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’re committed to providing timely information, practical guidance and quality support services as more information becomes available.

What Happens When the Reforms Start 

The main NDIS reforms will begin from October 2026. These changes will affect how some supports are funded and how plans are reassessed or renewed. While some funding reductions are happening, there are also protections in place for participants with high support needs and those accessing employment related supports or Specialised Disability Accommodation (SDA). 

Key changes include: 

  • Social, Civic and Community Participation supports: 50% reduction in funding 
  • Capacity Building – Daily Living supports: 10% reduction in funding 
  • Critical care funding where support is required to ensure essential daily care needs are being met are explicitly protected from the funding resets 
  • Employment-related supports: not expected to be affected (plans need to show employment supports in them) 
  • Specialised Disability Accommodation (SDA): not expected to be affected 

If you have high support needs and the funding changes mean your plan no longer covers essential 24/7 care, you will be able to apply for a plan variation. This allows you to ask the NDIA to review your funding within 90 days of your plan being renewed or reassessed. 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.) 

What Else Should You Know?

The reforms will be introduced in stages over the next two years. Some changes will start in October 2026, while others will come into effect later. 

Key things to know: 

  • All plans on the NDIS will be reassessed or renewed from October 2026 to September 2027. 
  • From October 2026, the 50% reduction to social and community participation funding and 10% to Capacity Building – Daily Living will apply when a participant’s plan is renewed or reassessed. This is only for new participant plans and plans that are being reassessed (1 in 6 plans affected). 
  • From February 2027, changes to plan renewals and how necessary supports are assessed will begin. Reductions apply as plans automatically renew from 1st February – 30th September 2027 (remaining 5 in 6 plans to be affected.) Plan renewals will replace plan rollovers, and any unused funds will not be carried over. 
  • Participants will only be able to request a budget reassessment if they experience a significant and ongoing change in their circumstances. 
  • From January 2028, a new eligibility test based on a person’s functional capacity will be introduced. This test has not yet been developed and will be designed by a technical advisory group. 

We understand these changes may feel overwhelming. The Bridge is here to help. If you have questions about your plan or what these reforms mean for you, please speak with your Site Coordinator. Our Support Coordination team can also help you understand the changes, prepare for plan reviews and explore your options. 

If Your Plan Ends Before 1 October

If your NDIS plan is due to end before 1 October 2026, we continue to recommend seeking a plan rollover rather than a plan reassessment where possible. 

A rollover allows your current plan to continue without a full reassessment and may help avoid having your plan reviewed more than once within a short period. 

We also encourage you to plan ahead and make the most of their available funding before their current plan ends. 

As always, every participant’s circumstances are different and it’s important to consider what is best for your individual situation. 

What You Can Do Next

You do not need to understand every NDIS change straight away. Before your next plan review, take some time to review your current plan, think about your goals, keep your reports up to date, and write down any questions you may have. 

The Bridge is here to help. As a registered NDIS provider with decades of experience, we will continue to support participants and families to prepare for plan reviews, make informed decisions, and access quality, person-centred supports. We will also continue to share trusted information through our Reform Ready updates.

Have Questions About Your Plan?

You can speak with your service provider, Support Coordinator, Local Area Coordinator (LAC) or the NDIA directly to better understand your options and prepare for future plan reviews. 

The Bridge will continue to provide trusted information, practical guidance and quality supports throughout these changes.

Richard Dawe

CEO, The Bridge Inc