The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is undergoing important transformations in 2025. These shifts matter for participants, their families, and providers alike. This article demystifies the major changes — what is changing, why it matters, who is affected, and when. We’ll also look at what remains stable and suggest how you can stay ahead.
If you are interested in applying for NDIS in 2025, this is a must-read for you.
What’s Changing: The Big Picture
Support lists made clearer
From 3 October 2024, the NDIS introduced formal support lists: what can be funded, what cannot, and in certain cases, what supports can be replaced under specific rules. This change means your plan now shows total budgets, funding components, and defined funding periods.
Pricing updates (2025–26)
Effective from 1 July 2025, the new Pricing Arrangements & Price Limits (PAPL) come into force. Key highlights include: the early childhood approach now covers children up to 9 years (instead of 7).
New plan structure: funding periods & components
As of 19 May 2025 (for new or reassessed plans), your funding will likely be released in smaller instalments (e.g., quarterly) rather than all at once. Also, plans now emphasise “funding components” (Core, Capacity-Building, Capital) and clearly show how much is available in each component and when.
Emerging pathways: foundational supports & “Thriving Kids”
The scheme is also preparing to introduce “foundational supports” — a tier of community-based early help outside the NDIS for people with milder needs. It’s slated to phase in from 2025.
Linked to this is the Thriving Kids initiative, aimed at children ≤8 years with mild to moderate developmental delay/autism, expected to begin 1 July 2026.
Integrity, identity and assessment changes
Providers will transition from older verification systems (PRODA) to newer digital identity modules (like myID + RAM) through 2025, strengthening participant data protection and reducing fraud risk.
New tool for fairer evaluation of participants
A new assessment tool, I‑CAN v6, is being developed for roll-out mid-2026, designed to focus more on support needs rather than just diagnoses.
What These Changes Mean for Participants and Providers
For participants – more structure, more clarity
- You’ll see your plan budget divided into components and funding periods. That means you won’t receive your full funding upfront (for new or reassessed plans). Instead, funds will be released in segments.
- Because supports that can or cannot be funded are now clearer, you’ll face fewer “grey-area” moments. If an item is not on the funded list, you may be declined.
- If you’re working with providers, you’ll need to align services and invoices with the funding periods and components. Providers will also adjust their timing.
For providers – adapt or get left behind
- Providers must be acutely aware of the new PAPL. If your quote exceeds the revised limits, participants or plan-managers may challenge it.
- You’ll need to demonstrate a transparent declaration of conflicts of interest.
- Timing of your service delivery and invoicing must match the funding periods of the participant’s plan. If funds aren’t released yet for that period, claims may be delayed.
- Providers need to keep current with identity, verification and assessment processes. For example, the shift to myID + RAM and the new assessment pathway may change how eligibility and planning work.
Who Is Affected and When?
- New participants entering the scheme after these changes will be subject to the new support lists, plan structures, funding periods, pricing limits and eligibility frameworks.
- Providers across the board must adjust their practices, quotes and delivery to fit the new environment.
- Young children (≤9 yrs) with early intervention needs will particularly experience changes in eligibility for early childhood supports, and may be eligible for the Thriving Kids pathway.
- Families and carers will likewise need to engage in planning, understand new budgets, and possibly adjust service arrangements.
What Has Not Changed
It’s vital to note what remains stable, so you aren’t misled by the upheaval.
- Eligibility criteria: Despite many reforms, the rules about who can access the NDIS remain unchanged. You still must have a permanent and significant disability (or meet early intervention requirements) for scheme access.
- The core purpose of the scheme remains: to provide reasonable and necessary supports to enable participation, independence and quality of life.
- The basic budget components (Core, Capacity Building, Capital) continue to form the structure of plan funding, although now with added clarity on periods and component breakdowns.
Practical Steps for Participants & Families
1. Review your next plan carefully. Check how the funding periods are laid out and ask your planner what the release schedule is (monthly, quarterly, etc.).
2. Before purchasing supports, check whether the item or service appears on the funded support list for your plan. If you’re unsure, ask your provider to reference the support code/description.
3. If you have a young child with developmental needs, stay informed about the foundational supports or Thriving Kids program.
4. Stay organised with copies of reports, goals, service agreements and invoices. With new assessment processes coming, having clear functional evidence will help.
5. Protect your data and be scam-aware: only share your plan ID, portal login, and personal information with trusted providers; check that your plan release schedule is correct.
Final Thoughts
The NDIS changes in 2025 represent a shift from big broad strokes to crisper detail: clearer lists, tighter funding releases, structured components and smarter pricing. For participants this means more clarity but also more responsibility to stay informed and plan thoughtfully.
Remember: the eligibility criteria and your fundamental rights haven’t changed. What’s changing is how supports are funded and delivered. If you’d like more information on these updates, feel free to reach out to our team at Hosanna Care Support.