Your NDIS plan, explained simply
Pick a topic. Go at your own pace. You can come back any time.
Checked against the NDIS and government websites on 30 October 2026.
The NDIS is changing
New laws started in 2026. More changes come in 2027 and 2028. This guide includes them. Look for the orange change boxes.
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What and why
What is the NDIS?
The NDIS is the National Disability Insurance Scheme.
It gives money to people with disability. The money pays for the help they need because of their disability.
This money is called funding.
The NDIA runs the NDIS. NDIA means National Disability Insurance Agency.
Why is there an NDIS?
So people with disability can:
- live the life they choose
- do everyday things
- learn new skills and do more for themselves
- join in with friends, family and community
- work towards their goals, like a job or study
You are in charge
You choose who helps you, and how. This is called choice and control.
A family member or someone you trust can help you make choices.
The NDIS does not pay for everything
Other help keeps going too. For example:
- Mainstream supports: doctors, hospitals, schools and Centrelink
- Community supports: clubs, libraries, churches and groups
- Informal supports: family, friends and neighbours
The NDIS pays for help that is because of your disability, and that these places do not already give you.
Do I have to pay it back?
No. NDIS funding is not a loan. You only have to pay money back if it is spent on things the NDIS does not allow.
Who
Who can join the NDIS?
Right now, you need to:
- be under 65 when you ask to join
- live in Australia, and be an Australian citizen, have a permanent visa, or have a Protected Special Category Visa
- have a disability that is permanent (it will probably last your whole life) and makes everyday life much harder
Or, for some children: need help early so they can do better later. This is called early intervention.
Young children
For a child under 9, talk to an early childhood partner first. They can help straight away, even before the NDIS.
From October 2026, a new program called Thriving Kids helps young children with developmental delay or autism who need low to moderate support.
Change from 1 January 2028
The rules for joining will change. Nothing changes before then.
- New people will do a new assessment. It looks at how your disability affects your day-to-day life.
- People already in the NDIS will be checked again, slowly, over 3 years. You will be told well before.
- Children aged 8 and under with developmental delay or autism and low to moderate needs will get help from Thriving Kids instead.
- People with permanent and significant disability will still be able to join.
How
How do I get a plan?
There are 7 steps. You do not have to do them alone.
Ask to join
Call the NDIA on 1800 800 110. Or fill in the Access Request form. Or ask a local area coordinator (LAC) or early childhood partner to help you.
Show your evidence
Give reports from your doctor, specialist or therapist. They should say what your disability is and how it affects your life. Newer reports are better.
The NDIA decides
The NDIA tells you in writing if you can join. If yes, you are now an NDIS participant.
Plan meeting
You meet an NDIA planner. You talk about your life, your goals, who helps you now, and the help you need. You can bring someone with you.
Your plan is approved
The NDIA aims to approve your first plan within 56 days of you joining. For a child under 9, within 90 days. You can see it in the my NDIS app or portal.
Getting started meeting
Within 7 days you are offered a plan implementation meeting. It helps you understand your plan and start using it. You can ask for one at any time.
Check-ins
Usually once a year, someone checks in with you. You get a new plan on your reassessment date, or sooner if your life changes a lot.
Change from 1 April 2027
Planning will slowly move to a new way, called new framework planning. You will talk with a trained NDIS assessor. Then you get a report that explains how your budget was worked out.
You do not need to pay for a private assessment. The NDIA does it.
Get ready for your plan meeting
Tick each one when you have done it. Your ticks stay on this device only.
What
What is in my plan?
Your plan tells you:
- about you, and who supports you
- your goals
- your NDIS supports (the help the NDIS will pay for)
- your total funding, split into money boxes called support budgets
- who manages each part of the money
- if a budget reduction has been used on some supports
- how long your plan lasts, and your funding periods
- how to tell the NDIA if your plan needs to change
Flexible or stated?
Your plan says one of these next to each part of your money.
Flexible
You choose how to spend the money in that box. You can use it across the different parts of the same box.
Stated
The money can only be used for the support written in your plan. You still choose who gives you that support.
Some stated supports say quote required. The NDIA needs a quote or report first, then the money becomes ready to use.
Funding periods: your money comes in parts
Your money does not all arrive at once. It is let out in parts, called funding periods. A part is usually 3 months.
Example: you have $12,000 for one year. About $3,000 is ready every 3 months.
- Money you do not use in one part moves on to the next part.
- If one part runs out, new bills wait until the next part starts. Or you and your provider can agree to pay from the next part.
- You can never spend more than your total.
- Money left at the end of your plan does not carry over to your next plan.
What it pays for
The 4 money boxes
Your plan money is split into 4 boxes, called support budgets. Each box has smaller parts, called support categories. You only get money in the boxes you need.
Tap a part to see what it pays for.
About the cuts
From 1 October 2026, new and reassessed plans have less money for social and community participation (half) and improved daily living skills (10% less). Renewed plans get this from 1 February 2027.
These are not cut: help at home with eating, dressing, showering and toileting, community nursing, medication help, home and car changes, mobility equipment, transport, continence products, and specialist housing (SDA).
Inside the cut parts, these are protected: work supports, disability-related health supports, high intensity supports, intensive and complex behaviour support, custom and wearable technology, and hearing services.
The cut may not mean less help, if you were not using all of that money before.
How
Who pays the bills?
There are 3 ways to manage your money. You can mix them. You can ask to change at any time.
1. Self-managed
You (or your nominee) pay your providers. Then you claim the money back in the my NDIS app.
- Use any provider, registered or not
- You can agree on prices
- You can employ your own workers
- You keep all receipts and records
Good if you are organised and want the most choice.
2. Plan-managed
A plan manager pays your bills for you and keeps the records. They should send you a report each month.
- Use any provider, registered or not
- The NDIS gives you extra money to pay the plan manager. It does not come out of your other support money.
Good if you want choice without the paperwork.
3. NDIA-managed
The NDIA pays your providers for you.
- You can only use registered providers
- If a provider you have not listed makes a claim, the NDIA sends you an SMS to check
Good if you are not sure yet. You can change later.
| Self | Plan manager | NDIA | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who pays bills | You | Plan manager | NDIA |
| Which providers | Any | Any | Registered only |
| Paperwork for you | Most | Some | Least |
| Price | You can agree on it | Up to NDIS price limits | Up to NDIS price limits |
In every way, it is still your job to:
- choose your providers
- check what is being spent
- only buy things your plan allows
Change from 1 October 2027
Plan managers must be on a list approved by the government. If yours is not on the list, you will have 6 months to change.
How
Using my funding
Choose your providers
A provider is a person or business that gives you a support. You choose them. You can change providers if you are not happy.
Make a service agreement
This is a written deal with your provider. It says what they will do, how, for how long, and how much it costs. Read it before you sign. Keep a copy.
Check your spending often
Look in the my NDIS app or portal. Make sure the money lasts for your whole plan.
Bills and records
- Claims must be made within 90 days of getting the support (from 1 December 2026).
- Keep receipts and invoices. The law says at least 3 years. The NDIA's self-management guide says 5 years, so keeping them 5 years is safest.
What the NDIS will not pay for
- Everyday living costs everyone pays, like rent, groceries and power bills
- Things another service should pay for, like your GP, hospital or school
- Things not related to your disability
- Illegal things, alcohol, drugs, gambling or sex work
The NDIS has 2 official lists: supports that are NDIS supports, and supports that are not.
Swapping a support for an everyday item
Sometimes an everyday item helps you just as well, for the same price or less. For example a tablet, smart watch, smartphone, or washing machine. This is called a replacement support.
You must ask first and get a yes in writing before you buy it.
Made a mistake?
That is OK. It happens. Call the NDIA on 1800 800 110 and they will help you fix it.
Change from 1 July 2027
For higher-risk supports, like personal care, you will need a registered provider. This starts slowly from 1 July 2027 and finishes by December 2030.
Always be honest
Giving the NDIA false information is against the law.
Try it
Would the NDIS pay?
Guess yes or no. Then see why.
Every plan is different. The NDIA decides what is right for you.
When
What is changing, and when
A new law started in August 2026. The changes happen slowly, from 2026 to 2030.
What stays the same
Support for your critical care and daily living needs will not change. If you need care 24 hours a day, you will keep getting it.
Your rights
If something changes, or feels wrong
My plan needs a small change
Ask for a plan variation. For example, to change how your money is managed, or to fix a mistake.
My life has changed a lot
You can ask for a new plan early. This is called a plan reassessment.
- Only you, your nominee or guardian can ask.
- The change must be big and ongoing. For example your health, where you live, school or work, or the people who help you.
- The NDIA has 90 days to decide. No answer counts as a no, and then you can ask for a review.
Think carefully first. A new plan looks at everything again.
Emergency or crisis
If there is an emergency, a crisis, or fraud, call the NDIA. You can ask for a variation to get help straight away.
I need 24-hour support and my budget was cut
Ask for a high support needs variation within 90 days of your plan being approved. You do not need new evidence.
I do not agree with a decision
Internal review
Ask the NDIA to look again. You have 3 months from the decision.
The Tribunal
Still not right? Ask the Administrative Review Tribunal within 28 days. It is free.
Making a complaint
- About the NDIA: tell the NDIA first. If that does not fix it, contact the Commonwealth Ombudsman.
- About a provider, or if you feel unsafe: contact the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission.
You do not have to do this alone
A free advocate can help you speak up and know your rights. Phone numbers are in Help and phone numbers.
Keep your contact details up to date
If the NDIA cannot reach you many times, your plan can be paused.
Words
Words to know
NDIS words can be confusing. Here is what they mean.
Help
Help and phone numbers
You can ask for help at any time. It is OK to ask the same question more than once.
Talk to Inclusive Minds
We can help you understand your plan and get ready for plan meetings.
Where this information comes from
- NDIS: Creating your first plan
- NDIS: Using your funding (support budgets, funding periods, ways to manage)
- NDIS: What are NDIS supports
- Department of Health, Disability and Ageing: About the changes to the NDIS
- NDIS: Securing the NDIS for future generations
This guide gives general information only. It is not legal or financial advice. Every plan is different. Rules can change, so check the NDIS website or call the NDIA.