NDIS Changes October 2026: What the Budget Changes Actually Mean for You
From 1 October 2026, funding for some NDIS supports is being reset. Here is exactly what is changing, who it affects, and when, based on the official NDIS and Department of Health information.
7 minute read
Last updated 3 October 2026. This is a developing topic and some NDIS pages are still being updated to reflect the new legislation.
TL;DR Summary
- From 1 October 2026, budgets for two NDIS support categories are being reset. Social, Economic and Community Participation supports are reduced by 50 per cent, and Improved Daily Living Skills supports are reduced by 10 per cent.
- This does not happen to everyone on 1 October itself. It only applies when your plan is created or reassessed from 1 October 2026, or renewed from 1 February 2027.
- Essential day to day supports, such as help with eating, drinking, dressing, toileting, medication, nursing care, home and vehicle modifications, mobility equipment, and specialist disability accommodation, are not affected.
- Participants needing continuous 24 hour support may be able to use a new plan variation pathway if their relevant plan budget is $215,030 or more.
- This support budget reduction is not a reviewable decision. You can still request a plan reassessment or variation if your circumstances change significantly.
Starting from 1 October, some NDIS support budgets will change over the coming 12 months. This change forms part of the new NDIS laws, known as the National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Act 2026. This Act received Royal Assent on 20 August 2026.
This article sets out exactly what is changing, who it affects, and when. We use the wording the NDIS and the Department of Health publish directly.
What Is Actually Changing
Reduction to Social, Economic and Community Participation budgets
Reduction to Improved Daily Living Skills budgets
The Two Affected Categories
This change reduces participant budgets for two support categories only.
- Social, Economic and Community Participation
- Improved Daily Living Skills
This specific change does not touch any other part of a participant plan. The NDIS says participant safety and wellbeing remain the priority, and other parts of participant plans will stay the same.
When It Actually Applies to You
The NDIS applies these budget reductions as plans are created or reassessed from 1 October 2026, or renewed from 1 February 2027. This means the change does not happen to every participant on the same day. Instead, it happens gradually, as individual plans come up for creation, reassessment, or renewal over the following 12 months. If your plan is not due for review yet, your current budget stays the same until that point.
Worth knowing: the impacts of this change will be different for every participant, because every NDIS plan is based on individual goals, circumstances, and support needs.
What Is Not Affected
Specific Support Types That Stay the Same
Some supports inside these two categories do not change. These include:
- Employment supports
- Disability related health supports
- High intensity supports
- Intensive and complex behaviour supports
- Customised and wearable technology
- Hearing services
Everyday Essential Supports That Stay the Same
Your essential day to day supports also stay the same. These include help with:
- Eating and drinking
- Dressing and toileting
- Laundry and cleaning
- Nurse care and medication
- Home and vehicle modifications
- Personal mobility equipment
- Specialist disability accommodation
The NDIS publishes a full list of the specific supports this change does not affect.
If You Have High Support Needs
New Plan Variation Pathway
The NDIS has introduced a new pathway for participants who need continuous 24 hour disability support. You can ask for your plan variation if you meet both of these conditions.
- Your total plan budget for Assistance with Daily Life, Home and Living, and Assistance with Social, Economic and Community Participation is $215,030 or more
- You receive 24 hour funded NDIS supports for needs that come directly from the impairments you access the NDIS for
This pathway makes sure participants who need around the clock support keep the funding they need.
Is This a Reviewable Decision
The NDIS has been clear on this point. This particular change is not a reviewable decision. You cannot request a review simply because this reset has reduced your support budget.
However, you can still request a plan reassessment or plan variation if a significant and ongoing change affects any of the following.
What Counts as a Significant Change
- Your ability to complete daily activities
- Your living arrangements
- Your education or employment circumstances
- Your available informal supports
Worth knowing: the new legislation applies tighter criteria to unscheduled plan reassessments. The NDIS generally does not accept requests to bring a reassessment forward just to lock in a current budget. A genuine and ongoing change in your circumstances is what counts.
The Wider Legislative Change
This budget reset sits within a larger piece of legislation. Parliament passed the National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026 on 19 August 2026, and it received Royal Assent the next day. Some parts of the Act commenced on 27 August 2026. The government is introducing other changes gradually, to allow more time for consultation and communication.
Importantly, nothing changes about how people access the NDIS before 1 January 2028. Current NDIS access and planning arrangements stay the same while these changes roll out.
Before Your Next Plan Review
- Check whether your plan includes funding in Social, Economic and Community Participation or Improved Daily Living Skills categories
- Note your plan's current reassessment or renewal date
- Review the official list of supports not affected by these changes on the NDIS website
- If you have 24 hour support needs, check whether your plan budget meets the $215,030 threshold
- Keep records of your claims and supports, as new record keeping requirements now apply
- Speak with your my NDIS contact or support coordinator about what this means for your specific plan
This article is based directly on information published by the National Disability Insurance Agency and the Australian Government Department of Health, current as of 3 October 2026.
Primary sources: ndis.gov.au, Changes to support budgets from 1 October and health.gov.au, About the changes to the NDIS.
Talking to Your Planner
If you are unsure how this change applies to your situation, it helps to raise it directly at your next plan review. Bringing specific examples of how your current funding is used can help your planner understand your ongoing needs clearly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is my NDIS funding being cut on 1 October 2026?
Not automatically. The budget reductions are applied as plans are created or reassessed from 1 October 2026, or renewed from 1 February 2027. If your plan is not due for review yet, your current funding stays the same until then.
What exactly is being reduced, and by how much?
Budget allocations for Social, Economic and Community Participation supports are reduced by 50 per cent. Budget allocations for Improved Daily Living Skills supports are reduced by 10 per cent.
Will my daily living supports like showering or medication be affected?
No. Essential day to day supports, including help with eating, drinking, dressing, toileting, nursing care, and medication, are not affected by this change.
When will I actually see this change in my plan?
Only when your plan is next created, reassessed, or renewed. The change is introduced progressively over 12 months from 1 October 2026, not applied to every participant at once.
Can I ask for an early plan review to avoid this change?
Tighter criteria now apply to unscheduled plan reassessments. A request to bring forward a reassessment solely to lock in a current budget is generally not accepted. A significant and ongoing change in your circumstances is what is considered.
What if I need 24 hour support?
A new plan variation pathway exists for participants who receive 24 hour funded NDIS supports and whose relevant plan budget is $215,030 or more. This is designed to protect funding for people with high and continuous support needs.
Can I appeal or dispute this change?
The support budget reduction itself is not a reviewable decision. However, you can still request a plan reassessment or variation if there has been a significant and ongoing change to your daily activities, living arrangements, education, employment, or informal supports.
This article is general information based on current NDIS and Department of Health guidance and is not personal advice. For help specific to your plan, speak with your my NDIS contact, support coordinator, or the NDIS directly on 1800 800 110.
