Which NDIS Supports Are Affected From 1 October 2026? A Guide for Participants and Providers

What is changing from 1 October 2026?

From 1 October 2026, NDIS budgets for two support categories will be progressively reduced:

The changes will apply when:

The NDIS has stated that the impact will be different for each participant because plans are based on individual goals, circumstances and support needs.

Important: 1 October does NOT mean everyone's current funding suddenly changes that day.

The reduction is being introduced progressively as plans are created, reassessed or renewed.

So, if you currently have an NDIS plan, don't assume that your funding will automatically reduce on 1 October 2026.

Which NDIS supports are affected?

The two categories specifically identified by the NDIS are:

1. Social, Economic and Community Participation

This category can include supports that help a participant:

2. Improved Daily Living Skills

This category can include certain supports designed to help participants develop skills and independence in areas of daily life.

However, not every individual support within these categories is necessarily affected in the same way.

The NDIS has also identified several groups of supports that will not be affected by the budget reduction.

Which NDIS supports are NOT affected?

According to the NDIS, the changes will not affect certain supports, including:

The NDIS has indicated that it will publish further information about the full list of supports that are not affected.

⚠️ Important

Don't assume that a support is affected—or protected—simply because of the name of the service.

The specific support item, category, participant circumstances and plan arrangements matter.

The NDIS website should be checked for the latest support-item information before making decisions about a participant's plan.

What does this mean for NDIS participants?

For participants, the most important thing is:

Don't panic — understand your individual plan first.

The October changes are being introduced progressively rather than automatically changing every participant's funding on 1 October.

If your plan is being reassessed or renewed, however, the changes may affect the amount available for certain supports.

This makes it particularly important to understand:

What supports am I currently using?

Which support category are they funded from?

Are these supports still meeting my disability-related needs?

Have my circumstances changed?

Do I have evidence showing why I need the level of support I currently receive?

What should participants do now?

Here is a practical checklist.

✅ 1. Check your current NDIS plan

Look at:

NDIS plans are individual, and different support budgets have different rules.

✅ 2. Understand where your supports are funded

For example, don't just look at the name "support worker."

Look at:

What support is being provided, why is it being provided, and which NDIS support category is paying for it?

This is particularly important when planning for your next plan.

✅ 3. Keep evidence up to date

If your disability support needs have changed, make sure your evidence reflects your current functional needs.

Depending on the situation, evidence may include reports from:

✅ 4. Document changes in your circumstances

The NDIS says a plan reassessment may be considered where there has been a significant and ongoing change in circumstances, including changes to:

For example:

A participant who previously managed several community activities with limited assistance may now require substantially more support because their functional capacity has changed.

That change should be clearly documented.

What if my current NDIS funding is no longer enough?

The October changes do not mean participants cannot ask for their plan to be changed.

The NDIS states that participants can still request a plan reassessment or plan variation if their circumstances change.

The key question is not simply:

"I want more funding."

It is:

"What has changed, how does that change affect my disability-related support needs, and what evidence demonstrates the need for the requested support?"

This is where good documentation and support coordination can be particularly useful.

What does this mean for NDIS providers?

The changes are also important for providers.

Providers should understand:

1. Participants may have different funding arrangements

Two participants receiving a similar service may have different plans, support categories and funding arrangements.

Providers should therefore avoid assuming that a support will be funded in exactly the same way for every participant.

2. Providers should communicate changes clearly

If a participant's funding or support arrangements are changing, providers should communicate with the participant and relevant people involved in their support.

3. Providers should review service arrangements

Providers may need to work with participants and their Support Coordinators to understand:

4. Providers should stay up to date with NDIS pricing information

The NDIS has also recently published its 2026–27 pricing schedules, effective 24 September 2026. The NDIS says participants and providers do not need to take action in response to that pricing determination.

A separate consultation for 2027–28 NDIS pricing is currently open until 1 November 2026 and includes areas such as disability support worker supports, therapy, social and community participation and Support Coordination.

How can a Support Coordinator help?

A Support Coordinator can help a participant understand how changes may interact with their individual circumstances.

This can include helping you:

🔹 Understand your current plan

Review what supports are currently funded and how they are being used.

🔹 Identify changes in your support needs

For example:

🔹 Coordinate evidence

Where appropriate, your Support Coordinator can help you understand what information may be relevant and coordinate with allied health professionals and providers.

🔹 Prepare for your next plan

The NDIS encourages participants to consider their current supports, goals, circumstances and whether their supports are meeting their needs when preparing for their next plan.

🔹 Coordinate providers

A Support Coordinator can also help ensure different providers are working toward the participant's goals and that changes are communicated appropriately.

💜 How can Openhearted Support help?

Openhearted Support provides disability support services with a participant-focused approach.

We are based in Craigieburn, Melbourne, and support participants across Melbourne and surrounding areas.

Our team can assist participants and families to better understand their support arrangements and navigate changes affecting their NDIS supports.

Depending on the participant's needs and service arrangement, this can include support with:

🌿 Our approach

At Openhearted Support, we focus on more than simply delivering a service.

We aim to understand:

What does the participant need to live their life with greater choice, participation and independence?

Every participant's situation is different, so support should be considered in the context of their individual goals, functional needs and NDIS plan.

Supporting Participants Across Melbourne

Although Openhearted Support is based in Craigieburn, Melbourne, our services are available to participants across Melbourne and surrounding areas, subject to the service and participant's individual circumstances.

If you're in areas such as:

you can contact our team to discuss your support needs and available services.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does everyone's NDIS funding reduce from 1 October 2026?

No. The changes apply progressively to certain support budgets when plans are created or reassessed from 1 October 2026, and to renewed plans from 1 February 2027.

Which NDIS budgets are affected?

The NDIS has identified Social, Economic and Community Participation and Improved Daily Living Skills as the two support categories affected by the budget reductions.

Will my current NDIS plan immediately change on 1 October?

Not necessarily. The changes are applied as plans are created or reassessed from 1 October 2026, or renewed from 1 February 2027.

Can I still request an NDIS plan change?

Yes. The NDIS says participants can still request a plan reassessment or variation when circumstances change.

What if my disability support needs have increased?

Document the change and consider what evidence demonstrates your current functional support needs. The NDIS identifies significant and ongoing changes in daily activities, living arrangements, education/employment or informal supports as circumstances that may be relevant to reassessment.

Are all support workers affected by the October changes?

Not necessarily. What matters is the support being delivered, its support category and the participant's individual plan. The NDIS has identified particular supports and categories that are protected from the budget reduction.

Where can I get help understanding my NDIS supports?

You can speak with your Support Coordinator, NDIS contact, relevant provider or allied health professionals depending on the issue.

What should you do before your next NDIS plan?

Use this simple checklist:

☐ Check your plan dates

☐ Review your current supports

☐ Identify which categories your supports are funded from

☐ Record any changes in your disability-related needs

☐ Gather relevant allied health or other evidence

☐ Review whether your current supports are meeting your goals

☐ Speak with your Support Coordinator if you need help preparing

☐ Check the latest information on the official NDIS website

The key message

The 1 October 2026 NDIS changes are important, but they do not mean every participant will automatically lose funding on 1 October.

The changes are being introduced progressively, and the impact will depend on the participant's plan, support needs and when their plan is created, reassessed or renewed.

If your circumstances have changed, don't wait until you are struggling to explain what you need. Start documenting changes and gathering relevant evidence early.

📞 Need help understanding your NDIS supports?

Openhearted Support

📍 Based in Craigieburn, Melbourne

🌏 Supporting participants across Melbourne and surrounding areas

🌐 www.openheartedsupport.com.au

📞 1800 976 186

✉️ admin@ohsupport.com.au