Network of Care

NDIS Changes October 2026: What the Budget Changes Actually Mean for You

Abdiqani — Sat, 03 Oct 2026 13:07:00 +0000

News & Updates

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

NC Network of Care

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

50%

Reduction to Social, Economic and Community Participation budgets

10%

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.

Read our guide to understanding your NDIS funding categories

Frequently Asked Questions

Is my NDIS funding being cut on 1 October 2026?

NDIS Respite Care: What It Actually Covers and Who Can Access It

Abdiqani — Mon, 14 Sep 2026 23:25:00 +0000

Service Explainers

NDIS Respite Care: What It Is and How to Access It

Time apart from your usual care arrangements can genuinely help everyone involved. Here is what NDIS respite support actually covers and how to talk to your planner about it.

5 minute read

NC Network of Care

Caring for someone takes a lot out of a family. The NDIS recognises this. It funds a support called short term respite, which gives a participant genuine support away from their usual care arrangements for a short time. This support used to be called short term accommodation. The NDIS recently renamed it, because the new name better reflects what it is actually for.

What Respite Support Actually Means

Short term respite is a support funded for the participant. It gives you time apart from your usual care arrangements, whether that is family, friends, or a regular carer. During this time you still receive the support you need. The difference is that this happens away from your usual carer, which gives them a short break so they can keep supporting you well into the future.

Who Can Access It

You may be able to get this funding if you live with your primary informal supports, or if you get daily drop in support from them. You may also qualify if you receive more than six hours of disability related support each day from your primary informal supports. If you already have paid support workers covering consistent care, you usually will not need this funding.

What It Can Be Used For

This funding covers the everyday support you need, like help with showering, cooking, or getting around. It can also cover a stay in standard accommodation. Think hotels, motels, cabins, cottages, or dedicated respite accommodation. It can cover support to stay in your own home, or a homestay arrangement if you usually need overnight help. It is usually funded for up to twenty eight days a year, and you can use it flexibly. Some people use a block of up to fourteen days at a time. Others prefer one weekend a month.

What It Cannot Be Used For

This is not funding for a holiday. It has to relate directly to your disability support needs, such as giving your carers a genuine break or supporting a specific goal. You also cannot use it for a cruise or a guided tour. If you are planning an actual holiday, talk to your support coordinator about other funding options instead.

Respite for Children

This support is only funded for children in limited circumstances. It generally applies when a child's disability support needs go beyond what is typical for their age, and when the support helps the family keep going in their caring role. Every family situation is considered individually.

Before Your Planning Meeting

Think about how many hours of daily support your family currently provides
Note down how often a short break would genuinely help
Ask your my NDIS contact whether respite funding fits your situation
Talk about whether you prefer at home support or a stay elsewhere
Raise it early so it can be planned into your funding properly

Worth knowing: this support must generally be used within your home state or territory. If you live somewhere remote, funding outside your area may sometimes be considered.

Talking to Your Planner About It

Respite is not something that gets added automatically. You need to raise it with your my NDIS contact or planner directly. It helps to be specific about how much support your family already provides, and how a short break would make a genuine difference. If you already have a plan in place, this is also something you can bring up at your plan review.

Read our full guide on what happens at your NDIS planning meeting

If you are still working out how your overall funding fits together, it also helps to understand the different NDIS funding categories first, since respite generally sits within core supports.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is short term accommodation the same as short term respite?

How to Self-Manage Your NDIS Funding Without the Overwhelm

Abdiqani — Mon, 14 Sep 2026 09:11:42 +0000

Tips & Advice

How to Self-Manage Your NDIS Funding Without the Overwhelm

Self-management gives you the most choice and control over your NDIS plan, but it also comes with real responsibility. Here's a plain-English breakdown of how it actually works.

6 minute read

NC Network of Care

Self-management is one of four ways to manage your NDIS plan, and it's the option that hands you the most flexibility. But "most flexibility" also means "most responsibility". You're the one paying providers, tracking your budget, and keeping records. Done well, it doesn't have to feel overwhelming. Here's what's genuinely involved, straight from how the NDIS explains it.

What Self-Managed Funding Actually Means

Self-managed funding is when you, your plan nominee, or a child representative take on the job of managing your NDIS funding directly. Choosing your supports, paying your providers, and keeping your own financial records. It's the option that offers the most choice and control, including the freedom to use both registered and unregistered providers. You can self-manage your entire plan, or just part of it, for example, self-managing your core supports while a plan manager looks after the rest.

You Choose Who Delivers Your Supports

One of the biggest advantages is provider choice. Self-managed participants can engage NDIS-registered providers, unregistered providers, or even directly employ their own support staff. This also means you can negotiate prices with providers, rather than being limited to standard price guide rates.

Set Up a Separate Bank Account First

Before your funding starts flowing, it's worth setting up a bank account specifically for your NDIS funds. This isn't just tidy bookkeeping, it genuinely makes it easier to see what's coming in and what's going out, and keeps your NDIS spending separate from everyday expenses. Funding can only be paid into an account held by the person responsible for managing it, whether that's you, your nominee, or a child representative.

How You Actually Pay Providers

There are two ways payments generally work when you self-manage: the NDIS pays you first and you then pay your provider, or you pay your provider directly and then claim the amount back. Claims are made through the myplace participant portal or the my NDIS app, and you'll need to provide an ABN or ask your my NDIS contact for help if a provider doesn't have one.

Budgeting Early Avoids Running Short

Because there's no plan manager checking your spending as you go, working out your budget early is one of the most useful habits you can build. The NDIS provides a free budgeting calculator to help estimate how many hours of support your funding can realistically cover, so you're not caught short later in your plan.

Quick Checklist Before You Start Self-Managing

Open a separate bank account for your NDIS funding
Work out a rough budget using the NDIS budgeting calculator
Decide whether you'll self-manage your whole plan or just part of it
Set up access to the my NDIS portal or app for claims
Create a simple system for saving invoices and receipts
Ask your provider for their ABN before your first booking

Worth knowing: you can change how you manage your funding at any time, there's no limit on how often you can request a change. If self-management feels like too much on top of everything else, you can ask to switch part or all of your plan to plan management instead.

When Self-Management Might Not Be the Right Fit Yet

Self-management isn't all-or-nothing, and it's genuinely okay if it's not the right starting point for you. If keeping on top of paperwork, budgeting, and provider payments doesn't sound like something you want to take on right now, a plan-managed or NDIA-managed option might be a better fit while you get used to how your plan works. You can always revisit self-management later, including learning to self-manage gradually as your confidence grows.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I self-manage only part of my NDIS plan?

NDIS and Mental Health: Understanding Psychosocial Disability Support

Abdiqani — Sun, 06 Sep 2026 21:50:00 +0000

Life Stages

NDIS and Mental Health: Understanding Psychosocial Disability Support

Psychosocial disability is genuinely recognised and supported under the NDIS, though it's often misunderstood. Here's how the scheme actually approaches it.

5 minute read

NC Network of Care

Psychosocial disability is one of the more misunderstood areas of the scheme, partly because it doesn't work quite the way many people expect. Here's a genuinely clear, plain-English explanation.

What "Psychosocial Disability" Actually Means

It describes the impact a mental health condition can have on someone's ability to function day to day, not the mental health condition itself. This distinction genuinely matters, a diagnosis alone isn't what's assessed, the effect on daily life is.

How Eligibility Actually Works

Support is considered where a psychosocial disability, caused by a mental health condition, significantly and permanently affects someone's ability to manage everyday tasks. Our guide on what disabilities qualify explains this impairment-based approach in more depth.

Psychosocial Recovery Coaches

This is a support role designed specifically for this space, helping build skills, confidence, and connections, with a genuine focus on recovery and community involvement, not just symptom management.

Fluctuating Needs Are Genuinely Understood

Unlike some other impairment types, psychosocial disability support needs can fluctuate significantly over time. Plans are generally designed with this in mind, rather than assuming a fixed, unchanging level of need.

Worth knowing: having a mental health condition doesn't automatically mean NDIS eligibility, and not having one doesn't rule it out either. What matters is the genuine, ongoing impact on daily functioning.

Support coordination often plays a genuinely important role here too, helping navigate both NDIS supports and the broader mental health system together. Our guide on NDIS support coordination explains how that works.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does having a mental health condition automatically qualify me for the NDIS?

A Family’s Guide to Supporting a New NDIS Participant

Abdiqani — Thu, 03 Sep 2026 03:00:00 +0000

Life Stages

A Family's Guide to Supporting a New NDIS Participant

Watching a family member start their NDIS journey brings genuine hope, and genuine uncertainty. Here's how to support them well, without stepping on their independence.

5 minute read

NC Network of Care

Family support genuinely matters through this process, but it's worth getting the balance right, present and involved, without taking over decisions that belong to the participant themselves.

Learn the Basics Together

Understanding how funding, plans, and providers actually work helps you ask better questions and offer genuinely useful support, rather than well-meaning guesswork.

Respect Choice and Control

The scheme is built around participant choice, always. Your role is to support decisions, not make them, even when it's tempting to step in.

Attend Meetings as Support, Not the Lead

Being present at a planning meeting genuinely helps, but let the participant lead the conversation wherever possible, stepping in to support, not take over.

Connect With Other Families

Genuinely, other families going through the same thing are one of the most valuable resources available, practical tips and honest reassurance both matter.

Look After Yourself Too

Supporting someone through this process takes real energy. Burnout helps nobody, so genuine breaks and your own support network matter here too.

Worth remembering: your role will likely change over time, more hands-on early on, more in the background as confidence builds. That's a genuinely good sign, not something to resist.

If a planning meeting is coming up, our guide on what happens at your planning meeting is worth reading together beforehand.

Frequently Asked Questions

How involved should family be in an adult participant's plan?

Preparing Your Child for the Transition to Adult NDIS Supports

Abdiqani — Sun, 30 Aug 2026 19:29:00 +0000

Life Stages

Preparing Your Child for the Transition to Adult NDIS Supports

Turning 18 shifts a lot, including how NDIS supports work. Starting the conversation early makes this transition feel like a natural next step, not a sudden change.

5 minute read

NC Network of Care

The shift into adult supports isn't just an administrative milestone, it's a genuine step towards independence. A little preparation, well before the birthday itself, makes the whole process feel far less overwhelming.

Understand What Actually Changes at 18

Once a participant turns 18, they generally become the primary decision-maker for their own plan, unless a nominee arrangement is formally set up. This is worth discussing well ahead of time, together.

Use the Timing as a Natural Review Point

The transition to adulthood is a genuinely good moment to reassess goals, are they still about school-based skills, or shifting towards work, independent living, and community life?

Look Into Post-School Pathways Early

Programs supporting the move from school into work or further activity, often funded under Capacity Building, exist specifically for this stage, and they're worth exploring well before the final year of school wraps up.

Build Independence in Small, Genuine Steps

Practising decision-making, managing small parts of a routine, or attending part of a planning meeting independently all help build real confidence ahead of the bigger shift.

Worth remembering: this transition happens gradually for most families, not all at once. Starting these conversations a year or two ahead genuinely makes the actual day feel like less of a leap.

If a review is coming up around this time anyway, our guide on NDIS plan reviews is worth reading alongside this one.

Frequently Asked Questions

What actually changes when my child turns 18?

NDIS Price Guide Changes: What You Need to Know

Abdiqani — Thu, 27 Aug 2026 15:28:03 +0000

News & Updates

NDIS Price Guide Changes: What You Need to Know

The scheme evolves constantly, and staying across genuine changes protects your funding and your peace of mind. Here's what's actually changed recently, and how to stay informed going forward.

4 minute read

NC Network of Care

The scheme's pricing and rules don't stay static, and a handful of genuinely significant changes are worth flagging right now, particularly around Supported Independent Living.

1 July 2026

SIL Providers Move to a New Claim Code

SIL claims moved to a dedicated new code, separating them from the broader Daily Tasks/Shared Living category they previously shared. Participants don't need to do anything themselves, this is a provider-side administrative change.

1 October 2026

Mandatory Registration for SIL Providers

Registration became mandatory for anyone delivering SIL, closing what had previously been an option for unregistered providers in this specific category. Existing plans and funding remain unaffected.

Why this matters if you're choosing a SIL provider: confirming registration status is now a genuinely essential first step, not just a nice-to-have.

Beyond these specific changes, the price limits providers can charge under NDIA-managed funding are reviewed periodically, so it's genuinely worth checking current figures directly rather than relying on older information you might have seen elsewhere. If you're self-managed or plan-managed, remember prices can also be negotiated individually with your provider, within reason.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to do anything because of the SIL claim code change?

How to Prepare for Your NDIS Plan Review Meeting

Abdiqani — Thu, 27 Aug 2026 15:19:31 +0000

Tips & Advice

How to Prepare for Your NDIS Plan Review Meeting

A little preparation genuinely changes how a review meeting goes. Here's a practical way to walk in feeling ready, not rushed.

5 minute read

NC Network of Care

Reviews can sneak up on you. One week you're settled into your routine, the next you're being asked to reflect on the last few years and where things are heading. A bit of groundwork beforehand makes this genuinely easier.

Reflect on What's Actually Changed

Think honestly about your daily life since your last plan. What's improved, what's stayed the same, and where do you still need more support? This forms the real backbone of the conversation.

Gather Evidence Early

Reports from a treating professional showing real progress toward your goals carry genuine weight in a review. Reach out to them a few weeks ahead, not the night before, so there's time to actually get something useful written.

Think Ahead, Not Just Backward

A review isn't only about what's happened, it's also about what's coming. Changes in living situation, work, study, or health over the next few years are all genuinely worth mentioning.

Write Down Your Questions

It's easy to forget things in the moment. Jot down anything you're unsure about beforehand, funding, supports, timing, so nothing slips through the cracks.

Bring Support if You Want It

A family member, support coordinator, or advocate can genuinely help you feel more confident walking in, and can help you remember details afterward too.

Worth remembering: a review isn't a test to pass or fail, it's a genuine conversation about what's actually working. Being honest, including about what hasn't worked, leads to a better outcome than glossing over the hard bits.

For the official process itself, variations versus full reassessments, and exactly what to expect, our guide on NDIS plan reviews covers it in full.

Frequently Asked Questions

How far ahead should I start preparing for a plan review?

Common NDIS Myths, Debunked

Abdiqani — Mon, 24 Aug 2026 14:07:05 +0000

Tips & Advice

Common NDIS Myths, Debunked

Misinformation genuinely holds people back from getting the support they're entitled to. Let's clear up 10 of the most common myths, with the real facts behind each one.

7 minute read

TRUTH

Generally, no. Health treatment unrelated to disability is usually considered better provided through the mainstream health system, not the scheme itself.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a specific diagnosis to apply for the NDIS?

Understanding NDIS Terminology: A Plain-English Glossary

Abdiqani — Mon, 24 Aug 2026 13:54:45 +0000

Tips & Advice

Understanding NDIS Terminology: A Plain-English Glossary

The NDIS comes with its own language, acronyms, roles, and terms that don't always explain themselves. Bookmark this quick-reference glossary for whenever you need a fast, honest answer.

7 minute read

NC Network of Care

This isn't the full picture on any single term, it's a fast lookup. Where a fuller explanation exists on our site, we've linked straight to it, and where it's genuinely worth going to the source, we've linked directly to the official NDIS website too.

The Basics

NDIS: The National Disability Insurance Scheme, Australia's funding scheme for eligible people with disability. Full guide here.
NDIA: The National Disability Insurance Agency, the government body that runs the scheme.
Participant: Someone who has been found eligible and is receiving NDIS funding.
Access Request Form: The official application used to apply for the scheme. See our full application guide.
NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission: The independent body that regulates providers and handles complaints, separate from the NDIA. Visit the Commission's site.

People & Roles

Local Area Coordinator (LAC): Someone who helps participants connect with the scheme and community supports, particularly for those aged 9 and over.
Early Childhood Partner: The equivalent support role for families of children younger than 9, guiding them through the early childhood approach.
Support Coordinator: Someone who helps a participant connect with providers and make the most of their plan. See the 3 levels explained.
Support Worker: The person who delivers hands-on, day-to-day support, different from a support coordinator, who helps manage the plan itself.
Nominee: Someone formally appointed to make decisions or manage funding on a participant's behalf, where needed.
Plan Manager: A registered professional who handles invoice payments and record-keeping under plan-managed funding. Compare all 3 management options.

Funding & Plans

Core Supports: A flexible funding budget for everyday activities and community involvement. Full funding breakdown here.
Capacity Building: Funding aimed at building skills and independence towards specific goals.
Capital Supports: Funding for higher-cost items, like equipment, home modifications, or specialist accommodation.
Recurring Supports: Funding paid on a regular, ongoing basis, transport funding is a common example.
Reasonable and Necessary: The official test every funded support has to pass. See what this actually means.
Self-Managed / Plan-Managed / NDIA-Managed: The 3 ways plan funding can be administered. Compare the options here.
NDIS Price Guide: The official document setting maximum prices for supports under NDIA-managed funding, published on the official NDIS website.
Plan Reassessment: A full new plan built from updated information, as opposed to a smaller plan variation. Full explanation here.
Informal Supports: Unpaid help from family or friends, acknowledged in a plan but not funded by the scheme.
Mainstream Supports: Services already available to everyone, like health, education, or public transport, separate from NDIS-funded supports.

Services & Support

SIL: Supported Independent Living, funding for support workers to help with daily living, usually for people needing around-the-clock support. Full guide here.
SDA: Specialist Disability Accommodation, the actual housing itself for people with very high support needs, distinct from SIL.
Registered Provider: A provider approved by the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission. Required for anyone using NDIA-managed funding.
Unregistered Provider: A provider not formally registered, still bound by the Code of Conduct, but only usable with self-managed or plan-managed funding.
Home and Living Supports: The broader category covering SIL, SDA, and related accommodation-based supports.

Rights & Process

Code of Conduct: The rules every paid provider must follow, covering respect, safety, and honesty. Read your rights here.
Internal Review: The required first step after a decision you disagree with, handled by a different NDIA staff member.
ART: The Administrative Review Tribunal, the independent body that handles external reviews of NDIS decisions. See the full appeals process.
Service Agreement: A written agreement between a participant and a provider, setting out what's been agreed to.

Still confused by a term? Our full Understanding the NDIS library covers every one of these in genuine depth, and the official NDIS website is always worth checking directly for the latest updates.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between SIL and SDA?