From 1 October, 2026, a number of changes were introduced by the NDIS. We’ve summarised these changes below to help you better understand the potential impact they may have to your NDIS plan.
Funding Reduction for some Support Budgets will come into effect
Starting from 1 October, the NDIS will be reducing support budget over the coming 12 months. It will reduce participant budgets for two support categories:
- Social Economic and Community Participation – down by 50%
- Improved Daily Living Skills – reducing by 10%
This change is part of the new NDIS laws, and you can find more information on the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing’s website .
The budget reductions will be introduced when plans are created or reassessed from 1 October 2026, or renewed from 1 February 2027. As all NDIS plans are based on individual participant goals, circumstances and support needs, this change will impact everyone differently. Some groups of supports in these categories won’t be affected. This includes supports in employment, disability-related health supports, high intensity supports, and intensive and complex behaviour supports.
The NDIS prioritises Participant safety and wellbeing and as such other parts of participant plans will not be affected by these changes.
Other supports that won’t be affected include essential day-to-day supports like help with eating, drinking, dressing, toileting, laundry, cleaning, nurse care, medication, home and vehicle modifications, personal mobility equipment or specialist disability accommodation.
The NDIS wish to inform participants that these changes are not reviewable decisions but participants can still request plan changes, including a plan reassessment or plan variation, if their circumstances change. They may consider a plan reassessment if there has been a significant and ongoing change in your:
- ability to complete daily activities
- living arrangements
- education or employment circumstances
- available informal supports.
NDIS registration for Supported Independent Living (SIL) Providers is now compulsory
Supported Independent Living (SIL) Providers must be fully registered with the NDIS by October 1, 2026. This is to ensure safety and consistency for all participants accessing these services. This means that plan managers must now ensure that the NDIS registration number is shown on invoices so that they can verify this registration prior to processing claims.
NDIA New No Contact Rules
Commencing October 1, 2026, the NDIA MUST make at least five direct contact attempts before taking action on a participant’s plan.
Key Requirements for NDIA Contact:
- Five-Attempt Rule: The NDIA must make at least five direct contact attempts using your recorded preferred method of communication.
- Written Follow-Up: If your preferred method is verbal (such as a phone call), at least one of the attempts must be made in writing.
- Strict Timeframe: The fifth and final attempt must happen at least 3 months, and no more than 4 months, after the first attempt.
- Exemptions: Contact attempts do not count if you are in the hospital, living in another institution, or experiencing homelessness.
- Plan Suspension or Revocation: If the NDIA cannot reach you after these steps, they may suspend your plan. If there is no contact for 90 days after suspension, your participant status may be removed.
If you require plan management or support coordination assistance in managing these changes, contact the Specialised Plan Services team today.