The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is going through some big changes this year, and many participants, families, and providers are feeling the impact. Here’s a simple breakdown of what’s happening, what it means, and what people are saying.

🧾 New Rules About What the NDIS Will Fund
From July 2025, the NDIS has introduced stricter rules about what supports it will pay for. The government now requires that all funded supports be “evidence-based” and directly linked to a person’s disability. That means some therapies—like equine therapy (horse-based support)—are no longer covered unless they’re delivered by a registered therapist using a recognised clinical approach.

Other alternative therapies, like aromatherapy or crystal healing, have also been excluded. However, music and art therapy are still funded if the therapist is accredited. Assistance animals like guide dogs remain covered, but casual animal interactions (like petting rabbits or riding horses for emotional support) are now considered “complementary” and not funded.
Disability advocates say this shift is too “medicalised” and doesn’t reflect the real-world benefits some therapies offer. People with Disability Australia and other groups have raised concerns that the new rules reduce flexibility and choice—especially for people in rural and remote areas where access to registered therapists is limited.

💰 Changes to NDIS Budgets and Claims— And Why Front-Loading Matters

The way NDIS funding is delivered is shifting. Instead of receiving a full budget upfront, participants now get funding split into set periods—usually quarterly or every six months. The idea is to help people pace their spending and avoid running out too early. But in practice, this change is causing some headaches.

One major issue is the cost of evidencing changes in support needs. If a participant’s situation changes—say their health declines or they need more therapy—NDIS often asks for updated reports from allied health professionals. These reports aren’t cheap, and there’s no guarantee the plan includes enough funding to cover them. Without the right evidence, participants can’t get the changes approved, leaving them stuck with supports that no longer fit.

That’s why many providers and advocates are recommending a front-loaded funding model—where more money is allocated at the start of the plan, regardless of whether a change is expected. Here’s why that matters:

• Not all periods are equal: Some quarters have more public holidays, which affects service availability and scheduling.
• School holidays aren’t evenly spread: For children, support needs often spike during school breaks, but these don’t fall neatly across funding periods.
• Funds for evidence gathering is key: Front-loading allows participants to be able to fund assessments and reports if needs change during the plan period.

Without this flexibility, participants risk falling behind or missing out on supports they genuinely need. Providers are urging the NDIA to rethink how budgets are structured—so plans reflect the real-world rhythms of life, not just a neat spreadsheet.

🗣 What Happens Next?
The government is still reviewing feedback on the new NDIS support rules, and consultations are ongoing. Disability advocates are calling for more flexibility, better co-design with the community, and clearer communication. The NDIA says it’s committed to working with people with disability to improve the scheme—but many say trust needs to be rebuilt.

If you’re an NDIS participant, provider, or carer, it’s a good time to check your plan, understand what’s changing, and speak up if something doesn’t feel right.