We know this news may raise questions and concerns for participants and families. While some details are still being finalised, we now have a clearer understanding of how the reforms are expected to affect NDIS participants.

At The Bridge, we are committed to providing clear information, practical support and guidance in our Reform Ready updates to help participants, families and our staff understand the changes to make informed decisions.

1. What supports are being affected?

The below support budgets will be progressively re-set as plans are reassessed or renewed:

  • Funding for Social, Civic and Community Participation (SCCP) supports in Core Supports to be reduced by 50% of the current plan budget.
  • Funding for Improved Daily Living inCapacity Building Supports to be reduced by 10% of the current plan budget.
  • Participants with high support needs (those requiring 24-hour care) can request a NDIA funding review through a new plan variation pathway. If approved, funding can be restored to areas such as Home and Living or Assistance with Daily Living, rather than their SCCP budget. (Funding comes back just in a different way.)

2. What supports will not be affected?

The below support budgets are not expected to impact the following:

  • Participants with employment supports (plans need to show employment supports or disability related health support)
  • Funding for critical care where supports are necessary for core daily living needs are explicitly protected from the funding resets.
  • Participants with Specialised Disability Accommodation supports.

3. When will these changes happen?

The reforms won’t happen all at once. Some changes have started now, with the biggest changes beginning in October 2026 and others being introduced over the following two years. Here are the main changes we know:

From 1 October 2026, funding for Social, Civic and Community Participation will be cut by 50%, and funding for Capacity Building Daily Activities will be cut by 10% for new and reassessed NDIS plans. These changes will happen gradually as participants have their plans reassessed. Participants with high support needs who require 24-hour care can apply through a new variation pathway to have funding restored in other parts of their plan.

From December 2026, all claims must be submitted within 90 days.

From February, plan renewals will replace plan rollovers, and any unspent funding will no longer carry over.

From April 2027, there will be a new way of planning (more details to come).

From January 2028, access changes will begin and all existing participants will be reassessed over 3 years.

Timeline of NDIS Amendment Bill changes from Aug 2026 to 2028, phased across five stages with details per period
Download Timeline

4. What if a plan ends before 1st October?

We recommend that participants request a plan rollover rather than a plan assessment wherever possible. Unless there has been a significant change in circumstances, avoiding a review now may help prevent the plan being reassessed twice, as many plans are expected to be reviewed again between October 2026 and September 2027.

Note below what “Rollover” and “Review” mean:

Rollover

A rollover is when a current NDIS plan continues without a full review. Funding and supports usually stay the same. From February 2027, there will be no more plan rollovers – only plan renewals with the funding cuts applied.

Renewal

A renewal is when an existing plan ends and a plan budget is indexed and extended with the same or minor changes.

The process will be adopted for plan reviews from February 2027 which we expect will be automatic and will not include any assessment based on circumstances or goals.

It is also important to note that the government is not going to allow appeals to this process.

5. What should participants and families do now?

Check whether plans are due to end before 1st October 2026.  If so, ask for a rollover.

Plan ahead!  We do not know which plans will be reviewed or when and they might not receive any prior notification. 

For now, we encourage participants and families to:

  • Review the current NDIS plan and goals
  • Maximise any unused funding on supports to meet your goals
  • Keep reporting and supporting information up to date
  • Write down any questions
  • Plan ahead and stay informed

As unspent funds will not roll over into a new plan, we encourage participants to make the most of their current funding before their plan renewal date. The Bridge is also developing additional service options that may help participants maximise the value of their current plan.

6. Where can participants get support?

Participants can get support from:

  • The Bridge team
  • A Support Coordinator
  • Their Local Area Coordinator (LAC)
  • The National Disability Insurance Agency (details below)
  • Family members, carers and advocates

The Bridge is here to help. As a registered NDIS provider since the Scheme commenced, The Bridge will continue to provide regular Reform Ready updates, practical guidance and quality supports throughout these changes.