From 1 October 2026, some NDIS support budgets will be reduced over the coming 12 months. The changes will affect the Social, Economic and Community Participation and Improved Daily Living Skills support categories as participants’ plans are reassessed or new plans are approved. Renewed plans will have the changes applied from 1 February 2027. The impact will be different for each participant because NDIS plans are based on individual goals, circumstances and support needs. The changes also do not affect every support within these categories. Several essential, specialised and other supports are excluded from the reductions.
What Are the NDIS Support Budget Changes From October 2026?
The Australian Government has introduced changes to NDIS laws that include reductions to some participant support budgets. From 1 October 2026, the changes will progressively apply to two support categories:
- Social, Economic and Community Participation
- Improved Daily Living Skills
The reductions will apply when a participant’s plan is newly approved or reassessed from 1 October 2026. For renewed plans, the changes will apply from 1 February 2027. The NDIS has stated that the impact will vary between participants because individual plans are based on personal goals, circumstances and support needs.
For the latest details, participants can review the official NDIS support budget changes information.
When Will the NDIS Budget Changes Apply?
The timing of the NDIS support budget changes depends on what happens with your plan. The changes will not apply to every participant at the same time.
From 1 October 2026
The budget changes will apply when:
- A new NDIS plan is approved
- An existing plan is reassessed
From 1 February 2027
The changes will apply to plans that are renewed.
This means participants will experience the changes at different times, depending on when their plan is created, reassessed or renewed.
For more information, participants can review when NDIS budget changes apply on the official NDIS website.
Which NDIS Support Budgets Are Affected?
The NDIS support budget changes from October 2026 affect specific support categories rather than all NDIS funding. Two categories are included in the announced changes: Social, Economic and Community Participation and Improved Daily Living Skills.
Social, Economic and Community Participation
This support category can help participants access activities, develop social connections and participate more actively in their communities. It may include support for:
- Community activities
- Social groups
- Recreational activities
- Community access
- Developing social skills
- Building independence
- Connecting with other people
The budget for this category is one of the areas affected by the changes announced from October 2026.
Improved Daily Living Skills
Improved Daily Living is another support category affected by the announced budget changes. It can include supports that help participants build living skills, increase independence and become more involved in their communities.
Examples include:
- Building everyday living skills
- Developing independence
- Improving functional skills
- Communication
- Occupational therapy
- Other eligible capacity-building supports
The amount of funding available will depend on the participant’s individual plan and circumstances.
Which NDIS Supports Are Not Affected by These Budget Reductions?
The announced changes do not mean that all NDIS funding will be reduced. The NDIS has identified a range of supports that will not be affected by these particular budget reductions.
These include:
- Eating and drinking
- Dressing
- Toileting
- Laundry
- Cleaning
- Nursing care
- Medication
- Personal mobility equipment
- Home and vehicle modifications
- Specialist Disability Accommodation
The NDIS has also stated that some employment, disability-related health, high-intensity, and intensive or complex behaviour supports will not be affected. A full list of supports not affected is expected to be published by the NDIS.
Will Everyone’s NDIS Funding Be Reduced?
No. The announced changes do not mean every participant will receive the same reduction. The NDIS has stated that the impact will vary depending on each participant’s individual goals, circumstances and support needs.
The reductions apply specifically to the identified support categories. Other support categories are not affected by these particular budget reductions. Participants should therefore review their own NDIS plan rather than assume the same changes will apply to everyone.
What Do the Changes Mean for Community Participation?
Participants who use NDIS funding for community participation should pay particular attention when their plan is reassessed or renewed. The Social, Economic and Community Participation category is one of the areas affected by the new budget changes.
Community participation support may help participants:
- Attend community activities
- Take part in recreational activities
- Develop social connections
- Access local facilities
- Build confidence and independence
- Participate in activities that match their interests
The actual impact will depend on each participant’s individual plan and circumstances. The changes do not mean that community participation support is automatically removed.
What Do the Changes Mean for Daily Living and Life Skills Support?
Improved Daily Living Skills is another support category affected by the announced budget reductions. This category can include NDIS supports designed to build living skills, independence and participation in the community. It is important to distinguish these capacity-building supports from essential day-to-day assistance. The NDIS has specifically stated that supports such as cleaning, laundry, personal care, nursing care and medication are not affected by these particular budget reductions. This distinction is important for participants who receive both capacity-building support and day-to-day assistance.
What Should NDIS Participants Do Before Their Next Plan?
Preparing ahead of your next NDIS plan can help you understand how the changes may relate to your current supports and individual circumstances.
- Review your current supports
Understand the supports you use and how they help with your everyday needs and NDIS goals. - Understand your NDIS goals
Your goals help explain what you are working towards through your NDIS plan. - Keep track of changes in your circumstances
Changes to your functional capacity, living arrangements, education, employment or informal supports may be relevant when requesting a plan reassessment. - Keep relevant information and evidence
Keep information that explains your disability-related support needs and any significant changes in your circumstances. - Talk to your support team
Your provider can help you understand your current services and how they support your needs, although providers do not decide how much NDIS funding you receive. - Check the latest NDIS information
Because the reforms are being introduced progressively, check the latest NDIS information when preparing for your next plan.
Can Participants Request Changes to Their NDIS Plan?
Yes. Participants can still request changes to their NDIS plan when their circumstances or support needs have significantly and ongoingly changed. This can include requesting a plan reassessment or plan variation. The NDIS has also introduced a specific pathway for some participants with high support needs where a budget reduction could put their wellbeing and safety at risk.
Participants can find more information about requesting a plan reassessment through the official NDIS guidance.
How Elmur Community Services Can Support Participants?
Elmur Community Services provides personalised disability support based on participants’ individual needs, preferences and NDIS goals. Our services include:
- Daily Living Support
- Community Participation
- Personal Care
- Supported Independent Living
- Short and Medium Term Accommodation
- Community Nursing
If your NDIS plan or circumstances are changing, our team can discuss your current support needs and explain how Elmur’s services may fit within your plan.
Frequently Asked Questions About the NDIS Support Budget Changes
The NDIS support budget changes can raise questions about which budgets are affected, when the changes apply and what participants can expect. Here are some common questions.
1. What NDIS budgets are changing from October 2026?
The NDIS has announced reductions to budgets for Social, Economic and Community Participation and Improved Daily Living Skills. The changes apply progressively as plans are created or reassessed from 1 October 2026 and renewed from 1 February 2027.
2. Will everyone’s NDIS funding be reduced?
No. The impact will vary depending on each participant’s individual plan, goals, circumstances and support needs.
3. Are NDIS personal care and cleaning supports affected?
The NDIS has specifically stated that essential day-to-day supports including eating and drinking, dressing, toileting, laundry, cleaning, nursing care and medication are not affected by these particular budget reductions.
4. Are NDIS community participation supports affected?
The Social, Economic and Community Participation support budget is one of the categories affected by the announced changes. The impact on an individual participant will depend on their plan and support needs.
5. When will the NDIS budget changes apply to my plan?
The changes apply to new and reassessed plans from 1 October 2026 and renewed plans from 1 February 2027.
Need Help Understanding Your NDIS Supports?
NDIS budget changes can be difficult to understand, particularly when different support categories are affected in different ways. If you are an NDIS participant in Perth or surrounding areas and would like to discuss your current support needs, Elmur Community Services can help you understand the services that may fit within your plan.
Email: info@elmur.com.au
Phone : (08) 6558 8814
Website : Elmur Community Services
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