Updated October 2026: the Support Determination is now in effect

The funding reset began applying on 1 October 2026 under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (Support) Determination 2026. It reaches each plan through a plan event and not on one single date for everyone.

Sources: legislation.gov.au/F2026L01332  |  Department of Health and Ageing: NDIS funding changes fact sheet

Quick answer: the three dates at a glance

1 October 2026  — The reset starts applying to new plans and reassessed plans.

1 February 2027  — Plan renewals also begin triggering the reset.

30 September 2027  — Every remaining plan is brought forward and renewed. A long plan does not avoid the reset. The NDIA gives 60 days notice.

Many participants and families have heard that the NDIS funding reset started on 1 October 2026 and then heard a different date such as February 2027 or September 2027. All three dates are correct. They describe three different steps in one rollout and which one applies to a plan depends on what happens to that plan. This article sets out the three dates in plain language and shows with examples how a plan of any length is brought into the reset.

What does the NDIS funding reset reduce?

The Support Determination reduces two groups of funding in old framework plans. Funding for Assistance with Social, Economic and Community Participation is reduced by 50% and funding for Improved Daily Living Skills is reduced by 10%. These are reductions to specific groups of supports and not to the whole plan.

Some supports are excluded and are not reduced. Within participation funding the excluded groups are supports in employment and high intensity supports and intensive and complex behaviour supports. Within daily living skills funding the excluded groups are disability related health supports (which include nursing items), customised and wearable technology and hearing services. Each excluded group is defined by a list of support items in the Determination so what sits in a plan budget matters more than the diagnosis.

You can check the full list of excluded support items in the National Disability Insurance Scheme (Support) Determination 2026 on the Federal Register of Legislation.

When does the NDIS funding reset apply to my plan?

1 October 2026: new plans and reassessed plans

From this date the reset applies to an old framework plan that takes effect on or after 1 October 2026. The Determination states that this applies whether or not the reassessment that produced the plan began before that day. A new participant receives a first plan after access is granted. An existing participant receives a rebuilt plan after a plan reassessment which replaces the old plan entirely.

A reassessment has applied as a trigger since 1 October 2026 regardless of when the plan was due to renew. If you are unsure whether a reassessment is the right step for your situation you can check the NDIA’s guidelines at ourguidelines.ndis.gov.au or call the NDIA on 1800 800 110.

NDIS plan renewal reset 2027: what changes from 1 February 2027?

A renewal is a plan continuing into its next cycle without a full reassessment. The NDIA now uses the term plan renewal for what was previously called a plan continuation. From 1 February 2027 a renewal can bring the reset into the new plan. The Determination groups plans into subclasses and this shapes how the protected amount for excluded supports is found.

• Plans that started on or after 1 October 2026 (subclasses A and B): the NDIA looks at what it allocated to the excluded supports when it prepared the relevant plan.
• Renewals where the earlier plan started before 1 October 2026 (subclasses C and D): the NDIA also checks its records of payments made for the excluded supports during 2026 and whether the participant or nominee managed the funding during that year.

You can read the full detail in the Support Determination 2026. The NDIA’s own guidelines on plan renewals are at ourguidelines.ndis.gov.au.

What happens on 30 September 2027?

This date is not a separate cut. It is a deadline that prevents any plan from sitting outside the reset because of its length. Every participant who receives funding for the affected supports and has not already had a plan created or reassessed since 1 October 2026 will have the plan renewed by 30 September 2027.

• If the scheduled reassessment date is before 1 October 2027 that date becomes the renewal date.
• If the scheduled reassessment date is on or after 1 October 2027 the date is brought forward to a date on or before 30 September 2027.
• The NDIA contacts the participant 60 days before the renewal.

In practice a three year or four year or five year plan does not run to its natural end date once the backstop applies. The renewal moves forward and the reset applies to the renewed plan. You can check your plan end date and your scheduled reassessment date at any time through the NDIS myplace participant portal.

Examples: when will my plan be reset?

Example 1: a plan renewed in November 2026

Participant A has a two year plan that renewed in November 2026. That renewal happened before the renewal step begins on 1 February 2027 so it was not where the reset arrived. The plan would naturally end in November 2028. That date falls after 1 October 2027 so the NDIA brings it forward to a date on or before 30 September 2027. The reset then applies to the renewed plan. Participant A should receive notice 60 days beforehand.

Example 2: a four year plan that began in 2026

Participant B received a four year plan in August 2026 and would normally not renew until 2030. Without the backstop this plan would sit untouched for years. With it the renewal date is pulled forward to a date on or before 30 September 2027. Participant B has therefore roughly a year on the current plan and then moves to a renewed plan with the reset applied. The same applies to a three year or five year plan.

Example 3: a reassessment in January 2027

Participant C has a serious change in function and receives a reassessed plan in January 2027. A reassessment has been a trigger since 1 October 2026 so the reset applies to the new plan from the start. Participant C has already had a plan created since 1 October 2026 so the backstop does not catch the plan again.

What can I do before my plan is reset?

• Check your plan end date and your scheduled reassessment date in the NDIS myplace portal or ask the NDIA to confirm them by calling 1800 800 110.
• Review your budget breakdown and look at the support item names. The excluded groups are defined by items and not by general descriptions.
• Watch for the 60 day notice from the NDIA and keep a record of the date it arrives.
• Think carefully before asking for an earlier reassessment. A reassessment brings the reset into the new plan straight away so it should only be requested when needs have genuinely changed and not only to move a date.
• Seek independent advice from a lawyer or advocate about any specific plan or decision. The NDIS Independent Review can be reached via the NDIA website.

How can a Functional Capacity Assessment help with the funding reset?

A Functional Capacity Assessment does not change the timeline and a renewal does not need one. It becomes relevant because every plan will now pass through a renewal or reassessment by 30 September 2027 and the way a participant’s needs are described at that point matters more than before. The reset reduces specific groups of supports and leaves some supports excluded. A current and well evidenced assessment can show what support a participant actually needs and how often and why.

This is particularly relevant where a participant may have needs that fit an excluded group such as high intensity supports or intensive and complex behaviour supports. A diagnosis or a behaviour support plan alone does not show this. The assessment needs to describe the support required and the risks and the evidence behind it.

An assessment is also useful evidence for a reassessment request where there has been a significant and ongoing change. Because a reassessment brings the reset into the new plan straight away it is worth thinking carefully about timing and seeking advice.

Frequently asked questions

Does the funding reset apply to every NDIS plan?

It applies to old framework plans and reduces specific groups of supports. Some supports are excluded and the effect depends on what is funded in the plan.

Will a plan renewed in 2026 be reset straight away?

On the published timing renewals are caught from 1 February 2027. A plan renewed before then should confirm treatment with the NDIA.

Can a long plan avoid the reset?

No. A scheduled date on or after 1 October 2027 is brought forward to a date on or before 30 September 2027.

What is the difference between a renewal and a reassessment?

A renewal continues a plan into its next cycle. A reassessment rebuilds the plan after a significant and ongoing change. You can read more about reassessments and variations at ourguidelines.ndis.gov.au.

Where do I find the official rules?

The Support Determination 2026 is the primary legislative instrument and can be read in full at legislation.gov.au/F2026L01332. The NDIA’s own guidelines are at ourguidelines.ndis.gov.au.

Who can refer to Sina OT for a Functional Capacity Assessment?

Referrals are accepted from participants and families, support coordinators and legal representatives. Sina OT provides independent Functional Capacity Assessments across Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney. All assessments are completed in person in the participant’s home and community environment.

Official sources and further reading

NDIS Support Determination 2026 (full legislation): legislation.gov.au/F2026L01332

NDIA — Our Guidelines (plan reassessments and variations): ourguidelines.ndis.gov.au

NDIS — Understanding your plan: ndis.gov.au/participants/understanding-your-plan

NDIS — Plan reassessments: ndis.gov.au/participants/changing-your-plan/plan-reassessments

NDIS — Plan variations: ndis.gov.au/participants/changing-your-plan/plan-variations

Department of Health and Ageing — NDIS funding changes: health.gov.au/our-work/ndis-funding-changes

NDIS myplace participant portal: my.ndis.gov.au

Plan Reassessment Request Form (official NDIA form): ndis.gov.au — Plan Reassessment Request Form

Plan Variation Request Form (official NDIA form): ndis.gov.au — Plan Variation Request Form

Disclaimer

This article is provided for general information purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial or individualised clinical advice. It reflects the NDIS legislation and published guidance as at October 2026 and may not reflect later amendments or operational updates. The detail of the 30 September 2027 arrangements is taken from the Department of Health fact sheet and should be confirmed with the NDIA. Readers should confirm current requirements directly with the NDIA or at ourguidelines.ndis.gov.au and seek independent legal advice for matters relating to a specific plan or decision. Nothing in this article should be relied upon as a substitute for an individualised Functional Capacity Assessment conducted by an appropriately qualified Occupational Therapist.

Refer to Sina OT

Sina OT is an independent Occupational Therapy practice providing Functional Capacity Assessments across Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney. Services are available in English and Farsi (Persian).