Latest NDIS updates

What this means for you

• The effect will be different for each participant
• Other parts of your NDIS plan are not affected by this change
• You can continue using your current plan until it is reassessed or renewed
• You can still request a plan reassessment or variation if your circumstances or support needs significantly change

Is additional protection available for people with high support needs?

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:

• has a combined plan budget of $215,030 or more, before the funding reduction, across:
  • Assistance with Daily Life
  • Home and Living
  • Assistance with Social, Economic and Community Participation
• receives NDIS-funded support throughout the day and night for ongoing needs related to the impairments through which the participant accesses the NDIS

Applying for the high support needs plan variation

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:

• Assistance with Daily Life
• Home and Living supports

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.

Can the decision be reviewed

Participants can request a review of decisions about:

• whether they meet the definition of a high support needs participant
• whether their plan variation is approved

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  

Your NDIS plan could be suspended if you cannot be contacted

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:

• contact the participant, their nominee or authorised person directly
• make at least five contact attempts
• use the person’s preferred contact method
• make the first and last attempts between three and four months apart

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.

What this means for you

To help make sure you receive important information:

• keep your phone number, email and address up to date
• check that your preferred contact method is recorded correctly
• make sure your nominee’s or authorised representative’s details are current
• respond if the National Disability Insurance Agency contacts you.
  
  

01/10/2026  

The first phase of Thriving Kids has started

Thriving Kids is a new approach to early intervention for children aged eight and under with developmental delay and/or autism with low to moderate support needs.

The first phase began on 1 October 2026. New national supports include:

• A Thriving Kids Information and Resource Hub
• A Thriving Kids Autism Helpline
• Information, guidance and connections to relevant supports

Services will roll out gradually, with all supports intended to be in place by 1 January 2028.

What this means for families

• There are no changes to NDIS access or eligibility until 1 January 2028
• Children with permanent and significant disability or high support needs will continue to access the NDIS
• Additional Thriving Kids services will become available progressively