NDIS Begins Live Testing of the New Support Needs Assessment

The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) has officially begun live testing of the new Support Needs Assessment — a key part of the upcoming changes to NDIS planning set to roll out from mid-2026.

This marks an important step toward creating a clearer, fairer, and more transparent planning experience for NDIS participants.

What Is the New Support Needs Assessment?

The Support Needs Assessment is part of the NDIS’s “new way of planning.” It is designed to:

• Create more consistent funding decisions

• Improve transparency in planning

• Provide longer plan periods

• Reduce unnecessary reviews

• Ensure fairer outcomes for participants

The goal is to make sure a participant’s funding is based on their support needs — not which planner they are assigned or what reports they can afford.

What Is Being Tested Right Now?

An initial group of 30 NDIS participants are taking part in simulated support needs assessments to test:

• Accessibility

• Ease of use

• Clarity of questions

• Participant experience

• Emotional safety during the process

The session includes:

1. An introduction and opportunity to get to know the participant

2. Completion of structured assessment questions

3. Review and confirmation of information with the participant and their supporters

These live simulations build on more than 10,000 desktop exercises already conducted by the NDIA.

What Happens Next?

A second, more comprehensive testing phase will begin in March 2026. This phase will:

• Include a broader range of participants

• Introduce more complex scenarios

• Be conducted both virtually and face-to-face

Assessments are being delivered by trained NDIS planners who are completing accreditation to use the I-CAN Support Needs Assessment tool.

Live assessments are also part of the formal accreditation process with the Centre for Disability Studies at the University of Melbourne.

What Participants Are Saying

NDIS participant and co-design working group member LJ Atkinson from New South Wales described the experience as:

• Calming

• Inclusive

• Genuine

• Very different from previous planning experiences

She shared that she was given time to ask questions and take breaks, and felt the structure of the assessment encouraged open and honest conversations.

Her feedback highlights one of the key aims of the new system — improving trust and emotional safety during planning.

Why Is the NDIS Changing the Planning Process?

According to Jenny McAllister, Minister for the NDIS, the reforms aim to ensure:

• Funding is fair and consistent

• Plans are not influenced by planner variation

• Participants are not disadvantaged by limited access to allied health reports

• The scheme remains sustainable for future generations

The new framework is being developed in consultation with the disability sector by the Department of Health, Disability and Aged Care, with consultation open until 6 March 2026.

Will This Affect Current Participants?

The new planning model will be introduced gradually over several years.

This means:

• Many participants will not experience changes immediately

• The NDIA will contact participants directly before any changes affect their plans

• Clear information will be provided about what the changes mean

Participants can also nominate to be involved in the design process through NDIS Engage.

What This Means for Therapeutic Support Participants

At TS Support, we understand that changes to NDIS planning can feel overwhelming. Our team is committed to:

• Helping participants understand upcoming changes

• Supporting preparation for future planning conversations

• Ensuring support documentation clearly reflects real support needs

• Advocating for fair and transparent outcomes

As the NDIS evolves, we remain focused on empowering participants with clarity, confidence, and informed decision-making.

Need Help Understanding NDIS Changes?

If you would like guidance about how the new Support Needs Assessment may impact your plan, contact Therapeutic Support for a personalised discussion.