NDIS funding changes
Changes to NDIS funding can leave participants and families wondering what happens next. Will your current support continue? Could your next plan provide a different budget? And how can you prepare without compromising the support you rely on?
From 1 October 2026, the NDIS began introducing reductions to some budgets for social, economic and community participation and improved daily living skills. The changes will be introduced progressively as plans are created, reassessed or renewed. Not every participant will be affected in the same way, and the changes do not apply to every type of support. Read the official NDIS announcement about the October support budget changes.
For participants and families in Rockingham, Mandurah, Kwinana and Fremantle, understanding what is changing is an important first step towards planning for continued support.
1. Check Which Parts of Your NDIS Plan May Change
The October changes focus on two support categories:
- Social, Economic and Community Participation
- Improved Daily Living Skills
The funding changes will be applied as plans are created or reassessed from 1 October 2026, or renewed from 1 February 2027. The impact will depend on each participant’s plan and circumstances.
Do not assume your entire NDIS budget is being reduced. Review your plan and identify which support categories you use, how much funding is allocated to them and when your plan is due for reassessment or renewal.
If you need help understanding your support arrangements, explore our NDIS support coordination services in Western Australia.
2. Understand Which Essential Supports Are Protected
One of the biggest concerns for participants and families is whether essential daily assistance will be affected.
According to the NDIS, these particular changes will not affect essential day-to-day assistance such as help with eating, drinking, dressing, toileting, laundry and cleaning, as well as nursing care and medication support. Certain other supports within the affected categories are also excluded.
This distinction matters. Your individual circumstances and the specific supports in your plan determine how the changes apply. Check the official NDIS guidance rather than relying on rumours or assumptions.
For participants who need disability-related nursing assistance at home, Nurse Assist 24/7 offers NDIS nursing services, subject to individual needs, eligibility and plan arrangements.
3. Review Your Current Support Needs
Your NDIS plan should reflect your disability-related needs, daily activities and personal goals.
Consider whether anything has changed since your last plan was prepared. For example:
- Do you need more assistance with daily living?
- Have your living arrangements changed?
- Has the support available from family or informal carers changed?
- Have your education or employment circumstances changed?
- Are there important daily activities you can no longer manage independently?
The NDIS says participants can request a plan change, including reassessment or variation, where there is a significant and ongoing change in circumstances or support needs. A budget reduction alone does not automatically qualify as such a change.
If your circumstances have changed, document the practical impact and ask your support coordinator or the NDIA about the appropriate next step.
4. Talk to Your Support Team Before Making Decisions
It can be tempting to cancel services or reduce assistance immediately when you hear about funding changes. But making decisions without understanding your individual plan could leave you without support you still need.
Start by reviewing your plan, identifying your priorities and discussing any concerns with the relevant people involved in your support.
Depending on your circumstances, this may include your support coordinator, current providers and the NDIA. Ask what your plan covers, whether a particular support is affected and what options are available if your needs have changed.
At Nurse Assist 24/7, we understand the importance of support that responds to a person’s individual needs, routines and goals. Our disability support services can help eligible participants access assistance in line with their plans and agreed service arrangements.
5. Choose Support That Puts Your Needs First
Good disability support is about more than filling hours on a roster. It should respect your preferences, promote independence where possible and help you participate in everyday life.
When discussing services with a provider, consider:
- Whether the service matches your assessed support needs and goals.
- Whether staff understand your preferences and daily routines.
- Whether communication with you and your family is clear.
- Whether the provider can explain its services and service agreement.
- Whether the proposed arrangements fit within your available funding.
Understanding your options can help you make informed decisions instead of reacting to uncertainty.
If you are looking for a provider in the local area, learn more about Nurse Assist 24/7 and our disability support services in Fremantle and Kwinana.
How Nurse Assist 24/7 Can Support Participants and Families
If you or a loved one needs disability support in Rockingham, Mandurah, Kwinana or Fremantle, Nurse Assist 24/7 provides services including daily living and personal care, in-home nursing, support coordination, community participation, skill development and supported accommodation services, subject to individual eligibility and arrangements.
We encourage participants and families to ask questions, understand their support options and make decisions based on their individual needs—not assumptions about funding changes.
Concerned about your current support arrangements?
Contact Nurse Assist 24/7 on 08 9545 6010 to discuss your support needs and learn more about our services.
Visit Nurse Assist 24/7 to explore our services and find out how we may be able to help.
This article provides general information, not individual NDIS funding advice. Check the latest official NDIS guidance and seek advice about your own plan and circumstances.