NDIS new rules 2026: what a provider board should plan for
On 19 August 2026 the National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026 passed, and the new laws were signed on 20 August. Some changes are already in effect. Others arrive in stages through to 2028.
This guide is for board members, chairs and CEOs of NDIS providers. It lists the dates the National Disability Insurance Agency has published that touch providers most directly, and the questions a board can ask. It is general information and not legal advice. The Agency says it will update its information as changes take effect, so check its page before you act on any date.
Already in effect (as at 1 October 2026)
- Plan reassessments. Only participants, plan nominees or child representatives can now ask for a plan reassessment before the scheduled date. The Agency has 90 days to decide whether to reassess once it receives a request.
- Pricing decisions. The new laws let a pricing determination set the maximum amounts for NDIS supports. The Agency says there are no immediate changes to NDIS pricing and providers can keep following the current arrangements.
Still to come, no date yet
- Record keeping. The periods will be 3 years for participants, 5 years for nominees and 7 years for providers. The Agency says more information will explain what records are needed.
- Information gathering powers and civil penalties. The Agency will have stronger compliance, enforcement and information gathering powers, and may issue a penalty if a provider does not meet certain requirements, such as providing information.
Dates to put in the board calendar
- From 1 October 2026: support budgets for social, economic and community participation supports and improved daily living skills reduce over 12 months as plans are reassessed or newly approved. The Agency says some supports are not affected, including help with eating and drinking, education supports, employment supports and disability related health supports. Plans can also be suspended if a participant does not respond to requests for information, after reasonable attempts to make contact.
- From December 2026: claims must be submitted within 90 days of delivering a support.
- From February 2027: plan renewals replace plan continuations. For plans renewed from 1 February 2027, support budgets reduce over 12 months. New criteria apply to what counts as reasonable and necessary supports for new participants.
- From April 2027: the new way of planning begins to be introduced.
- From July 2027: mandatory registration requirements expand for some providers, those delivering personal care and daily living supports and supports provided in closed settings.
- From October 2027: a panel of plan management providers is established, with participants supported to move to a panel provider over 6 months.
- From January 2028: access changes begin for new applicants. Existing participants are reassessed over 3 years.
- From July 2028: a new commissioned support co-ordination and connection function begins.
The Agency also lists community consultation still to come, including on a commissioning approach for supported independent living and on differentiated pricing for unregistered providers.
Questions a board can ask
- Which of these dates touch our services, and who owns each one?
- If participants' support budgets reduce as plans are reassessed or renewed, what does that do to our revenue over the next 12 months, by service line?
- Can we show every claim was submitted within 90 days of the support being delivered? What would we change in our process to be sure from December 2026?
- How long do we keep each kind of record today, and does that meet 7 years for providers?
- If our registration scope is affected from July 2027, what is the decision, and when does the board need it?
- Which services should we grow, hold or change in light of all of this?
Where we can help
Our focus is strategy and leadership through regulatory change. We help boards and executives of NDIS providers turn a list of dates into a plan, and keep growth sustainable while rules change. If you mainly need help with registration paperwork or audit preparation, say so in your enquiry and we will tell you honestly whether we are the right fit.
Start with a free 30-minute consultation
Tell us about your provider and what you want to change. Send your enquiry through the form on our home page, and please do not include participant or client details. You can also reach us on 0419 188 464 or at juleen@jtsempower.com.
Request a free 30-minute consultation
Read about our NDIS business consultant advice.
Questions
What are the NDIS new rules for 2026?
New NDIS laws were passed on 19 August 2026. Some changes are in effect, others begin in stages to 2028, including a 90 day claiming timeframe from December 2026 and expanded mandatory registration for some providers from July 2027.
What should an NDIS provider's board do first?
List the dates that touch the provider, give each an owner, and ask what each does to revenue, records and registration scope.
Do you help with NDIS registration or audits?
Our focus is strategy and leadership. If you mainly need help with registration paperwork or audit preparation, say so in your enquiry and we will tell you honestly whether we are the right fit.