From 27 August 2026, several legislated changes to the NDIS come into effect.
These changes affect unscheduled plan reassessments, record keeping, NDIA compliance and information-gathering powers, NDIS pricing powers and the use of automated administrative actions.
- Unscheduled plan reassessments: Only participants, plan nominees or child representatives can request an unscheduled reassessment. Requests can still be made in circumstances including a significant and ongoing change in a participant’s functional capacity or support needs. The NDIA has up to 90 days to decide whether to conduct a reassessment.
- Record keeping: New record-keeping requirements commence for participants, nominees and providers. Current NDIA guidance sets different retention periods depending on who is keeping the records, with further requirements to be specified in the NDIS Rules.
- Compliance and enforcement: The NDIA now has stronger information-gathering, compliance and enforcement powers, including civil penalty consequences in some circumstances.
- NDIS pricing: The Minister now has the power to make NDIS pricing determinations. This does not mean NDIS prices automatically change today. The NDIA has advised there are no immediate changes to current pricing.
- Automated administrative actions: New provisions allow computer systems to undertake specified administrative actions. Safeguards and oversight requirements apply, and NDIA guidance states that complex or discretionary decisions requiring judgement will continue to be made by people.
Melba will continue to monitor how these changes are implemented and what they mean in practice for people we support and the Melba community.
Changes to the NDIS must be transparent, accessible and implemented in ways that uphold the rights, choice and control of people with disability. People with disability must also have clear information about decisions that affect their plans, supports and lives.
