Federal Budget and NDIS laws update

The Australian Government has announced reforms in the 2026-27 Federal Budget to help secure the future of the NDIS. 

The Budget includes actions to:

  • deliver quality services and support, including a $200 million Inclusive Communities Fund to rebuild community organisation capability to host genuine participation activities
  • make eligibility requirements clearer, with standardised, evidence-based assessments of a person’s functional capacity
  • slow rapid cost increases to ensure the long-term sustainability of the scheme
  • fight fraud and stop rorts so participants and their families have better quality services and experience less exploitation and harm.

The Government has introduced a new law to Parliament to support these changes. 

The Department of Health, Disability and Aged Care has released a timeline with the key dates for implementing the Government’s plan. This includes when legislation will be introduced, when consultation will occur and when changes for participants and providers will begin.

What this means for participants

Nothing will change for now. 

Participants can keep using their current plan and do not need to do anything. 

Current NDIS rules and planning arrangements will stay the same until after the law is passed.

Find out more

The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing has more information about the new law and related changes:

New way of planning

From April 2027, the NDIS will start a new way of planning. This aims to make planning fairer and easier.

These changes follow recommendations from:

Thriving Kids

The Australian Government is working with states and territories to set up the Thriving Kids program , with a joint investment of $4 billion to be invested over 5 years.

Thriving Kids will support children aged 8 and under with developmental delay and/or autism with low to moderate support needs. 

For more information visit the Securing the NDIS for future generations timeline .