starting from October 3rd, 2024, there will be updates to how NDIS funding is used and planned.
Key Changes inlcude: Clearer Spending Rules, Revised Budgeting and Longer Plan Periods.
September 05th
Getting the NDIS Back on Track No. 1 Bill 2024 receives Royal Assent
The new NDIS laws were officially approved on September 5th, 2024. These changes will start to take effect on October 3rd, 2024. Some changes will happen right away in October, but others will be introduced gradually as they’re planned and put in place.
August 22nd
Getting the NDIS Back on Track – Bill passes through Parliament
Starting October 3rd, there will be new rules about how you can spend your NDIS money. Some of these changes will happen right away, while others will be introduced gradually. The NDIS is still finalising the exact details of these changes, but they’ll let you know before October 3rd.
Getting Started Is Easy
Connect
Call us on 1300 18 11 88, fill in our general contact form or complete a referral form and tell us about the supports you are looking for.
Talk
Are we a good fit for your needs? Let’s take the time to find out.
Plan
Then we Discover, Design, Deliver & Develop – our 4D‘s!
Supports We Offer
Supported Independent Living
Complex Care & Support
Hospital to Home Support
We work with you, your family, and your healthcare team to understand your unique needs and find suitable housing options. Our understanding of the NDIS will help guide you.
Community Supports
In Home Supports
We offer a wide range of NDIS-funded in-home support services designed to empower you to live your life on your terms.
