12 November 2026
Support determinations: what are they and how could it impact me?
Changes to funding for some NDIS supports started on 1 October 2026. These changes are called support determinations.
What is a support determination and how does it work?
A support determination allows the Minister for the NDIS to cut funding for specified types of supports in participants’ plans.
These cuts are not because a participant has done anything wrong.
The support determination will cut the following categories in an NDIS plan:
- 50% of Social and Community Participation (Core)
- 10% of Capacity Building (Improved Daily Living)
These cuts apply to these categories of supports, not your whole NDIS plan. Some supports are excluded, and there are protections for some participants. We explain these below.
The support determination itself cannot be reviewed. This means you cannot appeal the decision with the NDIS to stop the cut to your plan.
When will the cuts apply?
The cuts are being introduced over 12 months:
- From 1 October 2026, as plans are reassessed
- From 1 February 2027, as plans are reassessed or renewed.
Participants with funding in the impacted categories will have their plans reassessed or renewed by 30 September 2027, even if their current plan has a later end date. If the end date of your plan is after 30 September 2027, you will be given an earlier plan end date. The NDIA should give you 60 days notice of when this will be.
Which supports are excluded?
The cuts do not apply to certain types of supports within the affected categories:
- Participants with high supports needs (see below)
- Employment supports
- High intensity supports, and intensive and complex behaviour supports
- Disability-related health supports (Capacity Building)
- Customised and wearable technology and hearing services
You can find a list of supports that are not affected on the NDIS website.
What protections are available for people with high support needs?
There is a new plan variation pathway for people who meet the NDIS definition of a high support needs participant. To qualify, you must meet both of these conditions:
- Have a combined budget of $215,030 or more before the cuts across Assistance with Daily Life, Home and Living, and Assistance with Social, Economic and Community Participation; and
- receive 24-hour funded NDIS supports for support needs arising directly from the impairments they access the NDIS for.
If you meet these conditions, the cuts will still apply to your plan. You can then apply for a plan variation within 90 days of the cuts being applied.
If your remaining funding cannot safely cover your 24-hour disability supports, the NDIA may increase funding in other parts of your plan. This does not mean all the funding you lost will be restored.
Our advocacy
We have many questions and concerns about support determinations. We are continuing to talk to the government and the NDIA about the significant impact these cuts could have on people with Down syndrome and their families.
We are asking:
- How will people who need 24-hour support be protected when their families provide much of that support?
- How is the impact of the cut on families and informal supports being considered?
- How can participants correct information that is wrong or missing from NDIA records?
- How can people get help if the cuts put them or their unpaid carers at serious risk?
We will keep you updated on our work.
On Wednesday 11 November, the Down Syndrome Australia Consortium hosted a webinar on support determinations.
Learn more about our work on the NDIS, and access webinar recordings and presentation slides here.
What can I do next?
We know these changes may feel stressful and overwhelming. These steps can help you prepare.
First, check your NDIS plan, or your family member’s plan, to see whether you have Social and Community Participation (Core) or Capacity Building (Improved Daily Living).
If it does, check whether any of those supports are excluded from the cuts. You can also check whether you meet the criteria for the high support needs plan variation pathway.
Think about what you or your family member use this funding for and what a cut could mean. Ask your NDIS contact or support coordinator, if you have one, what options are available within your plan.
We encourage you to share your experience through our online form here. You can also contact your federal MP to explain how these changes affect you and your family.
You can also contact your local state or territory Down syndrome organisation for support, or an advocacy organisation via DANA’s ‘find an advocate‘ webpage.
Tell us about your experience of NDIS changes by filling out this form here.