Participants are invited to help test the new way of planning before it rolls out from April 2027.
Testing helps us understand what works well and what needs to improve, so planning works better for a wide range of participants.
Participants can take part and share their feedback.
We are looking for participants with different disability types, support needs and lived experiences. Testing helps make sure the new way of planning is designed with participants, not just for them.
Why take part
Taking part gives participants the chance to:
- experience what the new way of planning might be like
- share feedback that helps improve the process
- help improve how planning works for other participants
- be paid for their time
What participants may do
Participants may:
- take part in a simulated support needs assessment
- help train and accredit NDIA assessors who will do support needs assessments in the future
A support needs assessment is a guided conversation. It helps the NDIA understand a participant’s disability-related support needs.
When we say simulated, we mean it may feel like a real assessment but is only used for testing and improvement.
What participants need to know
Testing will run from July to December 2026.
Taking part is voluntary. It will not:
- change a participant’s current NDIS plan
- affect a participant’s future funding or eligibility
- impact a participant’s supports
- result in a new plan or budget
Information shared during testing is only used to improve the process. It cannot be used to inform individual plans.
Participants are paid for their time. The NDIA will also arrange and pay for supports needed to take part, such as interpreters, live captioning or a support worker.
Who can apply
Applications are open to:
- NDIS participants aged 18 years and over, or
- a plan nominee
All applications are welcome. Not everyone will be selected. Participants are chosen based on what is needed for testing at the time.
How to apply
Some participants will receive an email invitation.
Participants and plan nominees can also apply now on the NDIS Engage website .
A participant information pack will be shared with applicants to explain what to expect before taking part.
Expressions of interest are open until 31 December 2026.