Can the NDIS Suspend Your Plan If You Don’t Respond to Its Requests?

NDIS Plan Suspension 2026: What Happens If the NDIA Cannot Contact You?

The NDIS introduced a new plan suspension rule from 1 October 2026 that allows the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) to suspend a participant’s plan if it cannot contact them to request information or reports. The change is part of the Australian Government’s broader NDIS reforms and is intended to help the Agency obtain information needed to manage participant plans and make relevant decisions. However, a plan cannot be suspended simply because a participant misses one phone call or does not immediately respond to a message.

Before suspending a plan under this rule, the NDIA must make reasonable attempts to contact the participant or the relevant authorised representative. This generally means making at least five contact attempts using the person’s preferred contact method, with the final attempt taking place between three and four months after the first. For participants and families, understanding this change is important because a plan suspension can affect access to NDIS-funded supports. The plan remains in effect, but its statement of participant supports is suspended, which generally means funding cannot be used for supports provided during the suspension period.

In this guide, we explain the new NDIS plan suspension rule, how many times the NDIA must attempt to make contact, what happens to funding during suspension, how participants can respond and what steps families can take to avoid communication problems with the NDIA.

What Is the New NDIS Plan Suspension Rule?

From 1 October 2026, the NDIA can suspend a participant’s plan if it needs information or reports but cannot contact the participant despite making the required attempts.

The rule was introduced under the National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Act 2026. It gives the Agency a way to respond when it cannot obtain information needed for relevant plan-related decisions.

Before considering suspension, the NDIA must follow specific contact requirements. These include:

• Making At Least Five Contact Attempts Using the Person’s Preferred Contact Method.
• Following the Required Timeframes Between the First and Final Attempts.
• Making An Additional Written Contact Attempt When The Preferred Method Is Not Writing.
• Contacting The Participant Or Their Relevant Nominee Or Authorised Representative.

Importantly, this does not mean every missed call, unanswered email or delayed response will result in a suspended plan. The NDIA must follow the required process and provide written notice if it decides to suspend a participant’s plan.

You can read more about the new NDIS plan suspension rules and the National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment Act 2026 for the official details.

When Can the NDIA Suspend an NDIS Plan?

The NDIA can consider suspending a participant’s plan when it needs information or reports for a relevant planning or assessment process but cannot contact the participant despite making the required attempts.

The information may be needed for several reasons, including:

• Preparing a Participant’s Plan: Gathering details about the participant’s circumstances and support requirements.
• Assessing Support Needs: Obtaining information needed to understand the participant’s disability-related needs.
• Varying or Reassessing an Existing Plan: Reviewing whether changes to the current plan are required.
• Making Decisions About Supports: Obtaining reports or other information needed to make decisions about the participant’s funded supports.

It is important to understand that plan suspension is a power available to the NDIA when the legal requirements are met. It is not an automatic penalty for being late with one response or missing a single phone call. The Agency must follow the required contact process before deciding whether suspension is appropriate.

How Many Times Must the NDIA Try to Contact You?

Before suspending a participant’s plan under the new rule, the NDIA must meet specific contact requirements. It cannot make just one unsuccessful attempt and immediately suspend the plan.

Here is what the legislation requires.

• At Least Five Contact Attempts
• Contact Attempts Over Three to Four Months
• An Additional Written Contact Attempt
• Who Must the NDIA Contact?

There are also important safeguards. An attempt does not count if the NDIA becomes aware before suspension that the participant was in hospital or another institution, or was experiencing homelessness, at the time of that attempt. These requirements mean the NDIA must follow a defined process before suspending a plan. A single missed call or unanswered message is not enough.

What Happens When the NDIA Suspends Your Plan?

If the NDIA decides to suspend a participant’s plan under the new rule, it must provide written notice explaining the decision and specifying when the suspension takes effect.

The suspension does not mean the participant’s entire NDIS plan is cancelled. However, it does affect access to funded supports during the suspension period.

Here is what happens:

• The Plan Remains in Effect: The participant does not automatically lose their NDIS membership.
• The Statement of Participant Supports Is Suspended: The funded supports section of the plan is temporarily suspended.
• Funding Is Affected: NDIS amounts relating to supports acquired or provided during the suspension period are generally not payable.
• Other Supports May Not Be Funded: The NDIA is not required to provide or fund other supports under the plan during this period, although the CEO can decide to do so where appropriate.
• Plan Changes Are Restricted: The participant cannot request a plan variation or reassessment while the statement of participant supports is suspended.

It is important to understand the difference between a suspended plan and losing NDIS access. A plan suspension does not automatically mean that the participant has permanently lost their NDIS membership, but it can prevent them from accessing their funded supports during the suspension period.

You can read the effect of an NDIS plan suspension in the official legislation.

Can the NDIA Remove You From the NDIS After Your Plan Is Suspended?

A suspended NDIS plan does not automatically mean that a participant has lost their NDIS membership. Plan suspension and removal from the NDIS are two different decisions. However, under the amended legislation, the NDIA CEO may revoke a person’s participant status if their plan has been suspended under the new not-contactable rule for at least 90 days.

This does not mean that participant status is automatically revoked after 90 days. It is a possible further action the CEO may consider, rather than an automatic outcome. This is why participants and families should respond to the NDIA as soon as possible if they receive a request for information or a suspension notice. Getting in touch with the Agency and addressing outstanding requests can help prevent the suspension from continuing unnecessarily.

You can read more about NDIS legislation on participant status and plan suspension.

What Should You Do If Your NDIS Plan Has Been Suspended?

If you receive a notice that your NDIS plan has been suspended, it is important to contact the NDIA and find out what information is still required. Taking action promptly can help you understand the next steps and address the suspension.

• Contact the NDIA as Soon as Possible
• Ask What Information Is Still Required
• Provide the Requested Information
• Keep Your Nominee or Authorised Representative Informed
• Ask About Lifting the Suspension

What Happens If You Contact the NDIA After 90 Days?

If your NDIS plan has been suspended for more than 90 days, you can still contact the NDIA to discuss the suspension. However, the process is different from contacting the Agency within the first 90 days.

Here is what you need to understand:

• Contacting Within 90 Days: If you contact the NDIA within 90 days after the suspension decision, the CEO must take one of the specified actions within 28 days. This means deciding to end the suspension or requesting relevant information or reports.
• Contacting After 90 Days: If you contact the NDIA more than 90 days after the suspension decision and the suspension is still in effect, the CEO may follow the same process. However, the legislation does not require the CEO to do so.
• Possible Revocation of Participant Status: If the participant remains uncontactable and the suspension continues for at least 90 days, the CEO may also consider revoking their NDIS participant status.

This is why it is important not to delay responding to the NDIA. Contacting the Agency and providing the requested information as early as possible can help address the suspension and clarify the next steps.

How Can You Avoid an NDIS Plan Suspension?

Participants and families can take a few simple steps to avoid communication problems with the NDIA:

• Update Your Contact Details: Keep your phone number, email and postal address current.
• Check NDIA Messages: Regularly check the my NDIS portal, app, emails and letters.
• Respond on Time: Provide requested information and reports within the given timeframe.
• Keep Your Nominee Informed: Make sure your nominee or authorised representative knows about important requests.
• Ask for Help: Contact the NDIA if you need clarification or have difficulty responding.

If communicating with the NDIA is difficult, you can also ask an appropriate nominee, representative or disability advocate for support.

What Do the New Suspension Rules Mean for NDIS Participants?

The new NDIS plan suspension rule has applied since 1 October 2026. It allows the NDIA to suspend a plan when a participant cannot be contacted despite the required attempts. However, missing one call or email does not automatically put a plan at risk. The Agency must follow the contact requirements and provide written notice before suspending a plan.

Participants should keep their contact details updated, check NDIA messages and respond to requests for information as soon as possible.

For more information, read about other NDIS changes introduced in 2026 and NDIS plan reassessment changes in 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

Need Help With Your NDIS Support Arrangements?

Keeping up with NDIS changes and understanding your support arrangements can sometimes be difficult. Knowing where to find reliable information and responding to NDIA requests can help you stay informed about your plan.

Elmur Community Services provides personalised disability support across Perth, including Daily Living Support, Community Participation, Supported Independent Living, Respite Care and Community Nursing. If you need practical disability support or would like to discuss your support requirements, contact our team.

Email: info@elmur.com.au
Phone : (08) 6558 8814
Website : Elmur Community Services
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