Keep up to date with the latest NDIS news and changes. We explain what is changing, when it is happening and what it could mean for participants, families and providers.
16/10/2026
Thriving Kids is a new approach to early intervention for children aged 0–8 with developmental delay or autism and low to moderate support needs.
The program aims to help families find trusted information, understand their child’s development and connect with support earlier. Children do not need a diagnosis to access Thriving Kids supports.
The first phase began on 1 October 2026. New Australia-wide supports available now include:
More Thriving Kids services will be introduced progressively.
At this stage:
The Victorian Government’s Thriving Kids information for families page will provide the latest information about how Thriving Kids is being introduced in Victoria.
Support available or planned in Victoria includes:
Additional autism assessments will be available through the Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre, known as OTARC.
These assessments are intended to support:
Families can speak with their GP or Maternal and Child Health Nurse, or email otarc@latrobe.edu.au for more information.
From January 2027, two new developmental checks will begin in selected areas of Victoria:
The initial locations are:
The checks will help identify children who may benefit from additional support and connect families with appropriate services sooner. The timeframe for introducing these checks in other Victorian regions is yet to be confirmed.
Targeted supports will also begin in the six initial locations. These may be provided individually or in small groups by allied health professionals and early childhood intervention practitioners, with support focused on a child’s specific developmental goals.
These services are not yet available, and more information about how families can access them will be released as the program develops. Thriving Kids supports are intended to be available more broadly by January 2028.
Download Early Childhood Intervention Australia's Easy Read guide: Thriving Kids in Victoria
The guide explains who Thriving Kids is for, what support is available now and where families can find more information.
Find more information
Thriving Kids Information and Resources Hub
Thriving Kids Autism Helpline
Thriving Kids information for Victorian families
https://www.health.gov.au/thrivingkids
13/10/2026
Two changes to NDIS claims are being introduced in late 2026. These changes make it important for participants, providers and plan managers to submit claims and invoices promptly.
From 15 October 2026, the NDIA will increase checks on claims submitted more than 90 days after an NDIS support is delivered.
The checks apply to claims submitted by self-managed participants, plan managers and providers. Older claims may be held for up to 28 days while the NDIA confirms that the claim is for an NDIS support and includes the required evidence and information.
A claim will not automatically be rejected because it’s more than 90 days old. However, the NDIA may request further information, and the claim may take longer to process. If a claim is rejected, the agency will explain why.
A further change will take effect from 1 December 2026.
From this date, claims for NDIS supports will generally need to be submitted within 90 days of the support being delivered. This replaces the current claiming timeframe of up to two years.
Late claims may only be considered in exceptional circumstances where genuine barriers prevented the claim from being submitted within the required timeframe.
Important note: The 90-day period is counted from the date the support was delivered, not the date the invoice was issued. Providers should therefore send invoices promptly rather than waiting until the end of the 90-day period.
This change is part of the National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Act 2026.
The key difference: From 15 October, claims older than 90 days may undergo additional checks. From 1 December, 90 days will generally become the timeframe for submitting a claim.
If we manage your NDIS funding, we submit claims on your behalf, so you don’t need to manage the claiming process yourself.
However, we need to receive invoices from your providers early enough to check and submit them within the required timeframe.
To help us process your invoices promptly and keep your plan balance up to date:
Submit claims as soon as possible after paying for a support. This can help you receive reimbursement sooner and reduce the risk of additional checks or a claim falling outside the new timeframe.
Remember to:
Important note: If a provider submits an invoice late, your displayed plan balance may not include that outstanding cost. Prompt invoicing gives you a clearer and more accurate view of the funding available in your plan.
While we will always endeavour to process compliant invoices promptly, payment cannot be guaranteed where an invoice is submitted late or there is no longer enough funding available in the participant’s plan.
Please send complete and accurate invoices promptly after delivering supports. This helps participants maintain an up-to-date view of their funding and gives plan managers enough time to check and submit claims.
To support smoother processing of your invoices you may use the Brevity NDIS invoice template and detailed guide.
Providers should:
The service delivery date, rather than the invoice date, determines when the 90-day period begins. Delaying the issue of an invoice does not restart or extend that period.
For more information, read the official NDIS update on increased checks for older claims.
01/10/2026
From 1 October 2026, the NDIA began introducing reductions to available funding for some supports across two NDIS support categories:
The reductions are being introduced over 12 months, between 1 October 2026 and 30 September 2027. They apply when:
Important: If you receive funding for these supports and have not had a plan created or reassessed since 1 October 2026, your plan will be renewed by 30 September 2027. The NDIA will contact you 60 days before your plan renewal.
Some supports in these categories are not affected including:
NDIS has published a full list of supports that are not affected by this change
No. Current plans don't automatically change from 1 October 2026. Participants can continue using their existing plans until the plan is reassessed or renewed.
A separate variation pathway is available for eligible participants who receive 24-hour disability support.
The pathway is intended to help participants maintain safe 24-hour disability supports if the funding reduction leaves insufficient funding for those supports
For the purpose of this pathway, a participant has high support needs if the participant:
An eligible participant can apply within 90 days of the funding reduction being applied after the plan is created, reassessed or renewed. The NDIA may extend this period by written notice in exceptional circumstances.
Only the participant or the participant’s nominee can request the variation. If the participant does not have a nominee, another person, such as a support worker or advocate, may help the participant apply. The NDIA cannot initiate this type of plan variation
If the participant meets the requirements, the NDIA may increase funding for specific supports to maintain the participant’s safe 24-hour disability supports at the required support ratio.
Funding may be increased for:
Funding cannot be restored to the Social, Economic and Community Participation or Improved Daily Living Skills support groups through this pathway. The increase also cannot be more than the amount removed through the funding reduction.
Participants can request a review of decisions about:
If you have any question or concerns about this change, reach out to your support worker or call our NDIS team on 1300 946 337.
View our NDIS services to find the right supports for your NDIS plan
Read more about this update here
01/10/2026
From October 1, new NDIS legislation allows a participant’s plan to be suspended if they do not respond to reasonable attempts by the NDIA to contact them.
Official information says the National Disability Insurance Agency must:
Attempts do not count while the participant is in hospital, in an institution or experiencing homelessness.
The official fact sheet also says participant status may be revoked if the plan has been suspended for at least 90 days and the person remains uncontactable.
To help make sure you receive important information:
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Phone: 1300 946 337
Email: info@windermere.org.au
Windermere is committed to equity, inclusion and belonging for consumers and employees, by building diverse and inclusive services and work environments, where all peoples from Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander, Culturally & Linguistically Diverse, LGBTIQ+ Communities and those living with disability will know and feel accepted, affirmed, safe and celebrated. Windermere is delivering this through the continued development and implementation of our Welcoming and Inclusion Strategy 2021-2024. If you require an interpreter, we can arrange
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