NDIS Plan Reassessment Changes 2026 to 2027

What is an NDIS plan reassessment?

A plan reassessment is when the NDIA replaces your current plan with a new plan and a new end date. It happens at your scheduled reassessment date, or earlier if you ask for it and the NDIA agrees, or if the NDIA decides it is needed.

People often say “plan review” for three different things. They are not the same:

• Plan reassessment: a whole new plan, for a significant and ongoing change.
• Plan variation: a change to part of your current plan, for urgent, short-term or minor needs.
• Review of a decision: asking the NDIA to look again at a decision it has made.

Using the right words on your request helps the NDIA see what you are asking for. The rest of this guide shows you which one to choose.

Who can ask for an early plan reassessment now?

Only the participant, a plan nominee, a child representative or a legal guardian can request an early reassessment. A support coordinator, provider or family member can help you prepare it, but the NDIA will not accept the request from them.

The NDIA can also start a reassessment itself, for example when there is a safety risk, a new impairment, new information, or five years have passed since the last reassessment. A plan cannot be reassessed while it is suspended.

What has not changed?

Your scheduled reassessment still happens at your plan's reassessment date, plan variations are still there for urgent, short-term and minor needs, and your right to ask for a review of a decision stays.

If you are not sure which pathway fits, ask your my NDIS contact or your support coordinator before you lodge anything. The NDIS Contact Centre is on 1800 800 110.

Is “change of circumstances” still the right term?

Many people still search for “change of circumstances”, but the NDIA now describes a significant and ongoing change that needs either a plan reassessment or a plan variation. Use the NDIA's words on your request so it is clear what you are asking for.

The NDIA's page on changing your plan talks about a significant change in your life. It does not use the phrase “change of circumstances”, so do not worry if you cannot find that exact term on a form.

What counts as a significant and ongoing change?

A change counts when it is significant (you now need more NDIS supports), ongoing (it is likely to continue) and linked to your disability. It must be a change in your functional capacity, or in your living arrangements, education or work, or informal supports.

The four kinds of change the NDIA looks at

• Functional capacity: your condition has progressed, you have a new impairment, or you have lost skills you used to have.
• Living arrangements: you are leaving hospital, moving to a new home or changing who you live with. The NDIA generally expects the change to last more than a year.
• Education or work: you are starting or leaving school, study or a job, with confirmed arrangements and a start date.
• Informal supports: your main carer can no longer help, there is a relationship breakdown, carer burnout or a risk of harm.

What does not usually count?

Temporary changes that are expected to return to normal, small changes, and needs that other services should meet usually do not lead to a reassessment. A plan variation or another service is often the better path.

Not sure if your change is temporary? Ask your treating professional how long they expect it to last. Put their answer in your evidence.

What do real examples look like?

Here are three examples written to show the difference. They are our illustrations, not NDIA decisions.

What evidence does the NDIA ask for?

The NDIA asks for a completed request form and recent evidence from an appropriately qualified professional. Evidence should generally be dated within 4 months of your request and after your current plan was approved.

Your evidence needs to show how the change affects your daily activities and how your needs are expected to change over time. If the change is in your functional capacity, the evidence must come from a treating professional. The NDIA cannot decide without the required evidence. If something is missing, it will tell you what.

What should a good report say?

A useful report says what has changed, when it changed, how it affects daily activities, what supports are needed and how the need is expected to change.

Ask the professional to cover these areas where they apply to you:

• Communication
• Social interaction
• Learning
• Mobility
• Self-care
• Self-management

A diagnosis alone is not enough. The report should link the change to your disability and explain the practical supports you need, with reasons.

What is the evidence checklist for each type of change?

Match your evidence to the kind of change you are reporting.

Functional capacity

• Report from a treating professional (GP, allied health, psychologist or behaviour support practitioner)
• How daily activities are affected
• Expected path: improve, stay the same or decline

Living arrangements

• Evidence the change is significant and likely to last, generally more than a year
• How your support needs are different now
• Tenancy, discharge or placement paperwork

Education or work

• Confirmation from the school, college or employer
• Start date and hours
• The NDIS supports you will need

Informal supports

• What has changed, for example a carer's health or a relationship breakdown
• Evidence of the gap in support or risk of harm
• A statement from the carer, if they are willing

Who can write my evidence?

The NDIA lists appropriately qualified professionals such as a GP, an allied health professional, a psychologist or a behaviour support practitioner.

Support worker notes, diaries and daily logs can add useful context. They do not replace a report from a qualified professional. Book the appointment early, because reports can take weeks and old reports may fall outside the 4 month window.

Which request do I need: reassessment, variation or review?

Choose a plan reassessment for a significant and ongoing change, a plan variation for urgent, short-term or minor changes, and a review of a decision if you disagree with something the NDIA has already decided.

If you only want to change your contact details, ask the NDIS directly. You do not need a reassessment for that.

How do I request a plan reassessment?

Complete the NDIA's plan reassessment request form, attach your evidence and send it through the NDIS service hub, by post or in person. The NDIA aims to decide within 90 days of a valid request.

1. Talk to your my NDIS contact or support coordinator. They can tell you if you need a reassessment or if your current plan can be used more flexibly.
2. Fill in the Plan reassessment request form from the NDIS website. Describe each change, the date it happened and how it affects your daily life.
3. Attach your evidence, or say on the form why you cannot yet.
4. Send it: submit an enquiry through the NDIS service hub, post it to NDIA, GPO Box 700, Canberra ACT 2601, or hand it to a local area coordinator, early childhood partner or an NDIS office.
5. Keep a copy and note the date you sent it.
6. Wait for the decision. The NDIA tells you in writing. If it approves, the new plan is sent within 7 days and a plan meeting is booked.

The NDIA has more detail on its page, how to prepare for a plan reassessment.

What if the NDIA does not reply within 90 days?

If the NDIA does not decide within 90 days of a valid request, the request is treated as declined and goes to internal review automatically.

If the NDIA says your request is not valid, it must explain what is missing. Fix that and send it again. Keep a record of every date.

How do I ask for a review if the NDIA says no?

Ask for an internal review within 3 months of receiving the decision. If you still disagree after that, you can apply to the Administrative Review Tribunal within 28 days of the internal review finishing.

• Ring 1800 800 110, send an enquiry through the service hub, write to the Chief Executive Officer, NDIA, GPO Box 700, Canberra ACT 2601, visit an office, or send the Request for a Review of a Decision form.
• Say what you expected, why you think the decision should be different and attach any new evidence.
• If the NDIA asks for more documents, you have up to 28 days to send them.
• The NDIA aims to finish internal reviews within 60 days.

Some decisions, such as budget reductions, are not reviewable, so ask the NDIA to confirm what can be reviewed. Free help is available from the Disability Gateway on 1800 643 787. The NDIA explains the steps on its page, how to request a review of a decision.

What are the key dates?

The main dates are 27 August 2026 for tighter early reassessments, 1 October 2026 for budget resets as plans are reassessed or renewed, and 1 February 2027 when plan renewal replaces plan continuation.

Government timelines can change. Check the NDIS website before you act on any date.

Should I wait before asking for a reassessment?

No. If your need is real and ongoing, ask once you have your evidence. A reassessment creates a new plan, so budget changes in force when it starts can apply to it. Talk to your support coordinator or the NDIA first so you know what to expect.

If your needs are urgent or your safety is at risk, tell the NDIA straight away. Ask about a plan variation for urgent short-term support while your reassessment is considered.

What should I check before I lodge?

Run through this list so your request is valid the first time.

• I am the participant, nominee, child representative or legal guardian (or I am sending it through them)
• I have used the current NDIA plan reassessment request form
• I have described each change, the date it happened and how it affects my daily life
• My evidence comes from a qualified professional and is dated within 4 months
• My evidence was written after my current plan was approved
• I have said what supports I need and why
• I have kept a copy and noted the date I sent it
• I know my review rights if the answer is no