The NDIS is undergoing major changes this year, with new processes, pricing updates and legislative changes affecting all people on the NDIS.
Funding periods, a new planning framework and support needs assessments are all being introduced. Some changes are already in place, while others will be phased in over the coming months and years.
We provide an update on the most important changes to help you stay informed and get the most out of your NDIS Plan.
Funding periods are here.
- From 19 May, all new and reassessed NDIS Plans will include funding periods
- A funding period is a set block of time (eg. 3 months) when you can use the NDIS funding that has been released from your plan
- This means the funds in your NDIS Plan will no longer be released all at once
- Your plan funding is now split into ‘funding components’ (previously known as budget categories)
- You can only spend available money released in the current or previous funding period
- Funding periods aim to reduce the risk of over or under-spending.
Learn more: NDIS Funding periods: What you need to know.
Annual pricing review.
- The NDIS is introducing pricing changes based on recommendations from the 2024-2025 Annual Price Review (APR)
- Price limits will be reduced for some therapy supports after research conducted by the NDIA confirmed that, in some cases, people with disability have been paying more for certain therapies
- Higher price loading will be removed for physiotherapy and psychology in WA, SA, Tasmania and NT
- Travel costs claimable by therapists will be decreased
- Price limits will be increased for Level 1 Support Coordination and psychologists in NSW, VIC, QLD and ACT
- The 2025-26 Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits (PAPL) has been published, with new pricing taking effect from 1 July 2025.
Learn more: Annual Pricing Review.
New planning framework.
- The NDIS is moving to a new planning process that aims to provide more individualised and flexible plans
- This covers how people can access the scheme, how support needs are assessed and how budgets are created
- Plans will fall under the ‘old’ and ‘new’ frameworks during a five-year transition
- Some participants continue with the current process for now, while all new and reassessed plans will be new framework plans.
Learn more: NDIS changes: New planning framework.
Support needs assessments.
- A new process for working out each person’s support needs will form part of the new planning framework
- These assessments will focus on support needs rather than functional capacity and shape your NDIS budget
- The NDIS is currently testing this new approach to gathering information and setting budgets
- Support needs assessments are expected to begin rolling out in September 2025.
Learn more: FAQs about legislation: Support needs assessments.
Replacement supports make some non-NDIS supports accessible.
- When the NDIS published new support lists outlining what it will and won’t fund, it also introduced replacement supports.
- A replacement support is a service, item or piece of equipment that you’d like to use instead of an NDIS support or supports in your plan
- Replacement supports, such as some household items and smart devices, may be funded in certain situations, even though they’re not generally considered NDIS supports
- A replacement support must meet strict criteria and be purchased with the existing budget in your plan
- There is an application process and approval must be granted by the NDIS before purchase.
Learn more: NDIS replacement supports.
Impairment notices.
- An ‘impairment notice’ is a document that outlines how you meet the NDIS access criteria, either through the disability or early intervention requirements, or both
- All new NDIS participants now receive an impairment notice. This replaces the current access decision letter. Existing participants will receive one when they move to a new plan.
- Impairments will be directly linked to funding decisions. Your planner will use this information to help decide what supports are funded.
- Any supports purchased with NDIS funds must meet the updated definition of NDIS supports and relate to the listed impairment.
Learn more: Your complete guide to the NDIS changes.
Stay informed.
Further changes to planning, funding and supports will be introduced in late 2025 and 2026. We’ll continue to keep you updated as more information becomes available.
Visit our dedicated NDIS changes page on the Leap in! website, for all the latest information.
