From mid-2026, the way NDIS plans are created will begin to change. This new approach is called New Framework Planning. It is designed to make the planning process clearer, fairer, and more consistent, so it better reflects what you need to live your life.
These changes are happening because people with disability, along with families, carers and providers, shared their experiences through the Independent Review of the NDIS. Many people said planning felt confusing and focused too much on paperwork instead of real support needs. New framework planning aims to address those concerns.
What is New Framework Planning?
New framework planning is about understanding you as a person, not just your diagnosis. It focuses on the supports you need day to day, what matters to you, and the strengths you bring to your life.
The goal is to make plans easier to understand, with clearer explanations about how funding decisions are made. Plans will be simpler, more flexible and designed to last longer, giving you more certainty and fewer planned reviews.
How the new NDIS planning process will work
The new approach follows four main steps, designed to support you through the process.
Preparing for a support needs assessment
You will receive information to help you get ready for a meaningful conversation about your life, your goals and the supports you need.
To prepare for your support needs assessment think about these questions;
- What do you find easy to do?
- What do you find hard?
- What you can do in a typical day?
- What do you need help with?
- What type of support do you need? – physical support from someone, prompting, aids and equipment, assistive technology.
- How often do you need support? – times of the day and how long for
- What happens if you don’t have support? – think about the risks, or the important things you miss out on.
- What do you want to learn or get better at, your goals?
The support needs assessment
A trained assessor external to Challenge, will meet with you at a time and place that suits you. You can choose to have a family member, carer or support person with you. Together, you will talk about your daily life, what you do well, and where you need support.
It is important that you are well prepared for the assessment and have the right people to support you. If the time proposed by the assessor doesn’t work for you, you have the right to ask for a better day and time. You can also ask for the assessment to be done in a way that best suits you; face to face, in your home or other ways that work for YOU.
Building your plan
The NDIA will use the assessment report to build your plan and explain how your budget has been worked out. Your plan will always be approved by trained NDIS staff.
It is important that you ask questions if you don’t understand or you think your plan is wrong. There are ways to appeal NDIA Plan decisions and more information can be found here: Request a review of a decision | NDIS
Using your plan
You can choose and use the supports that work best for you. If you need help, you can talk to your Support Coordinator, Challenge Customer Engagement Manager or meet with the NDIA to talk about how your plan is working and make sure it meets your needs.
When will this happen?
New Framework Planning will be introduced gradually for Participants who are having their NDIA Plan reviewed from mid-2026.
Have your say
Public consultation on the draft planning rules is open until 6 March 2026. This is an opportunity for you to share what matters to you and help shape the future of NDIS planning.
Your feedback can help make sure the new planning process is fair, transparent, and focused on real support needs.
To learn more or provide feedback, visit the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing consultation page.
