NDIS New Framework Planning 2027: Support Needs Assessments
As Australians age, maintaining independence, social connections, and quality of life becomes increasingly important.
Updated 4 October 2026 with the latest official information on new framework planning.
The NDIS is moving to a new way of making plans, called new framework planning. It is expected to start from 1 April 2027 and will be introduced gradually. This guide explains what's planned, what a support needs assessment is, whether you need to do anything now, and how you can have your say on the proposed rules.
What is new framework planning?
In 2024 the Australian Parliament changed the NDIS Act to allow a new way of planning. The Government says the proposed approach will focus on a person's daily life, goals and disability support needs, and may give participants a more flexible budget and more choice about how they use their NDIS funding.
The changes respond to the NDIS Review, which called for clearer processes for assessments and planning, more transparent decision-making for funding, and greater flexibility in plans. The proposed participant journey has four steps:
- Preparing for a support needs assessment. The NDIA contacts you with information to help you prepare.
- The support needs assessment. You meet an NDIA assessor to talk about your daily life, support needs and preferences.
- Building a plan. The NDIA uses the assessment report to structure your plan and work out your total plan budget. You receive the report and your plan.
- Using a plan. You can choose to have an implementation meeting, then use your plan to choose and buy supports.
When will it start?
New framework planning is expected to start from 1 April 2027. The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing says NDIS participants aged 18 and over will gradually move to new framework plans between April 2027 and 31 December 2030. The changes will happen in stages, so many participants won't notice any difference at first.
You keep using your current plan until you move to the new way of planning, and the NDIA will contact you before any changes affect you.
What is a support needs assessment?
The Government describes a support needs assessment as a guided conversation between an NDIS participant and a trained, accredited NDIA assessor. It's used to understand your disability support needs, and gathers information about your daily life, goals and support needs to help work out your reasonable and necessary supports and plan budget.
- You can bring a support person, such as your nominee, a family member or an advocate.
- The assessor checks the information they gather with you to make sure it's correct.
- You receive a copy of your support needs assessment report. If you have concerns about the report, the NDIA will discuss them with you and consider whether a new assessment is needed.
You can read more in the Government's support needs assessment factsheet (PDF).
Do I need to do anything now?
No. There's nothing you need to do yet. Your current plan keeps working as normal, and the NDIA will contact you ahead of your move to a new framework plan. A few simple things can help you feel ready:
- Keep your contact details up to date with the NDIA, so you don't miss information about your plan. Our guide to the NDIS contact rules explains why this matters.
- Think about your daily life and goals. The assessment is a conversation about how your day-to-day life looks and what support helps, so it can help to jot down what matters to you.
- Talk to your Support Coordinator if you have questions about how the changes might affect you.
How to have your say
The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing is consulting on proposed rules for new framework planning. The rules explain how a participant's disability support needs will be assessed, how NDIS budgets will be worked out, how participants can use their plan and funding, and how a plan can be changed. The consultation also covers updates to the NDIS Supports Transitional Rule.
The consultation closes at 11.59pm AEDT on 14 October 2026 (10.59pm in Queensland). You can:
- answer the consultation questions online
- upload a written submission
- send a video response, including in Auslan
- request a phone call, or call NDIS Consultations on 1800 020 103
- email NDISConsultations@health.gov.au
Easy Read, Auslan and summary versions of the consultation papers are available. Visit the New Framework Planning and NDIS Supports consultation page to read the papers and share your feedback.
How Tenax Supports can help
Tenax Supports is a registered NDIS provider in Tarneit. Our support coordination team can help you understand your current plan, keep on top of letters from the NDIA, and talk through what new framework planning may mean for you when the time comes. Call us on 03 7018 8666 or send an enquiry.
Sources: Have your say on new framework planning and NDIS support rules and Changes to the NDIS new framework planning (Department of Health, Disability and Ageing), and the Securing the NDIS for future generations timeline.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does NDIS new framework planning start?
New framework planning is expected to start from 1 April 2027 and will be introduced gradually. The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing says participants aged 18 and over will move to new framework plans in stages between April 2027 and 31 December 2030.
What is a support needs assessment?
A support needs assessment is a guided conversation between an NDIS participant and a trained, accredited NDIA assessor. It gathers information about your daily life, goals and support needs to help work out your reasonable and necessary supports and plan budget.
Do I need to do anything now?
No. You keep using your current plan until you move to new framework planning, and the NDIA will contact you before any changes affect you. It's a good idea to keep your contact details up to date.
Can I bring someone to my support needs assessment?
Yes. You can bring a support person, such as your nominee, a family member or an advocate. You'll also receive a copy of your support needs assessment report.
How can I have my say on the new framework planning rules?
The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing is consulting on the proposed rules until 11.59pm AEDT on 14 October 2026. You can answer questions online, upload a written submission, send a video (including Auslan), request a phone call or email NDISConsultations@health.gov.au.
Is new framework planning the same as applying for the NDIS?
No. New framework planning is for people who are already NDIS participants. There is a separate process to apply to become an NDIS participant.