The Disability Sector Brief, September 2026

Last month we wrote about the Future Generations NDIS Bill and what that could mean for participants and their families. Now the Bill has passed into law month we write to outline some of the changes the Bill will bring over the next 18 months. These changes will be phased in over this time period and ARC will continue to update you on the timeframes.

You can find a timeline for the changes here: Securing the NDIS for future generations

In summary:

• Introduced from August the 27^th this year, it is now only participants, their nominees or child representatives that can request an unscheduled plan assessment.

• Social and Community Participation funding will be reduced by 50% for all NDIS participants.  Reductions will take place from the 1^st of October this year for new participant plans and those plans being reassessed. From the 1^st of February 2027 reductions apply as plans automatically renew and reductions will be finalised by the 30^th of September 2027.

• Participants with high support needs who require continuous 24-hour care can request a plan variation once their SCP has been reduced. The new plan variation won’t apply to SCP funding but rather funds for daily living and Home and Living supports.

• Thriving Kids will commence on the 1^st of October this year. The Queensland Government is the only state that has yet to sign an agreement with the Federal Government. We are watching this space and will update you as soon as we know more.

• From December this year people will have 90 days in which to claim a plan variation.

• There will be new reasonable and necessary criteria for new plans.

• A new way of planning begins from April 2027.

  
  

There are a range of government consultations being held to seek your feedback.  You’ll find the full list of these consultations here: NDIS Reforms Consultation Hub - Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing - Citizen Space

For more detail and how these changes will be phased in People With Disability Australia have an informative website that we’ve included here: 2026 NDIS changes: What the new laws mean and what happens next - People with Disability Australia

ARC is here to support you through these changes so if you do have any questions or concerns please don’t hesitate to contact your coordinator.

Image credit: <a href="https://storyset.com/online">Online illustrations by Storyset</a>