NDIS changes from October 2026, in plain English
Couldn’t make an NDIS changes information session in Logan or Ipswich? Here is what is changing, when, and what it means for you, your family or the people you support.
General information only, current as at 17 October 2026. It isn’t advice about your plan — check ndis.gov.au or talk to the NDIA, your plan manager or your support coordinator.
The short version
- Your plan doesn’t change overnight. Budget changes happen at your next reassessment, new plan or renewal — not on 1 October, and not backdated.
- Some budgets are being reduced over 12 months: social, economic and community participation, and improved daily living skills.
- Answer the NDIA when they ask for information. From 1 October 2026 a plan can be suspended if a participant doesn’t respond.
- Claims get a 90-day limit from December 2026. Late invoices become a real problem.
- Apps and websites that book support workers must be NDIS registered, with new worker-check conditions from 1 January 2027.
1. Changes to support budgets
Budgets for social, economic and community participation and improved daily living skills will be reduced over a 12-month period. The reduction starts:
- from 1 October 2026 when a plan is reassessed or a new plan is approved, and
- from 1 February 2027 when a plan is renewed.
Help with eating and drinking, education, employment and disability-related health supports are not part of this reduction.
What to do: before your next plan meeting, gather evidence of how your community and daily-living supports help with your goals — notes from your workers, reports and examples. Ask your support coordinator to help you prepare.
How we help: after every shift, our workers write a progress note in the app, so you and your coordinator have a dated record of what each support achieved.
2. Plans can be suspended if you don’t respond
From 1 October 2026 the NDIA can suspend a plan if a participant doesn’t respond to requests for information, after reasonable attempts to contact them.
What to do: make sure the NDIA has your current phone, email and address, check your mail and myplace, and tell your coordinator or nominee if you are away or unwell.
There is also a new plan variation pathway for participants with high support needs who need 24-hour disability support.
3. The 90-day claim rule (from December 2026)
Claims must be submitted within 90 days of delivering a support. Today the limit is much longer, so this is a big change, especially for plan-managed and self-managed participants who rely on providers sending invoices on time.
What to do: ask every provider how quickly they invoice, and chase anything older than a few weeks.
How we help: our system flags any completed shift that hasn’t been claimed, well before the 90 days run out.
4. Booking apps and platforms must be registered
Online platforms that connect participants with support workers, and are paid from NDIS funds, now need NDIS registration. Platforms that weren’t registered had until 1 October 2026 to apply.
From 1 January 2027, new conditions for platforms are due to start, including:
- every worker has an NDIS Worker Screening check before offering supports through the platform;
- banning orders against a worker are checked and shown; and
- workers’ credentials are checked and displayed, with information about how they were checked.
Where we stand: Support For Everyone is a registered NDIS provider. We have applied to add the NDIS digital platform registration group, and that application is being assessed. Before any worker can go live with us they need NDIS Worker Screening, a Blue Card, the NDIS Worker Orientation Module, first aid (or nurse registration), CPR, an interview and an emergency contact.
5. New service agreement resources
On 13 October 2026 the NDIA released a service agreement template, checklist, guidance and an Easy Read version. Using the template is optional, but written agreements are best practice and set out what you will get, what it costs and how to change or end it.
How we help: we use written service agreements with participants, signed in the app, so the terms are clear before support starts.
Coming later
- February 2027: plan renewals replace plan continuations, and unspent funds won’t carry over.
- July 2027: mandatory registration is planned to expand to some providers, including personal care and daily living supports.
- October 2027: a panel of trusted plan management providers is planned.
- Still under consultation: different pricing for unregistered providers. No decision has been announced.
For support coordinators in Logan and Ipswich
With registration expanding and claim windows shrinking, it matters which providers your participants use. Support For Everyone is a registered NDIS provider with an app for booking support workers:
- every worker is checked before they go live (screening, Blue Card, orientation module, first aid, CPR and an interview);
- charged within NDIS price limits, with clear pricing shown before you book;
- free cancellation with 2 or more clear days’ notice;
- a progress note after every shift, ready for plan-review evidence;
- SFE holds organisation-level cover (professional indemnity, public liability and WorkCover Queensland).
See how we work with coordinators or message us — we’re happy to talk through a participant’s situation.
Sources
- NDIS: Securing the NDIS for future generations (dates for budgets, suspensions, the 90-day claim rule and later changes)
- NDIS: New service agreement resources available (13 October 2026)
- NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission: Mandatory registration for NDIS digital platforms