If you’re finding it hard to keep track of what’s changing, this NDIS changes timeline puts the main dates in one place. Here’s what affects you now, and what can wait.
As at 5 October 2026. General information only, not legal, financial or medical advice. Rules can change, so check the official sources below.
In short
- The next dates for participants are 14 October 2026 (planning consultation closes), 15 October 2026 (checks on older claims), 1 December 2026 (90-day claims) and 1 February 2027 (plan renewals).
- Bigger changes to planning, provider registration and NDIS access roll out from 2027 to 2028.
NDIS changes timeline: already in effect
- Only participants, plan nominees or child representatives can ask for an early plan reassessment. The NDIA has 90 days to decide.
October to December 2026
- 1 October: budget reductions begin for community participation and daily living skills, as plans are created or reassessed. The NDIA can also now suspend a plan if you don’t respond to requests for information, but only after at least 5 attempts to contact you over 3 to 4 months.
- 14 October: public consultation on the proposed rules for the new way of planning closes at 11.59pm AEDT. You can have your say until then.
- 15 October: extra checks on claims made more than 90 days after a support. These claims may be held for up to 28 days.
- 1 December: claims must be made within 90 days.
2027
- 1 February: plan renewals replace plan continuations, and unspent funds won’t roll over. New criteria for deciding reasonable and necessary supports apply to new participants.
- From 1 April: the new way of planning is expected to begin gradually, including support needs assessments. You keep your current plan until you move across, and you’ll be told first.
- 1 July: mandatory registration expands to providers of higher-risk supports, such as personal care, daily living supports and supports in closed settings. All providers in scope must be registered by December 2030.
- October: a panel of plan management providers starts, with participants supported to move to it over 6 months.
2028
- January: access changes begin for new applicants, and existing participants are reassessed over 3 years. Thriving Kids supports are fully in place by 1 January 2028.
- July: a new commissioned support coordination and connection function starts.
What you can do now
- Keep your contact details up to date with the NDIA, and answer its messages.
- Claim within 90 days.
- Where registration applies, check your providers are registered, using our two-minute guide.
How Kinship can help
Big change makes people anxious, and that’s a reasonable response. Most of these dates won’t touch your plan tomorrow, and knowing which ones will helps you put the rest down.
Kinship Uniting Services is already a registered NDIS provider (4-GWVHCEY), and has worked in disability and aged care since 2017. If you’re not sure how one of these dates affects the supports we provide you, we can talk it through. See our NDIS services, our free guides or the areas we cover.
If you’d like us to help with this, call 0437 733 744 and we’ll talk it through. Or send us a note through our get support page, whichever is easier for you.
Ask us: got a question about this change? Email info@kinshipunitingservices.com or call 0437 733 744, and we’ll answer it in plain English.
Common questions
When does the new way of NDIS planning start?
The NDIA says it will begin introducing the new way of planning, including support needs assessments, from April 2027.
Can the NDIA suspend my plan?
From 1 October 2026, yes, if you don’t respond to requests for information. The NDIA says this only happens after at least 5 attempts to contact you, your nominee or authorised representative over 3 to 4 months, using your preferred contact method.
Official sources
- NDIA: Securing the NDIS for future generations
- NDIA: New way of planning
- NDIA: Increasing integrity checks on older claims (5 October 2026)
- Department of Health, Disability and Ageing: About the changes to the NDIS (updated 2 October 2026)
- NDIA: First phase of Thriving Kids supports start today (1 October 2026)
- Department of Health, Disability and Ageing: Have your say on new framework planning and NDIS support rules (19 August 2026)
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Kinship Uniting Services, 39 Victory Road, Colebee NSW 2761
Registered NDIS provider 4-GWVHCEY