New framework planning and the NDIS

The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) is rolling out a new way of working out your funding and putting your plan together. It’s known as new framework planning.

From speaking widely with participants, families and support networks, the NDIA found that the process for creating National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) plans was inconsistent and it could produce different outcomes for people with similar needs. Plus, it was generally confusing for everyone involved.

With that in mind, the Agency set about developing a new template for the whole planning process – one that’s designed to create more consistency, clearer decision making, and fairer budget outcomes for everyone that needs the Scheme to live their best lives.

What the new framework will cover

Support needs assessment

This is the new name for what’s currently known as a ‘planning meeting’.

As part of the new framework changes, a support needs assessment will follow the same agenda for every participant, in an environment that suits you.

The discussion – which is intended to replace the NDIA’s reliance on impairment notices, functional capacity assessments, and medical reports – will be held between you and a trained assessor who’s focused on your life and your disability-related support needs.  

Flexibility in budgets

Similar to how things are right now, plans will include funding for:

• stated supports that are tied to specific purposes and can’t be used elsewhere
• flexible supports that can be used across different supports

Added to these specifics is the promise that plans will cover longer periods of time, meaning fewer scheduled reviews and more certainty and consistency in funding.

Maintaining participants’ rights and community involvement

While the planning process will change, you’ll continue to have the right to ask for a reassessment or variation of your plan if your circumstances alter, and you’ll still be able to request internal and external reviews through the NDIA and the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART).

The changes introduced via new framework planning came about following a consultation process involving participants and their families, which closed in early 2026. The NDIA is increasing opportunities for community consultation across the Scheme, and you can find out more through NDIS Engage.

So, what does this mean for people already receiving NDIS supports?

Nothing will change in the immediate term for anyone already on the Scheme. Existing plans will stay in place until you move to the new way of planning at the end of your current plan.

Like everything new with the Agency, the rollout will be gradual, and many people won’t experience changes for some time.

But what about people who are new to the NDIS?

New framework planning isn’t about a person’s eligibility for the Scheme – it kicks in once you’re approved to receive NDIS supports and it will affect how your plan is created.

People new to the Scheme can expect a structured conversation for their support needs assessment with someone trained to carry these out to a high level. This approach aims to remove the need for medical and functional reports and is intended to be more holistic.

Overall, the NDIA’s goal in overhauling the planning process is designed to make the whole experience easier to understand and more consistent for everyone.

You can find out more about new framework planning here.