NDIS Reform Is Here: 10 Things Participants Need to Know Now

The NDIS has entered a new phase.

Here is what participants, families and carers need to know about the changes — and what you should be doing now.

The NDIS has been undergoing significant reform for some time, but this week marks an important milestone.

On 19 August 2026, Parliament passed the National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026. At the time of writing, the Bill is awaiting Royal Assent, which is an important distinction when considering which changes have legally commenced.

For participants and families, the amount of information circulating can feel overwhelming.

There are announcements about eligibility, planning, funding, functional capacity, providers and community supports — while many of the changes will not happen immediately.

So, what does it actually mean for you?

First: Don't Panic — Not Everything Changes Today

One of the most important messages for participants is that the NDIS does not change overnight simply because Parliament has passed the Bill.

The Government has indicated that some changes will commence soon after Royal Assent, while other changes will be introduced over a longer period to allow for consultation, design and implementation.

Importantly, there will be no change to how people access the NDIS until 1 January 2028. Until then, people continue to apply under the current access arrangements.

This means participants should not assume that they suddenly need to reapply, prove their eligibility again or change their current supports simply because the legislation has passed.

1. NDIS Eligibility Is Going to Change

One of the biggest reforms is the move towards a clearer focus on functional capacity.

The Government's stated intention is that the NDIS should be available to people whose disability results in a significant reduction in functional capacity that affects their day-to-day life.

A Technical Advisory Group is providing advice about how functional capacity thresholds and assessments should work.

This is likely to make evidence about functional impact increasingly important.

A diagnosis alone has never been the whole story when demonstrating NDIS needs. Going forward, it will be even more important to clearly explain:

- What a person's disability means for their everyday functioning

- What they can and cannot do independently

- What support they require

- How often support is required

- What happens without that support

- How their disability affects participation, relationships, employment, education and community life

- Whether their functional capacity fluctuates

- What supports are required to maintain or build independence

2. Evidence Will Matter

The direction of NDIS reform reinforces something participants should already be doing: keep good evidence.

Reports should not simply state a diagnosis or list the services being provided.

Good evidence should explain the connection between:

Disability → Functional impact → Support need → Goals → Outcomes

For example, saying someone has autism does not explain whether they require assistance with communication, planning, emotional regulation, community access, daily living or social participation.

Likewise, simply saying someone needs a support worker is not enough.

The evidence should explain why the support is required, what the support achieves and what the likely consequences are without it.

This will be particularly important as the NDIS moves towards more standardised and evidence-based approaches to functional capacity.

3. A New Approach to NDIS Planning Is Coming

Planning is also changing.

The Government and NDIA have been developing a new way of planning designed to make the process fairer, more consistent and easier to navigate.

The reforms are intended to provide a greater focus on a person's support needs rather than simply repeating previous funding arrangements.

For participants, this means it is increasingly important to understand your own plan.

Don't wait until your plan review to start thinking about:

- Your current goals

- What has changed since your last plan

- What supports are working

- What supports aren't working

- Changes in your circumstances

- Changes in your functional capacity

- New risks or barriers

- What you have achieved with your current supports

- What you need to work towards next

4. Your Current Plan Still Matters

While reforms are being introduced, participants should continue to use their existing NDIS plans and supports in accordance with the current rules.

The NDIA has previously advised participants that they can continue accessing the disability-related supports in their existing plans while reforms are being implemented.

This is important because there is a lot of uncertainty online.

Don't make decisions about stopping supports based solely on social media posts or headlines.

If you are unsure whether a support is currently funded or whether you can use your funding for something, seek clarification from the NDIA, your plan manager or your support coordinator.

5. Social and Community Participation Remains Important

There has been considerable discussion about changes to the way the NDIS supports social and community participation.

The Government has stated that it wants the NDIS to return to its original intent while also investing in genuine community participation.

This includes a $200 million Inclusive Communities Fund, designed to help community organisations build their capacity to provide genuine participation opportunities.

This is an important distinction.

Supporting someone to participate in their community should not simply mean paying for a support worker to accompany someone somewhere indefinitely.

A good support approach should also consider:

How can we help this person build confidence, skills, relationships and informal supports so that they can participate more independently?

This is where mainstream and community services can become extremely important.

6. Mainstream and Community Supports Will Become Even More Important

The future NDIS is likely to involve greater emphasis on the relationship between the NDIS and other systems.

This means participants may increasingly need support to connect with:

- Community groups

- Sporting organisations

- Recreation programs

- Libraries

- Local councils

- Employment services

- Education and training

- Mental health services

- Health services

- Social groups

- Volunteering opportunities

- Advocacy organisations

- Peer support

- Informal networks

This does not mean participants should simply be told to "go elsewhere."

The transition needs to be supported.

For some people, a support coordinator's role may increasingly involve helping a participant identify and establish sustainable mainstream and community connections rather than relying solely on funded NDIS supports.

7. Support Coordination Is Also Changing

Support coordination is not immune from the broader reform agenda.

The Government has proposed changes to the way support coordination is delivered and commissioned, with further work and consultation required.

For participants, the important question is not simply:

"How many hours of support coordination do I have?"

It is:

"What is my support coordinator helping me achieve?"

A good support coordinator should help you understand your plan, connect with appropriate services, build your capacity, manage significant changes, identify risks and barriers, and coordinate the people around you.

They should also help you become more confident in managing your own supports over time.

8. Providers Are Facing Greater Accountability

The reforms also place significant attention on provider quality, fraud, compliance and safeguarding.

The Government has identified tackling fraud and non-compliance and improving provider quality as key parts of the reform agenda.

For participants, this is ultimately about something very important:

You should receive safe, appropriate and high-quality supports.

Participants should feel comfortable asking providers:

- What are you charging?

- What exactly am I receiving?

- How does this support relate to my goals?

- What records are being kept?

- What happens if I am unhappy with the service?

- Who do I contact if something goes wrong?

You have the right to understand how your NDIS funding is being used.

9. Don't Wait Until Your Plan Review

One of the biggest mistakes participants can make during this period of reform is waiting until their plan review to start preparing.

Instead, start keeping a record now.

Consider maintaining a simple folder containing:

Reports and assessments

Keep copies of relevant OT, psychology, physiotherapy, speech pathology, medical and other professional reports.

Evidence of functional impact

Record examples of what happens in everyday life — not just diagnoses.

Changes in circumstances

Document significant changes in your living situation, health, informal supports, employment, education or daily functioning.

Support outcomes

Keep track of what your supports have helped you achieve.

Unmet needs

Record things that remain difficult or where your current supports are not sufficient.

Goals

Think about where you want your life to be heading, rather than simply what services you currently receive.

10. Your Next Plan Should Be About Your Life — Not Just Your Funding

Perhaps the most important message during NDIS reform is this:

Your NDIS plan should be about what you need to live your life, not simply a list of services.

When preparing for a plan review, think beyond:

"I need 10 hours of support work."

Instead ask:

What am I trying to achieve?

Perhaps you want to:

- Live more independently

- Get a job

- Study

- Build friendships

- Participate in your community

- Improve your daily living skills

- Move into a more appropriate home

- Reduce reliance on family

- Develop confidence

- Improve communication

- Manage daily routines

- Access appropriate therapy

- Build informal supports

The support request should then connect back to those goals.

What Should You Do Now?

For most participants, there is no need to panic.

Instead, use this period to get organised.

Your NDIS Reform Checklist

- Review your current NDIS plan.

- Understand what funding you have and what it is being used for.

- Review your current goals.

- Identify what has changed since your last plan.

- Keep evidence of your functional support needs.

- Ask your treating professionals whether your reports clearly explain functional impact.

- Record what your current supports are helping you achieve.

- Identify any unmet needs.

- Consider what mainstream and community supports could complement your NDIS supports.

- Make sure you understand your rights and how to challenge decisions you disagree with.

- Speak with your support coordinator if you are unsure how the reforms may affect your individual circumstances.

What We Know — And What We Don't Know Yet

It is important to separate confirmed changes from proposed or future changes.

The legislation has now passed Parliament, but as of 21 August 2026 it is awaiting Royal Assent. Some changes will begin after Royal Assent, while others require further consultation, rules, systems and implementation work.

The Government has also published a reform timeline, which will continue to be updated as further implementation dates are confirmed.

That means there will continue to be announcements over the coming months.

The NDIS is changing — but not everything is changing at once.

Final Thoughts

NDIS reform can feel frightening, particularly for people who rely on the Scheme for essential supports.

There are legitimate questions about how the reforms will affect different groups of participants, particularly people with complex support needs, psychosocial disability, fluctuating conditions and significant barriers to participation.

The best thing participants can do right now is not to panic — but to understand their own needs, keep good evidence, understand their plan and prepare early.

The NDIS is entering a period of significant change.

For participants, families and carers, having clear information and appropriate support through that change will be more important than ever.

At Sense of Care, we believe participants should be supported to understand their NDIS plan, build their capacity, connect with appropriate services and have a voice in decisions about their lives.

This article provides general information only and should not be considered legal or individual NDIS advice. NDIS reforms are continuing to be implemented and details may change as further rules, guidance and implementation dates are released.