NDIS has been through significant reform since 2023. Changes to how plans are made, what supports are funded, and how the Quality and Safeguards Commission operates. If you're a Queensland participant, some of these changes affect you directly. This guide gives you the headline updates and what they mean in practice.

Background to recent changes

The NDIS Review final report was released in late 2023. It made dozens of recommendations covering eligibility, plan structure, pricing, provider regulation, and the operating model. The federal and state governments agreed to implement most of the recommendations, though the timeline has been gradual.

The reforms aim to address known issues:

The scheme is growing faster than projected, raising questions about long-term sustainability.

Some plan funding levels are inconsistent — similar participants getting very different plans depending on planner and region.

Provider quality varies enormously, and oversight has been uneven.

Participants find the scheme hard to navigate, especially when complex situations arise.

The reforms are still rolling out. Some changes are already in effect; others are planned for 2026 and beyond.

How the changes affect planning

A few specific changes that affect plans:

More structured planning conversations. NDIA has rolled out updated planning approaches that emphasise more structured assessment of functional impact. Planners are using more formal tools and asking more standardised questions. The aim is to reduce the inconsistency between planners.

Increased emphasis on goals-based plans. Plans now lean harder on specific, measurable goals. Vague goals ("be more independent") are getting more pushback than they did before. Planners want concrete goals tied to specific funded supports.

Tighter scrutiny of capacity-building supports. Capacity Building funding is increasingly required to demonstrate outcomes. Long-term unchanged Capacity Building allocations are being challenged.

Reduced flexibility for some categories. Some funding that used to be flexible is being made more stated or constrained. This affects plan management to a small degree and Capital supports more directly.

For participants, what this means: come to planning meetings prepared with specific goals and clear evidence. Vague conversations about general support needs are less productive than they were.

Pricing updates

NDIS pricing is updated annually around 1 July. The 2025–26 pricing arrangements brought:

Modest increases (2–4%) in most hourly rates, reflecting wage inflation under the SCHADS Award.

Some category rate restructuring, particularly around supported employment.

Updated travel cost rules for providers in regional and remote areas.

Specific updates to specialist disability accommodation pricing.

Particular changes around assistive technology pricing structures.

Provider rates remain capped at NDIS price limits. Most providers charge at or near the cap because the rates reflect actual delivery costs.

Quality and safeguards changes

The Commission has expanded its activities:

More proactive investigation of provider concerns, not just response to complaints.

Stronger enforcement on provider compliance, including more banning orders and conditions on registration.

Updated practice standards for specific supports (behaviour support, restrictive practices, complex care).

Increased focus on fraud prevention and recovery of inappropriate claims.

For participants, this means more accountability from providers. Bad providers face more consequences than they used to. The Commission's complaint line (1800 035 544) is increasingly active.

Specific changes that affect Queensland

A few items particularly relevant to Queensland:

Worker Screening processes. The Queensland Worker Screening Unit has updated some processes, particularly around portability of clearances between states.

Regional access initiatives. New funding and program structures aim to address service gaps in regional and remote Queensland — though implementation is patchy.

Mental health pathway. Updates to how psychosocial disability assessments work, with more emphasis on recovery-oriented approaches and mental health-specific evidence.

Indigenous-specific approaches. Continued work on culturally safe service delivery for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participants in Queensland.

What participants should do now

A few practical things to consider given the current state of the scheme:

Prepare more thoroughly for planning meetings. Increased structure in NDIA's processes means evidence and specificity matter more. Vague preparation gets vague outcomes.

Use support coordinators if your situation is complex. The scheme is increasingly hard to navigate alone, especially for participants with complex needs.

Stay aware of provider quality. With more Commission enforcement, providers' track records are becoming more visible. Check whether your provider has had compliance issues before signing or staying.

Keep good records. Documentation of your spending, your goals, your achievements, and your needs is increasingly important — both for plan reviews and for any disputes.

Engage with the appeal process if needed. Internal review and AAT remain real options when initial decisions don't go your way. The scheme is designed to be reviewable.

Frequently asked questions

Will my plan change in 2026?

Your plan changes when it's reviewed, not when reform happens. Reform affects how new plans are made and may affect your next review. Existing plans remain in force until reviewed.

Are NDIS prices going up?

Modest increases in line with wage inflation. Major hourly rates increased 2–4% on 1 July 2025.

What happens if I don't keep up with changes?

Most participants don't track NDIS reform closely — that's reasonable. The main risk is going into a plan review unprepared because the process has shifted. Check with your support coordinator before reviews.

Will the scheme survive long-term?

That's a political question. Successive governments have committed to NDIS, with debate about scope, eligibility, and cost. The scheme as currently structured is here to stay; some specific aspects will continue to evolve.

If you'd like to talk through how recent changes affect your specific situation, contact Seareal. Our coordinators stay current on policy changes and can help you prepare for plan reviews and decisions.