7 May, 2026
DSA Consortium response to “Securing the NDIS for future generations”
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is a core part of Australia’s social infrastructure. It supports people with disability to take part fully in work, education and community life.
The NDIS also reduces long-term costs across hospitals, income support, aged care and crisis services. It supports hundreds of thousands of jobs and plays a key role in Australia’s care economy.
On 22 April 2026, the Government announced significant changes to the NDIS as part of “Securing the NDIS for future generations”.
Reform is needed, but it must be done carefully.
Changes should strengthen and protect the NDIS. They must ensure people receive quality supports and that the NDIS continues to deliver value for the whole community.
The Down Syndrome Australia Consortium believes these changes should be guided by the findings of the NDIS Review, the Disability Royal Commission, Australia’s Disability Strategy, and Australia’s obligations under the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
Extensive consultation with the disability community is essential. Reforms must be shaped by the people they affect and must deliver real improvements in people’s lives.
NDIS reforms announced
The table below outlines each proposed NDIS reform in date order of when it is expected to be introduced. It also includes our initial response to each item.
The Government has said it will work closely with the disability community on these reforms. We will continue to advocate for our community and keep you updated as more information becomes available.
It is important to know that nothing has changed yet for individual plans or supports. These changes are expected to be introduced over several years.
If you think changes have already affected your plan or supports, please contact us at: advocacy@downsyndrome.org.au
Definitions:
We support this in principle.
This means we agree with the main idea, but the details are not final yet.
We need more information.
This means we cannot make a decision yet because we need clearer details or answers.
We have significant concerns.
This means we are worried about important parts of this and cannot support it as it is now.
Unscheduled re-assessments
Timing: By 30 June 2026
The Government plans to change the rules for unscheduled reassessments. This means there may be clearer rules about when a reassessment can happen. People should still be able to ask for changes if their support needs change.
Our response:
We need more information
We support changes that prevent re-assessments happening without the person or their nominee’s approval. It is important these changes do not make it harder for people to get the support they need.
Pricing
Timing: By 30 June 2026
The Government plans to move pricing decisions to the Minister Disability and the NDIS.
It will also consult on different pricing for some unregistered providers, including those delivering social and community participation, capacity building supports and daily living supports.
Our response:
We need more information
We support pricing that rewards quality and consistency.
Changes must be carefully designed. If pricing is too blunt, it could reduce the workforce, especially in areas already facing shortages like allied health and specialist disability services.
Fraud and non-compliance
Timing: By mid-2027
The Government plans to strengthen how the NDIA detects and responds to fraud and non-compliance.
This includes better data and monitoring, new regulatory controls and further steps to reduce conflicts of interest.
Our response:
We support this in principle
We support action to address fraud and exploitation in the NDIS.
Home and Living supports
Timing: Consultation from July 2026
The Government plans to introduce a new commissioning approach for Supported Independent Living for people who need 24/7 support. This is intended to improve outcomes and address provider viability challenges
Our response:
We need more information
We have concerns about this approach. If not designed carefully, this could lead to more standardised models of care. It may reduce access to specialist and individualised supports, especially for people with complex needs.
There is also a risk of moving towards more group-based models if flexibility is not protected.
NDIS Claims and Payment systems
Timing: From July 2026, rolled out by 2030
The Government plans to increase the evidence required to claim NDIS supports, including payments at the point of service.
Our response:
We support this in principle
We support changes that improve integrity and make the system easier to use.
Changes must be proportionate to amounts being claimed and must be accessible and easy for a participant to comply with.
Social, civic and community participation
Timing: From 1 October 2026
The Government plans to reset budgets for social and community participation and capacity building supports.
It will also introduce a $200 million Inclusive Communities Fund to support community organisations to host participation activities.
Our response:
We have significant concerns
These supports are essential. They help people to study, parent, build relationships, take part in the community and live with dignity.
For many people, they are the main way they stay connected. Reducing them risks increased isolation, poorer mental health and more pressure on families and other informal supports.
The proposed fund will not replace the scale of existing supports.
Reasonable and necessary
Timing: From 1 February 2027
The Government plans to strengthen guidance on what is considered reasonable and necessary support.
Our response:
We need more information
We are concerned changes to how supports are assessed may limit access or create uncertainty.
Plan rollovers
Timing: From 1 February 2027
The Government plans to end plan rollovers and stop unspent funds being carried over.
Our response:
We need more information
We support regular plan reviews. However, rollovers can work well for people with stable needs and should not be removed entirely.
New Framework Planning
Timing: From 1 April 2027
The Government has delayed the introduction of new planning approaches, including support needs assessments and new ways of setting budgets
Our response:
We support this in principle
We support this delay. It reflects clear feedback from the disability community that the system was not ready. A phased rollout, with proper co-design and testing, could improve outcomes and build trust.
It is important that the tools used to assess support needs are fair, accurate and reflect the real experiences of people with disability.
There also needs to be transparency around how funding decisions are made, including any limits, benchmarks or constraints.
Provider registration
Timing: From July 2027 rolled out by the end of 2030
The Government plans to expand mandatory provider registration and introduce a new enrolment system.
Our response:
We support this in principle
Stronger registration can improve quality and safety.
If not done carefully, this could reduce the number of providers and limit choice. We support the NDIS Provider and Worker Registration Taskforce recommendation of a graduated, risk proportionate registration system.
There is also a risk of disruption to continuity of care if changes are introduced too quickly.
Plan management
Timing: From October 2027 (with a six-month transition period)
The Government plans to introduce a panel of plan management providers to improve quality and reduce fraud.
Our response:
We support this in principle
We support improvements that strengthen integrity and support participants. This could improve consistency and reduce misuse.
But it may limit choice if participants cannot select their preferred provider.
Interaction with Mainstream services
Timing: from January 2028
The Government plans to reinforce boundaries between the NDIS and mainstream services.
It also plans to more consistently assess whether the NDIS is the right system of support, including where treatment may reduce or address a person’s impairment.
Our response:
We have significant concerns
We have serious concerns about these changes. These reforms do not just reinforce boundaries. In some cases, they appear to change them, including for people already in the NDIS.
The NDIS needs to work alongside health, education and community services. If these systems are not strengthened at the same time, people may lose access to supports and fall through gaps.
There is also a real risk of costs being shifted to families and individuals.
The introduction of foundational supports is part of this picture, but there is still limited detail on how these supports will be delivered in practice.
Scheme eligibility
Timing: from January 2028
The Government plans to introduce standardised assessments of a person’s functional capacity to determine access to the NDIS.
It also plans to remove diagnosis lists as the main way people enter the NDIS.
Our response:
We have significant concerns
We have serious concerns about these changes. Assessments must look at more than a person’s function at one point in time. They need to consider how a person’s needs may change over time, their family situation and the long-term outcomes of early support.
Removing diagnosis lists must not mean diagnosis is ignored. A diagnosis should still be considered as part of any assessment of eligibility.
We understand these changes relate to the lifelong disability pathway under section 24 of the NDIS Act. The early intervention pathway under section 25 remains. We are concerned that these changes could still affect access to early intervention.
Support coordination
Timing: From 1 July 2028
The Government plans to introduce a new, more efficient function for support coordination and system navigation.
Our response:
We support this in principle
We support improvements that help people understand their options and make informed choices.
A stronger navigation function could improve access and outcomes.
It will be important that it remains independent and flexible to meet different needs.