Moving With the Times: Recent NDIS Changes and What They Mean for You

The NDIS is going through its biggest shake-up since it began, and the past few months have brought changes that affect how plans are built, how supports are funded, and how providers like us work. At Daffodil Therapy Care, we see this as an opportunity, not a hurdle. Here's what's changed — and how we're moving with the times to keep your care steady through it all.

New Framework Planning has begun

From 1 July 2026, the NDIS started rolling out New Framework Planning — what they say is a fairer, more consistent way of building plans. Instead of focusing on what you can't do, the new approach centres on a Support Needs Assessment. We are told this will be a structured, human conversation about your daily life and the disability-related supports you actually need. We are yet to see what this will look like in practice, but what won't change is how we advocate and fight for a fair and usable NDIS plan for our clients.

The NDIA tell us that the changes will bring more flexible budgets and longer plan periods, which means fewer scheduled reviews and more certainty to simply get on with life. The rollout starts with participants over 18 with less complex needs, and expands gradually over the next few years. We are committed to monitoring these changes and informing the participants we work with as the changes come in to effect.

Pricing has been updated

The 2026-27 NDIS Pricing Schedule also took effect from 1 July 2026. For therapy, the biggest shift is that activities are now split into clearer line items — direct service, non-face-to-face work, telehealth, reports, and provider travel are each priced separately. Travel is now charged at 50% of the hourly rate, which lowers the cost of home and school visits against your plan. We tend to encourage in clinic visits for participants we work with, to save on travel charges, instead spending that money on the therapy sessions.

Stronger rules, tighter compliance

Behind the scenes, the Securing the NDIS for Future Generations Bill 2026 introduced tougher compliance measures, new penalties, and stricter record-keeping. For participants, this is reassuring: it's designed to protect the scheme and make sure funding reaches the people it's meant for.

How we're moving with the times

Change can feel unsettling, so our commitment to you is simple:- We'll keep you informed —

Plain English updates on what each change means for your plan, no jargon.

We're adapting our systems — updating our service agreements and record-keeping to match the new pricing and compliance rules, so nothing disrupts your supports.

We'll support your assessment — if you're moving to New Framework Planning, we can help you prepare for your Support Needs Assessment and speak to your goals.

We're staying flexible — more flexible budgets mean we can tailor our therapy around what matters most to you.

The real picture

Not every change lands perfectly. The reduced travel rate means some providers may scale back home visits, and the new planning process will take time to bed in. The NDIS is evolving. We're evolving with it, so your care stays consistent, professional, and focused on you.

Have questions about how these NDIS changes affect your plan? Get in touch with the Daffodil Therapy Care team — we're happy to talk it through.

This blog is general information current as at July 2026 and isn't a substitute for advice from the NDIA or your planner.