The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is gearing up for one of its biggest changes yet: the introduction of the I-CAN assessment tool – short for Instrument for Classification and Assessment of Support Needs. From mid-2026, this tool will become the standard way to assess support needs for participants aged 16 and over.
What is the I-CAN Tool?
Developed by the Centre for Disability Studies and refined over 20 years, the I-CAN tool is designed to assess a person’s support needs across 12 life domains, including mobility, communication, self-care, and mental health. It’s strengths-based, meaning it focuses on what a person can do with the right supports, rather than just listing limitations.
Each domain is scored based on:
- Frequency of support (how often help is needed)
- Intensity of support (how complex or hands-on the help is)
The tool is already used in the Disability Support for Older Australians (DSOA) program, where it was used to help streamline assessments and reduce reliance on costly reports. This experience has informed its rollout under the NDIS, with the aim of creating a fairer, more consistent planning process.
Why the Change?
The NDIS Review highlighted major issues with the current system:
- Participants often need to pay for expensive reports from allied health professionals.
- Funding decisions can vary wildly depending on who’s assessing the plan.
- Many planners don’t have clinical training and may not read reports thoroughly.
The I-CAN tool aims to fix this by:
- Reducing the need for multiple reports.
- Making assessments more consistent and transparent.
- Shifting the focus to actual support needs, not just diagnoses.
Concerns from the Disability Community
While the intentions are good, many in the community are cautious – and rightly so.
- Who’s Doing the Assessments?
The tool is meant to be used by trained professionals, but recent updates have expanded eligibility to include Behaviour Support Practitioners, a role that isn’t regulated or protected by law. This raises questions about the quality and consistency of assessments.
- Can Complexity Be Captured in a Checklist?
For people with complex or fluctuating needs, a one-off assessment may not reflect their reality. There’s concern that the I-CAN could oversimplify situations that require nuanced understanding – especially for those with psychosocial disabilities or communication challenges.
- Transparency and Trust
Participants want to know how their scores translate into funding. If the NDIA uses algorithms or hidden formulas to determine budgets, it could feel like decisions are being made behind closed doors.
- Cultural and Trauma Sensitivity
There are worries about how the tool will accommodate First Nations participants and those from culturally diverse backgrounds. Will assessors be trained in trauma-informed practice? Will the tool respect different ways of understanding health and wellbeing?
Final Thoughts
The I-CAN tool has the potential to make the NDIS more fair, consistent, and accessible – but only if it’s implemented with care. That means:
- Qualified assessors with lived experience and clinical training.
- Transparent processes that participants can understand and challenge.
- Ongoing consultation with the disability community to refine the tool.
At Lion and Mouse, we believe in person-centred planning and inclusive practice. We’ll be watching closely as the I-CAN rollout begins – and advocating to make sure it works for participants, not against them.