NDIS assessments are changing. What this means for participants
NDIS assessments are changing following recent reforms announced by the Australian Government.
In September, the government confirmed a new approach to NDIS assessments for people applying to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and for some existing participants undergoing reassessment.
Under the new process, individuals will no longer be required to gather and submit multiple medical reports. Instead, they will complete an interview with an assessor from the National Disability Insurance Agency.
According to the government, these changes aim to make NDIS assessments more consistent, efficient and accessible.
However, key details about how assessment outcomes will be used in planning and funding decisions have not yet been fully released.
Why NDIS assessments are being reformed
An independent review of the NDIS reported to the federal government in December 2023. The review identified several issues with existing NDIS assessment and evidence processes.
It found that requiring people to obtain reports from treating doctors and allied health professionals can lead to delays and additional costs. These barriers can affect timely access to the scheme and may result in inconsistent outcomes.
The review also noted that existing processes tend to focus on diagnosis rather than on functional capacity and everyday support needs.
Further background on current eligibility and assessment processes is available on the official NDIS website.
How NDIS assessments will work from mid-2026
From mid-2026, NDIS assessments for participants aged 16 and older will be conducted by NDIA-appointed assessors.
Assessors will be allied health professionals, such as occupational therapists or social workers. They will use a standardised assessment tool called the Instrument for the Classification and Assessment of Support Needs version six, commonly referred to as I CAN.
NDIS assessments using I CAN will examine support needs across twelve areas of daily life. These include mobility, self-care, communication, relationships, and physical and mental health. Each area is rated according to how often the participant requires support and the level of support needed.
The assessment is based primarily on self-reported information and is expected to take approximately three hours.
The NDIA has indicated that further guidance will be published on the NDIS website as implementation approaches.
What is still unclear about NDIS assessments
Several aspects of the new NDIS assessment process remain unresolved.
It is not yet clear what additional evidence, if any, will be considered alongside assessment outcomes, particularly in the absence of medical reports.
Another unresolved issue is how NDIS assessment results will translate into individual budgets. Budgets determine the types and levels of support participants can access.
Currently, NDIS plans are constructed by identifying individual supports and allocating funding accordingly. The NDIS review recommended moving towards a more flexible budget model, where funding could be used across a broader range of supports.
Details about how this recommendation will be implemented, and how budget adequacy will be ensured, have not yet been confirmed. Recent changes to operational rules about funded supports may also affect how flexibility is applied in practice.
The NDIS website outlines current rules on reasonable and necessary supports and will be updated as changes occur.
Reasonable and necessary NDIS supports
Standardisation and NDIS assessments
One stated aim of the reforms is to introduce greater consistency and efficiency into NDIS assessments and planning.
Standardised assessment tools have been used in other disability and social support systems internationally. Evidence from some comparable schemes suggests that standardisation can improve consistency, but may also limit responsiveness to individual circumstances if not carefully designed.
Concerns have also been raised about the increasing use of automated processes in planning and decision-making. The NDIA has confirmed that technology is used to support planning, although the extent of automation continues to be clarified.
Further information about planning processes and participant rights is available through the NDIS website.
NDIS a new way of planning announcement
Your rights and responsibilities as an NDIS participant or nominee
Potential impacts of new NDIS assessments on different groups
Stakeholders have noted that standardised, self-report based NDIS assessments may affect some groups differently.
People with complex communication needs, high support requirements, or who experience difficulty describing their needs in interview settings may require additional consideration.
Cultural, language and accessibility factors may also influence assessment experiences for people from diverse backgrounds, including First Nations communities.
The length of the assessment may place a significant cognitive and emotional demand on participants, which could affect responses.
Some stakeholders have suggested that allowing supplementary evidence from professionals familiar with the participant may help ensure assessments accurately reflect support needs.
At the time of writing, no final position on this approach has been confirmed.
Staying informed about NDIS assessments
As further details are released, participants and families are encouraged to rely on official sources for accurate information.
The NDIS website remains the primary source for updates on assessments, planning, eligibility and review processes.
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Lifely publishes blogs and learning topics that explain changes in the disability system in clear, plain English.
You can explore our other articles to learn more about the NDIS, disability supports, and navigating planning and review processes as reforms continue to roll out.
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