The NDIS Planning Process Is Changing From Mid-2026: What Participants Need to Know

From mid-2026, the way NDIS plans are created will begin to change.

The NDIS is introducing a new approach called framework planning, which is designed to make plans fairer, more consistent, and easier for participants to understand and use.

These changes come after thousands of people with disability, families, carers, and providers told the Independent Review of the NDIS that the current planning system wasn’t working well enough. Many people reported inconsistent budgets, heavy reliance on reports, and a process that felt confusing or stressful.

In response, the Australian Government updated the NDIS legislation in late 2024 to allow a new way of planning to be introduced over time.

This blog explains what’s changing, what’s staying the same, and what it could mean for participants and families.

What Is NDIS "Framework Planning"?

Framework planning is a new way of building NDIS plans that focuses on a person’s disability support needs, rather than just functional impairment or diagnosis.

The goal is to create plans that are:

• More person-centred and strengths-based

• Fairer and more consistent across participants

• Less dependent on expensive specialist reports

• Simpler and more flexible to use

The NDIA and the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing have been working with state governments and the disability sector to design this new system.

The first participants are expected to start moving into framework planning from mid-2026, with changes rolled out gradually over time. This means many participants will not notice any immediate change to their plan.

What Is a Support Needs Assessment?

A key part of framework planning is something called a support needs assessment.

Instead of relying heavily on multiple reports, a trained assessor will meet with the participant to understand their life, circumstances, and disability-related support needs.

This assessment:

• Happens at a suitable time and place for the participant

• Allows participants to bring family members, carers, or support people

• Uses a structured conversation to explore daily life, challenges, and support needs

• Results in a written assessment report that informs the participant’s NDIS budget

Plans will still be approved by trained NDIS staff, not automated systems. In fact, under the new approach, NDIS staff are expected to spend more time working directly with participants than they do now.

Assessors will complete a formal training and accreditation program developed with the University of Melbourne and the Centre for Disability Studies.

What Is the I-CAN v6 Tool?

The support needs assessment will be based on a tool called I-CAN v6 (Instrument for the Classification and Assessment of Support Needs).

This tool has been developed by the Centre for Disability Studies and has been used in disability and care sectors for many years. It takes a person-centred, strengths-based approach to identifying support needs.

The assessment will also include a separate questionnaire that looks at personal and environmental factors, such as living situation and daily routines.

Some participants with more complex needs may still be asked to provide reports from treating health professionals, but the intention is to reduce unnecessary report writing overall.

How Budgets Will Work Under the New System

Under framework planning, budgets will be created by applying information from the support needs assessment using a method set out in new NDIS rules.

Key changes include:

• More flexible budgets, rather than tightly broken-up line items

• Funding provided as either:

  • Stated supports (must be used for a specific purpose), or

  • Flexible budget funding (can be used across a wider range of NDIS supports)

• Longer plan periods, meaning fewer scheduled plan reviews and more stability

The intention is to reduce constant reassessments and allow participants to focus on living their lives, rather than constantly managing plan changes.

Review Rights Are Not Going Away

Importantly, participants will still have the right to challenge or change their plan if needed.

Under framework planning, participants can still:

• Request a reassessment or plan variation if circumstances change

• Request an internal review of a planning decision

• Apply for an external review through the Administrative Review Tribunal if they disagree with the outcome

These rights are protected in legislation and are not being removed.

How the Disability Community Is Involved

The new planning approach is being developed through ongoing co-design with people with lived experience.

Over the past year:

• More than 7,000 participants, families, providers, and stakeholders have been involved

• Workshops, forums, and testing sessions have been held

• A Design Hub has been used to trial planning activities with volunteers

This co-design process will continue as framework planning is refined and rolled out.

Where to Find Official Information

The most up-to-date and authoritative information about framework planning is published by the Australian Government.

You can read more about the new framework planning rules on the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing website, and keep an eye on updates from the NDIS (NDIA) as public consultation opens in early 2026: New framework planning | Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing

If you want to hear directly from the NDIS, free information sessions titled Understanding the NDIS: Overview of Changes for Participants, Families and Carers are also available through the NDIS website: Understanding the NDIS Webinar Series: Overview of Changes to NDIS Legislation | NDIS

Final Thoughts

Change in the NDIS can feel unsettling, especially for participants and families who have already navigated a complex system.

While framework planning will not affect everyone immediately, understanding what’s coming can help you feel more prepared and confident.

As always, if you’re unsure how changes may affect your plan, speaking with a trusted Support Coordinator, Plan Manager, or provider can help you work through your options calmly and clearly.