The Australian disability sector is entering a significant period of reform. A powerful new NDIS planning change is underway, with NDIS participants helping design and test a support needs assessment that aims to make NDIS planning clearer, fairer, and more consistent for families.
For many families, navigating NDIS planning has felt overwhelming. Inconsistent outcomes, heavy reliance on reports, and frequent reviews have created uncertainty and stress. The new NDIS planning model, scheduled for gradual rollout from mid-2026, has been designed to address these long-standing challenges while putting participants at the centre of decision-making.
What Is the New Support Needs Assessment in NDIS Planning?
The support needs assessment is a key part of the new NDIS planning framework being developed by the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA).
Unlike previous planning approaches that relied heavily on written reports, the new assessment focuses on structured, guided conversations. These conversations explore how a person’s disability impacts their everyday life, independence, and support needs.
The new support needs assessment aims to:
- Improve consistency across NDIS plans
- Increase transparency in planning decisions
- Reduce reliance on costly allied health reports
- Ensure funding reflects real, functional support needs
This approach is designed to ensure that a person’s NDIS plan is based on need, not on who their planner is, where they live, or what reports they can afford.
NDIS Participants Leading Planning Reform
A major strength of this reform is that NDIS participants are leading the design and testing process.
An initial group of 30 NDIS participants is undertaking live simulated support needs assessments. These sessions are designed to test:
- Usability and accessibility
- Clarity of assessment questions
- Participant comfort and emotional safety
- Overall experience of the planning conversation
These live simulations build on more than 10,000 desktop testing exercises already completed, ensuring the new approach is grounded in both lived experience and evidence.
Why Live Testing Matters for Families and Carers
Live testing allows the support needs assessment to be trialled with real people and real support needs, rather than theoretical scenarios.
Each simulated assessment includes:
- Clear introductory information
- Time for the assessor to get to know the participant
- Completion of structured assessment questions
- Review and confirmation with the participant and their supporters
For families, this means:
- Supporters can be involved appropriately
- Information can be clarified and confirmed
- Participants are not rushed or overwhelmed
- Emotional safety is prioritised
Insights from these sessions are already shaping best-practice principles for assessors, including improved conversation flow and more complete information gathering.
Participant Feedback Shows a Better NDIS Planning Experience
Feedback from participants has been overwhelmingly positive.
NDIS participant and co-design working group member LJ Atkinson described the experience as calming, inclusive, and genuinely person-centred. She highlighted the ability to:
- Take breaks when needed
- Ask questions freely
- Speak honestly and comfortably
This feedback is directly influencing how assessors are trained and how future NDIS planning conversations will be delivered.
Who Conducts the Support Needs Assessment?
The assessments are delivered by experienced NDIS planners who complete specialised training and accreditation to use the I-CAN support needs assessment tool.
Live assessments form a critical part of the accreditation process, delivered in partnership with the Centre for Disability Studies at the University of Melbourne. This ensures assessors are skilled not only in using the tool, but also in respectful, participant-centred communication.
What Happens Next: Expanded Testing in 2026
A second, more comprehensive testing phase will begin in March 2026. This phase will:
- Include a broader and more diverse participant group
- Introduce more complex assessment scenarios
- Offer both virtual and face-to-face sessions
Insights from this testing will inform the final design of the new support needs assessment for NDIS planning, ahead of the phased national rollout.
How the New NDIS Planning Model Will Improve Outcomes
The new way of NDIS planning, rolling out gradually from mid-2026, is designed to deliver long-term improvements such as:
- Longer NDIS plan periods
- Fewer plan reviews
- Greater certainty for families
- More consistent and transparent decisions
As the Minister for the NDIS has stated, the goal is to ensure that every participant has a fair and equitable experience, regardless of circumstance.
Will Current NDIS Participants Be Affected Immediately?
No. The rollout will be gradual over several years.
Many participants will not experience changes straight away. The NDIA has committed to:
- Contacting participants directly
- Explaining what changes may mean for them
- Providing opportunities to engage and ask questions
This approach is intended to protect stability while improving the system over time.
How Families Can Get Involved
Families and participants who want to have a say can:
- Register interest through NDIS Engage
- Participate in public consultation with the Department of Health, Disability and Aged Care
Consultation on the new planning framework rules is open until 6 March 2026.
Supporting NDIS Families Across Australia
Connecting Families supports NDIS participants, families, and carers across Australia as NDIS planning continues to evolve.
Whether you are navigating your first NDIS plan, preparing for future planning changes, or supporting a loved one through the system, we help families understand their options and advocate with confidence.
We support families in:
- New South Wales
- Victoria
- Queensland
- South Australia
- Western Australia
- Regional and remote communities
Our approach is family-centred, informed, and aligned with current and upcoming NDIS reforms.
Frequently Asked Questions About New NDIS Planning
- What is the new support needs assessment in NDIS planning?
The support needs assessment is a structured, conversation-based assessment designed to understand how a person’s disability affects daily life and inform fairer NDIS planning decisions.
- When will the new NDIS planning changes start?
The new NDIS planning model is expected to roll out gradually from mid-2026, with changes introduced over several years.
- Will current NDIS participants need to do a new assessment?
Not immediately. Existing plans will continue, and participants will be contacted by the NDIA if and when changes affect them.
- How is the new NDIS planning process different?
The new process focuses less on written reports and more on structured conversations, improving transparency, consistency, and emotional safety.
- Can families and carers be involved in the assessment?
Yes. Participants can involve family members, carers, and supporters to help ensure information is accurate and reflective of real needs.
- How can participants provide feedback or get involved?
Participants can nominate through NDIS Engage or take part in public consultations run by the Department of Health, Disability and Aged Care.
Sources of Information
- National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) – News and updates
https://www.ndis.gov.au/about-us/news
- NDIS Engage – Participant co-design and consultation
https://engage.ndis.gov.au
- Department of Health, Disability and Aged Care – NDIS reforms
https://www.health.gov.au/our-work/ndis-legislation-and-reforms
- Centre for Disability Studies, University of Melbourne
https://findanexpert.unimelb.edu.au/organisation/centre-for-disability-studies
- Australian Government – Minister for the NDIS
https://www.minister.ndis.gov.au