In 2024, the Australian Parliament made changes to the NDIS Act. This set the direction for how we will improve the NDIS. To put these changes into action, some existing rules will be updated and new NDIS rules will be made.
All NDIS participants will move to new framework plans over the next 4 years. We are still developing the rules that will explain how new framework planning works in practice.
A person must be a NDIS participant to go through the new framework planning process. A separate process is undertaken to become a NDIS participant and gain access to the NDIS.
We are working with State and Territory governments and the disability sector on new framework planning. We will hold a public consultation to hear the community’s views in early 2026.
Why we’re creating new framework plans
We heard from the NDIS Review that to make the NDIS more person-centred, we need:
- clearer processes for assessments and planning
- more transparent decision-making for funding
- greater flexibility in plans.
The information on this page reflects our proposed direction for new framework planning. It may change as we learn more about how new framework planning works in practice.
Proposed direction for new framework planning
We’re working with State and Territory governments and the disability sector as we develop the rules outlining how new framework plans will work. We are currently considering 4 steps in the participant journey for new framework planning:
Step 1: Preparing for a support needs assessment
The NDIA contacts a participant to provide information to help prepare for the support needs assessment.
Step 2: The support needs assessment
Participants meet an NDIA assessor to discuss their daily life, support needs and preferences. The assessor submits the Support Needs Assessment report to the NDIA.
Step 3: Building a plan
The NDIA uses the report to structure the plan and create a total funding amount (NDIS plan budget). Participants receive the report and their NDIS plan to explain how their budget was created.
Step 4: Using a plan
Participants have the option of an implementation meeting. Participants can use the NDIS Supports list to choose, purchase and claim for supports with their new plan.
Rules related to each step
Each step in this process will be described in a set of rules to be developed between the Australian Government and State and Territory governments. This will increase understanding of how plans and budgets are generated, improving transparency, and visibility.
| Step | Related rules | These rules outline: |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Preparing for a support needs assessment | Notice to have a new framework plan (s32B(2)) |
|
| 2. The support needs assessment | Support Needs Assessment (s32L(2)) Needs Assessment Report (s32L(6)) Replacement Needs Assessment (s32L(7A)) | The support needs assessment:
|
| 3. Building a plan | Budget method (s32K) Stated supports (s32E(4)) Funding periods (ss32F(2)-(4) and 32J) Funding periods – exemptions (ss32G(3)-(5) and 32J) Restrictions of how flexible funding is spent (s32F(6)-(7)) Requirements for receiving a service or buying supports (ss32H(2)(d) and 32J)) |
|
| 4. Using a plan | NDIS supports (s10) |
|
Roadmap for new framework planning
September – December 2025: Disability sector engagement on NDIS rules for new framework planning
January – March 2026: Public consultation on NDIS rules for new framework planning
April – June 2026: Preparing participants for new framework planning
1 July 2026: Rule commencement and gradual transition to new framework plans begins
How to get involved
We will be holding public consultations on new framework planning rules in early 2026.
More information will be available shortly.
Contact us for information or to share feedback about the new framework planning rules at NDISConsultations@health.gov.au, or subscribe to the NDIS Reform subscriber list to stay up to date.