The NDIS is about to undergo its most significant changes since it was first introduced.

From mid-2026 onward, the way support needs are assessed, plans are built, and funding decisions are made will begin to shift. These changes will not happen all at once – they will roll out gradually over several years – but they will fundamentally reshape how the system works.

At Lion and Mouse, we work alongside participants, families and providers every day. We are also actively engaging with government through formal submissions and policy discussions.

This article brings those two perspectives together:

• what the reforms are trying to do
• what we are seeing in practice
• and what this means for you

Why the NDIS Is Changing

The Government has been clear about its objectives:

• improve consistency in planning
• reduce reliance on expensive reports
• increase transparency
• slow the growth of Scheme costs

On paper, these are reasonable goals.

But as we’ve said directly to government:

The issue is not whether reform is needed – it’s whether the system is ready to deliver it.

Because changing how decisions are made does not change people’s underlying needs.

The Biggest Shift: From Reports to Assessments

Historically, many NDIS plans have been built around professional reports, particularly Functional Capacity Assessments (FCAs).

The system is now moving toward:

• structured assessment tools (like I CAN)
• guided interviews
• less reliance on external reports

This is meant to:

• make the process more consistent
• reduce costs
• simplify access

On paper, there are genuine benefits here. But there are also very real risks that need to be understood.

The Core Issue: Your Needs Don’t Disappear – They Move

One of the key points we raised in our submissions is this:

NDIS reforms don’t remove demand – they redistribute it.

Our two submissions are found here: NDIA-Ammendment 2026 and Strengthening Integrity

If supports are reduced or harder to access:

• the need doesn’t go away
• it shows up somewhere else

In practice, that usually means:

• families doing more unpaid care
• schools managing unsupported behavioural needs
• health services stepping in during crises

We are already seeing this.

And if reforms are introduced before alternative supports (like “Foundational Supports”) are properly in place, that pressure will increase significantly.

⚠️ A Critical Risk: Broad Powers to Reduce Supports

Alongside changes to assessments and planning, there is another part of the reform that has received far less attention – but may have the greatest impact in practice.

The proposed legislation introduces very broad powers that would allow the Minister to reduce funding across categories of NDIS supports.

This is not limited to specific areas like community participation or capacity building.

Instead, the drafting allows for any support category to be reduced through Ministerial determination, without clear statutory limits or strong safeguards.

This creates real uncertainty.

In practical terms, it means:

• reductions could apply across entire groups of supports
• changes could occur without reassessing each individual situation
• there may be limited opportunities to challenge those reductions

There is also no clear requirement that alternative supports be in place before reductions occur.

⚖️ A Fundamental Issue: Supports Should Be Based on Need – Not Policy Settings

At its core, this raises a simple but critical principle:

Supports should be determined by clinical evidence and real-world need – not by broad administrative decisions.

The NDIS was designed around individualised support:

• based on functional capacity
• informed by clinical and lived evidence
• tailored to the person

The introduction of broad powers to reduce supports shifts that balance.

Instead of individual need driving funding there is a risk that system-level decisions drive outcomes.

Why this matters in real life

For many people, NDIS supports are not optional.

They are what allow someone to:

• maintain safety at home
• participate in education or work
• manage behaviour and emotional regulation
• function day-to-day

These needs do not reduce simply because funding rules change.

If supports are reduced without being tied to individual evidence, the consequences are predictable:

• people may receive less support than they require
• families take on more responsibility
• risks increase
• demand shifts into crisis services

The risk of one-size-fits-all decisions

Standardisation can improve consistency — but it can also oversimplify.

A single decision applied across thousands of participants cannot capture:

• complexity
• fluctuation
• risk
• individual circumstance

This is particularly important for people:

• with high support needs
• with complex or changing conditions
• whose safety depends on consistent support

Where we stand

At Lion and Mouse, we are clear on this:

Support levels must be determined by clinical evidence – not by the flick of a pen.

We understand the need for sustainability, and a very supportive of actions that reduce or eliminate fruad.

But sustainability cannot come at the expense of:

• safety
• fairness
• and individualised support

Why awareness matters

This is not just a technical issue. It has real-world consequences for participants and families.

Understanding these proposed powers matters because:

• they shape how future decisions may be made
• they influence what safeguards are needed
• and they determine how people can respond

It is entirely reasonable for participants and families to:

• ask questions
• seek clarity
• raise concerns
• speak with local representatives
• and advocate for fair and evidence-based decision making

The Reality of Assessments: Why Preparation Matters

At the same time, the move toward tools like I CAN changes how needs are understood.

These tools rely heavily on:

• conversation
• self-reporting
• and how daily life is described

In practice, many people:

• minimise their needs
• describe themselves as “coping”
• leave out the most difficult parts of their day

This creates a real risk that:

support needs are underestimated – and funding follows that outcome

 

Independent Review Still Matters

No assessment system is perfect. That’s why independent oversight – particularly through the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART) – remains critical.

The ART allows:

• decisions to be reviewed independently
• clinical evidence to be properly considered
• plans to be adjusted when they don’t reflect reality

As the system becomes more structured and standardised, this safeguard becomes even more important.

What We Told Government

In our formal submissions, we’ve been clear about what needs to happen:

• reforms must be properly sequenced (supports before reductions)
• real-world functional evidence must be included
• system-wide cuts cannot replace individualised decisions
• independent review rights must be preserved
• the delivery system must be capable of supporting change

We are not opposing reform, and we remain committed to working with Government to safely make the NDIS sustainable for future generations.

We are focused on making sure it works in practice – for the people it is designed to support.

What This Means for You

The key takeaway is this:

Nothing changes overnight – but how you engage with the system will matter more than ever.

Going forward:

• how you describe your day-to-day life matters
• how clearly your support needs are communicated matters
• preparation matters

✅ What You Can Do Now

You don’t need to wait.

Start with simple steps:

• keep notes about your daily experience
• be honest about fatigue, supervision, and risk
• don’t downplay what you manage
• involve someone who understands your situation

These small things can make a significant difference.

🧭 Our Role

These changes are complex – and at times, concerning. But you are not navigating them alone.

At Lion and Mouse, we are:

• working with you day to day
• raising issues directly with government
• advocating for safe and fair implementation
• supporting you through planning and reviews

We see both sides:

• how policy is being designed
• and how it actually works in practice

Final Thoughts

The NDIS is changing.

Some changes may improve consistency. Others introduce real risks – particularly if they are implemented without the right safeguards.

The most important thing to remember is this:

Your needs, your rights, and your entitlement to appropriate support do not disappear just because the system is changing.

Understanding the system – and how to engage with it – is becoming more important, not less.

If You Have Questions

If you’re unsure about what these changes mean for you, or want to talk through your situation, we’re here.

Reach out to Lion and Mouse anytime.