NDIS Changes 2026: What participants and families need to know
New Laws, Expanded Registration and What It Means for Your Support
If you have been hearing about changes to the NDIS and wondering what it all means for you or someone you support, you are not alone. 2026 is shaping up to be one of the biggest years of NDIS reforms since the scheme began.
New laws have passed. A new planning framework is on the way. And the rules around providers are getting tighter. That is a lot to take in.
At Culture Connex, we have been following these NDIS Act changes closely, and we want to make sure you have the information you need in plain language. Here is a breakdown of the key NDIS changes in 2026 and what they mean for participants, families, and carers.
1. New Integrity and Safeguarding Laws
On 1 April 2026, the Australian Parliament passed the NDIS Amendment (Integrity and Safeguarding) Bill 2025. This is one of the most significant pieces of NDIS legislation to come through since the scheme launched.
So what does it actually do? In short, it gives the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission stronger powers to take action against providers who do the wrong thing. The changes are designed to protect participants from fraud, exploitation, and unsafe practices.
Key changes include:
– Tougher penalties for serious misconduct, with fines increasing significantly for breaches that lead to harm
– It is now a criminal offence to provide NDIS supports that require registration without being registered, carrying a maximum of 2 years imprisonment
– Failing to comply with a banning order now carries up to 5 years imprisonment
– New anti-promotion orders to crack down on predatory marketing that exploits participants
– Banning order powers extended to include auditors and consultants, not just providers
For participants and families, this is reassuring. It means the system is getting better at weeding out providers who are not doing the right thing. And for registered providers like Culture Connex who have always operated with integrity, it levels the playing field.
2. The NDIS Fraud Crackdown
Alongside the new laws, the NDIA has been ramping up its fraud detection and prevention work through the Crack Down on Fraud program and the Fraud Fusion Taskforce.
The numbers speak for themselves. The NDIA now reviews around 20,000 high-risk claims every month. A ten-month crackdown on Short Term Accommodation (STA) claims saw a 47% drop in STA claims, saving more than $132 million. Over 3,000 providers have left the STA sector since enforcement began.
New systems are being built to detect and prevent non-compliance in real time, and automatic payments have been paused for nearly 1,000 plan managers to allow manual review of claims.
What this means for you: If you are working with a registered, trusted provider, this should give you more confidence that your funding is being used properly. It also means it is more important than ever to choose a provider with a strong track record and genuine accountability.
3. New Framework Planning (Starting Mid-2026)
This is arguably the biggest practical change coming for participants as part of the 2026 NDIS reforms. From 1 July 2026, the NDIS will begin rolling out a new approach to how plans are created and managed, called new framework planning.
The current planning process has drawn criticism for being inconsistent, confusing, and overly reliant on external reports. The new framework aims to fix that.
Here is what is changing:
– Plans will be based on structured support needs assessments, rather than relying heavily on multiple external medical and allied health reports
– A trained assessor will meet with you to discuss your daily life and the support you need
– The focus shifts from what you cannot do (functional limitations) to what disability-related supports you actually need
– Funding will be presented more clearly, with defined funding periods to help you plan ahead
– There will be a new definition of NDIS supports to make it easier to understand what funding can and cannot be used for
Here is what is not changing:
– Your current plan stays in place until you are contacted to transition
– The rollout is phased over several years, so many participants will not see changes straight away
– Children under 18 are not included in these NDIS planning changes for now
– You can still bring your family, carer, or support person to your assessment
More than 7,000 participants, families, and providers contributed to workshops and forums during the design of this new framework. At Culture Connex, we welcome this. We have always believed that lived experience should guide how support is delivered, and it is encouraging to see that principle built into the planning process itself.
4. Mandatory Provider Registration Is Expanding
This is the change that could have the most immediate impact on participants and families.
From 1 July 2026, Supported Independent Living (SIL) providers and online platform providers will be required to register with the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission. But that is just the start.
On 22 April 2026, Health and NDIS Minister Mark Butler addressed the National Press Club and confirmed that mandatory registration categories will be expanded further, particularly for providers delivering personal care. Legislation is expected to be introduced in May when Parliament returns for the budget.
To put this in perspective, around 93% of NDIS service providers are currently not registered. Only about 10% are. That means the vast majority of providers operating in the scheme have not been through the quality and safety checks that registration requires.
What does registration actually mean?
– Providers must meet nationally consistent quality and safety standards
– Independent audits are required
– Worker screening checks must be completed
– Suitability assessments are carried out
– Reporting obligations must be met
– The NDIS Commission has the authority to monitor, investigate, and take enforcement action
What this means for participants:
If you are currently receiving support from an unregistered provider, particularly for personal care, daily living, or in-home support, this could affect your arrangements. As registration categories expand, unregistered providers will either need to meet the new standards or they will no longer be able to deliver those services under the NDIS. Support Coordinators, LACs, and the NDIA will increasingly be directing participants towards registered organisations.
This is why choosing a registered provider matters more now than ever before. –
5. Why Choosing a Registered Provider Matters
With these changes coming, it is worth understanding what you get when you work with a registered NDIS provider versus an unregistered one.
A registered provider has been independently assessed against quality and safety standards. Their workers have been screened. They are accountable to the NDIS Commission. And if something goes wrong, the Commission has the authority to step in.
An unregistered provider has none of these safeguards in place. That does not mean every unregistered provider is doing the wrong thing, but it does mean there is limited oversight and no formal accountability if standards are not being met.
Culture Connex is and has always been a registered NDIS provider. We made that commitment from day one because we believe participants deserve that level of accountability. As these reforms roll out, nothing changes for our participants. The support, the standards, and the team stay the same.
As a registered provider, Culture Connex delivers:
– Support Coordination (Levels 1, 2 and 3 Specialist)
– Disability Support Workers
– Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA)
– Supported Independent Living (SIL)
– Home Modifications
– Allied Health and Clinical Nursing
– Daily Living and Personal Care
– Community and Social Participation
– Behavior Support (working with participants that have restrictive practices)
– Travel and Transport Assistance
We work with self-managed and plan-managed participants, and we tailor everything to your individual needs. Led by a person with disability, Culture Connex was built on lived experience, and we understand the challenges participants face because we have been through them ourselves.
6. Thriving Kids Programme
For families with younger children, the Australian Government has announced the Thriving Kids programme, a $4 billion national early intervention initiative for children aged 8 and under with autism or developmental delays.
The programme is expected to begin rolling out from October 2026, using community-based systems like schools, childcare centres, and healthcare providers to connect families with support earlier and more easily.
The goal is to help families get support before developmental concerns escalate, without needing to navigate complex eligibility processes upfront. This sits alongside the NDIS rather than replacing it, ensuring the scheme stays focused on participants with permanent and significant disability.
7. What Should You Do Now?
With all of these changes, it is natural to wonder what steps you should take. Here is our advice:
– You do not need to do anything right now. Your current plan and supports continue as usual.
– Stay informed. Follow updates from the NDIS website and your Support Coordinator.
– Check if your provider is registered. With mandatory registration expanding, this is more important than ever. If your current provider is unregistered, ask them what their plans are for registration.
– Start gathering your documentation. When the new planning framework reaches you, having clear records of your current supports and goals will help.
– Talk to your Support Coordinator. If you have questions about how these changes might affect your plan or your current provider, they can help you prepare and explore your options.
8. Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to do anything right now?
No. Your current NDIS plan and supports continue as usual. The new framework planning will be rolled out in phases, and you will be contacted when it is your turn to transition. There is no action required from you until then.
When will the new planning framework affect me?
The new framework begins rolling out from 1 July 2026, starting with adult participants aged 18 and over. It will be phased in over several years, so it may be some time before you are contacted. Children under 18 are not included in these changes for now.
How do I check if my provider is registered?
You can search for registered NDIS providers on the NDIS Commission website. Registration means a provider has met quality and safety standards set by the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission.
What happens if my provider is not registered?
Under the new integrity laws, it is now a criminal offence to provide NDIS supports that require registration without being registered. As mandatory registration expands to cover more service categories, unregistered providers will either need to register or stop delivering those services. If you are concerned about your current provider, speak with your Support Coordinator or contact the NDIS Commission directly.
Will my funding change under the new planning framework?
The new framework changes how plans are created and assessed. The Minister has indicated that over the next two years, average plan spending will be brought back to around $26,000, down from the current $31,000. Funding will be based on a structured assessment of your support needs, and the NDIS has said funding will be presented more clearly with defined funding periods.
Is Culture Connex a registered provider?
Yes. Culture Connex has been a registered NDIS provider since we started. You can verify our registration on the NDIS Commission website. We deliver approved support items across 21 support groups, covering Support Coordination, Disability Support Workers, SDA, SIL, Allied Health, and more.
We Are Here to Help
These are big changes. But at Culture Connex, we have been preparing for this direction since the beginning.
We are a registered NDIS provider, led by a person with disability, delivering over 500 line items of support across 21 support groups. We work with participants, families, carers, and Support Coordinators to make sure you are getting the most from your plan with a provider you can trust.
If you are currently with an unregistered provider and want to explore your options, or if you are new to the NDIS and looking for the right support, we would love to hear from you.
Phone: 02 4814 6118
Email: [email protected]
Website: cultureconnex.com.au
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