The New NDIS Planning Framework: What It Means for You
If you have heard about the new NDIS planning framework and felt that familiar knot of worry in your stomach, take a breath. You are not alone, and there is no need to panic.
Yes, changes are coming to how NDIS plans are created. But the reality is far less dramatic than the rumour mill suggests. In this guide, we explain what is changing, what is staying the same, and most importantly, what you need to do right now.
What Is Changing in the NDIS Planning Framework?
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is introducing a new planning framework that changes how support needs are assessed and how participant budgets are determined.
The Timeline
The new planning framework will begin rolling out from mid-2026. It will not happen all at once. Instead, the NDIA will introduce it gradually with a small group of participants first.
This is a delay from the original September 2025 start date. The extension gives the NDIA more time to refine the framework based on community consultation and feedback.
The Big Shift: Needs-Based Planning
The biggest change is the move toward needs-based planning.
Instead of focusing mainly on functional impairment, what a participant cannot do, the new framework centres on disability support needs. In other words, it looks at what supports you need to live the life you want.
This approach aims to create a fairer and more consistent system for all NDIS participants.
Flexible Budgets vs Line Items
Many current NDIS plans allocate funding through specific line items.
Under the new framework, funding is expected to move toward more flexible budgets rather than highly detailed stated supports. This means participants may have greater flexibility in how their funding is used within approved categories.
More flexibility can make it easier to adjust supports as goals evolve.
Rules-Based Budget Determination
Budgets will be determined using a structured, rules-based method informed by a needs assessment report. The goal is to improve consistency and reduce variations in funding decisions between regions.
This change aims to ensure that similar support needs receive similar funding allocations.
What's Staying the Same?
Your current NDIS plan remains in place until you are formally transitioned to the new framework. Nothing changes overnight.
You still have a voice in your planning conversations. Sharing your lived experience, goals, and priorities remains central to the NDIS planning process.
Core supports continue as usual. This includes assistance with:
Daily living activities
Independent living skills
Social and community participation
Building confidence and capacity
If you are working on travel training, cooking skills, healthy routines, or community engagement, those supports continue under your existing plan.
What You Need to Do Right Now
Ready for the simplest advice you'll hear all week?
Nothing.
Seriously. If you're an NDIS participant reading this in early 2026, you don't need to do anything differently right now. Keep using your current supports, keep working toward your goals, keep engaging with your providers.
The NDIA will contact you when it's time for your transition. Until then, business as usual.
The Thriving Kids Program (A Separate Change)
You may also hear about the Thriving Kids program for children under eight. This is a separate early intervention initiative and is not directly linked to the broader NDIS planning framework changes for adult participants.
If you have a young child on the NDIS, your planner will guide you through any specific updates relevant to your child’s plan.
What This Means for Core Supports
For participants who rely on core supports providers like Horizons, the changes are designed to make things easier, not harder. The focus on disability support needs aligns perfectly with what good core supports already do: build your capacity, support your independence, and help you engage meaningfully in your community.
At Horizons, we use The Horizon Method to work with you on practical goals whether that's gaining confidence with public transport, establishing healthy routines, developing cooking skills, or building social connections through gym and community activities. The new planning framework is designed to support exactly this kind of capacity-building work.
The shift to more flexible budgets could actually give you more room to adapt your supports as you grow and your needs change. Instead of being locked into specific line items, you'll have more flexibility to respond to what's working and what's not.
Community Consultation: Having Your Say
The Department of Health and Aged Care (DHDA) is conducting public consultation in early 2026 about the framework implementation. If you want to have your say about how these changes roll out, keep an eye on the NDIA website and your local disability advocacy organisations for opportunities to provide feedback.
This consultation exists because the government listened to community concerns the first time around, that's why the rollout was delayed and refined. Your voice matters in shaping how this framework works in practice.
How Horizons Supports You Through Transitions
Change, even positive change can feel overwhelming when you're navigating the NDIS. That's where having consistent, reliable support makes all the difference.
Whether the planning framework is old or new, Horizons is here to help you build confidence and independence through practical, person-centred support. We work with you, not for you. We identify challenges, brainstorm solutions, create tailored strategies, and celebrate your progress every step of the way.
When your plan is up for review under the new framework, we can help you:
Identify what's working well in your current supports
Articulate your goals and needs clearly
Document progress and outcomes
Prepare for planning conversations
Our team brings diverse backgrounds (ex-military, hospitality, creative arts, cooking) and a down-to-earth approach that focuses on real results, not jargon, not paperwork mountains, just practical support that helps you move forward.
The Bottom Line
The new NDIS planning framework isn't something to fear. It's rolling out gradually from mid-2026, it's been delayed and refined based on community feedback, and it's designed to create a fairer, more consistent, and ultimately easier planning process.
Your current supports continue. Your voice still matters. And you don't need to do anything differently right now.
When your transition time comes, you won't be alone. The NDIA will guide you through the process, and your support providers, including core supports teams like Horizons will be right there with you.
Want to talk through how Horizons can support your independence journey, now and through any future changes? Call us on 0450 780 086 or reach out at hello@horizonssupportnetwork.com.au. We're here to help you build confidence, skills, and the life you want.
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Horizons Support Network provides NDIS core supports including Independent Living Skills, Daily Personal Activities, and Social & Community Participation in Brisbane and surrounding areas. We focus on capacity building, practical skill development, and supporting meaningful community connection.
