What is happening with the reforms?
The proposed National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026 would make some of the biggest changes to the NDIS since it was introduced. The Government says the changes are needed to slow NDIS growth, reduce fraud and make sure the Scheme remains available for future generations.
What is changing?
The Bill would introduce clearer tests for:
People may also be directed to other systems, such as workers compensation, transport accident schemes, aged care or future foundational supports, before becoming eligible for the NDIS.
The Bill proposes that NDIS supports can only address needs that arise directly from the impairment that made someone eligible for the NDIS.
For example, if someone has multiple health conditions, the NDIS may only fund supports linked to the condition that met the access requirements.
NDIS participants may only be able to ask for a plan review outside their usual review time if there has been a significant and ongoing change in their:
The Government says this is intended to reduce unnecessary plan increases.
The current practice of extending plans and carrying forward unused funding would be replaced by annual plan renewals.
People would keep their approved supports, but unused funds would not accumulate from one plan to the next.
A significant proposed change is the creation of “support determinations”, which are rules that could allow funding in some support categories to be reduced across the Scheme.
These would allow the Minister to reduce funding in certain support categories across the Scheme to help manage costs.
The Bill limits this power to:
The Government has stated that supports related to 24/7 (SIL) supports, employment and disability related health supports would be protected from these reductions.
The Bill would require decision makers to consider whether funding decisions are affordable and sustainable for the NDIS over time.
This marks a shift from focusing solely on individual needs toward balancing individual supports with the long term sustainability of the Scheme.
The NDIA would receive broader powers to:
Claims for supports would generally need to be submitted within 90 days instead of the current timeframe of two years.
What does this mean for people supported by Melba?
The Bill is designed to keep the NDIS financially sustainable and reduce fraud, but it may also result in:
For current participants, most changes would occur gradually over the next several years, with different measures commencing between late 2026 and 2028.
The bottom line
The Government describes these reforms as a way to protect the NDIS for future generations. While the changes may improve consistency, reduce fraud and support the long-term sustainability of the Scheme, Melba remains concerned about the potential impact on access, funding flexibility and the increased emphasis on cost control.
Melba will continue to monitor these proposed changes and explain what they may mean for people we support, families and supporters. If the Bill passes, we will share clearer information as the changes are confirmed and implementation dates become known.
Support determinations are not just administrative rules; they could shape which supports are funded and how funding decisions are applied across the Scheme.
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