You may have heard that the NDIS is evolving, with major changes rolling out progressively over the next few years. Some changes have already taken effect, while others won’t occur until February 2027 or even January 2028.
If you feel nervous or uncertain about the future of your NDIS funding and disability support, that’s completely normal, and we are here to guide you.
In this article, we will cover the NDIS changes we know about so far. But rest assured, STEPS is taking a proactive and participant-centric approach to help our community understand and prepare for their future.
Why the 2026 NDIS changes are happening
The upcoming changes stem from the National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Act 2026, which was passed in August of this year.
So, why are these changes being made?
The Australian Government stated that the NDIS should focus on supporting people with a disability that is significant and permanent, or at risk of becoming permanent. Future assessments will concentrate on the impact that the participant’s disability has on their daily life, including their ability to complete everyday activities and participate in their community.
How NDIS funding and plan reassessments may be affected
The reforms are part of a major shift for the NDIS, but they will be introduced gradually. For example, from 1 October 2026, some participant support budgets may be reset and changed upon reassessment. From February 2027, new plans will adhere to the stronger guidelines, and the NDIS had advised that all plans will be reassessed by October 2027.
But some participants may not even notice any immediate changes, and the way people access the NDIS will remain the same until January 2028. From that point, existing participants will begin transitioning to the new arrangements through a staged reassessment process, which is expected to take place over three years.
One of the areas affected is funding for Social and Community Participation supports. These supports help participants engage in social and recreational activities that develop confidence and independence while connecting with peers.
Funding for Improved Daily Living Skills supports will also be affected. This area covers capacity-building and skill development supports and services, such as occupational therapy and speech therapy.
Is your funding guaranteed to change?
These changes do not mean that every participant’s funding will automatically be reduced. NDIS funding will continue to be evaluated on an individual basis, with each participant’s circumstances, goals, support needs, and other important factors taken into consideration.
Participants will see adjustments to specific support categories however there are certain NDIS supports that are considered critical and will be exempt from the change rollout.
These protected categories include:
- Specialised care for daily needs, such as eating and drinking
- Employment supports related to getting or keeping a job
- Clinical or functional health supports specific to managing a disability
- Positive Behaviour Support and related management supports
- Customised and wearable technology
Understanding how your current supports align with your needs and goals will be more important than ever, but STEPS is here to help you navigate any uncertainties and changes.
How STEPS is preparing NDIS participants for the future
STEPS understands that changes to the NDIS can feel overwhelming, which is why we are introducing a new planning tool. It’s designed to help our participants better understand their supports, prepare for NDIS-related conversations, and feel more confident about upcoming plan reassessments.
STEPS’ new planning preparation and evidence tool will look at each participant’s NDIS plan, current supports, disability-related needs, goals, progress, future priorities, supporting evidence, and any other relevant information. It can also be used to identify any potential risks and safeguarding requirements, and help participants understand the supports they need, empowering them to self-advocate where possible.
These planning conversations aren’t something that our participants have to navigate alone. They can include their family members, support workers and coordinators, and other trusted people throughout the process.
We want to start these conversations earlier to gather relevant information and evidence well before reassessments. This will help us continue to provide the best possible disability support services to our participants, painting a clearer picture of what’s working well, what could be improved, and what supports may be needed in the future.
What the NDIS changes mean for STEPS Community Support participants
Throughout this major transition for the NDIS, STEPS remains committed to turning challenges and change into innovative opportunities for high-quality disability support.
Our top priority remains the same; we want to make sure that every participant feels informed and empowered to make the best possible decisions about their supports and how they factor into their future.
Are you looking for a disability support provider?
STEPS has provided high-quality disability support services for almost forty years.
We are a registered NDIS provider delivering services across Queensland and in Hobart with the experience and expertise of a large organisation and the compassion and responsiveness of a local service.
No matter what level of disability support you need or which direction you want to go, STEPS will be by your side every step of the way.
Visit our STEPS Community Support webpage to find more information and explore our services and programs. Contact our friendly Customer Care Team by calling 1800 312 742 or emailing customercare@stepsgroup.com.au.
