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Have your say: NDIS New Framework Plan Rules – Member Survey now open

The Department of Health, Disability & Ageing (DHDA) is consulting on the draft NDIS New Framework Plan Rules, which will guide how planning will work from mid-2026 for some participants aged over 16. The rollout will be phased, and participants will be notified by the NDIA before anything changes for them.

OTA is preparing a submission to Government and we want member input to shape our response.

Please complete our short survey by 12pm, 3 March 2026. See questions below.

Public consultation closes on 6 March 2026, so your feedback will directly inform OTA’s advocacy on behalf of the profession and the participants you support.

The draft rules:

DHDA are still developing the rules and explanation about how new framework planning will work in practice. The consultation documentation outlines a four-step process:

1. Preparing for a support needs assessment.

2. The support needs assessment.

3. Building a plan.

4. Using a Plan.

Under the new framework, a participant’s budget may include:

· Flexible funding – this can be used by a participant on any support that is an NDIS support for that participant, subject to any restrictions and requirements that may be placed on that funding.

· Stated supports – this must be spent on the stated support as described in a participant’s plan.

Restrictions may be used to ensure funds are available for important supports for the duration of the plan. Requirements are conditions for funding, which means that a participant may need to meet certain requirements, such as obtaining a quote, or engaging an appropriately qualified provider/professional, in order to access funds.

A current support list is available on the NDIS website.

To find out more please visit: https://consultations.health.gov.au/ndis/nfp-public-consultation/

Key issues OTA is considering

To give members some additional context, OTA has some initial concerns that we are considering including in our submission:

· Access to therapy supports. OTA is concerned that the New Framework Plans could limit access to therapy supports, especially if the NDIA relies heavily on needs assessors who are not allied health professionals.

· Restrictions on flexible funding. OTA does not support any restrictions being applied to flexible funding that would prevent participants from accessing the therapy supports they need, including occupational therapy.

· Longer-term plans. While longer-term plans are welcome in principle, current practice shows they are not always working well. Many participants exhaust funds early, or receive funding allocations that are too small to be practical. Funding periods must be appropriate and workable.

· Appeal rights and plan changes. DHDA and the NDIA should clearly outline participants’ rights to review or appeal decisions at every key stage, as well as provide transparency around changes of circumstances or reassessment processes.

· Use of algorithms and automated decision-making. OTA is concerned about the growing reliance on automation and AI in planning. Human oversight must be mandatory for all decisions.
1.What additional information should DHDA provide to help NDIS participants better understand the changes to New Framework Plans?
2.What are the key risks or what might not work as part of the changes to New Framework Plans?
3.What could DHDA do to help OTA members more easily understand the changes to New Framework Plans?
4.What information or resources would help you, as an OTA member, understand the proposed changes more clearly?
5.Do you have any concerns about the proposed transition timelines for New Framework Plans? For example:

· Group 1: participants aged 16 years or older on 1 July 2026 transition between 1 July 2026 and 2 October 2029

· Group 2: participants under 16 years on 1 July 2027 transition between 1 July 2027 and 2 October 2029)
6.Do you have any concerns about the notice of impairments and the circumstances in which the CEO may vary a notice of impairment?
7.Do you have concerns about the support needs assessment process under the New Framework Plans?
8.The NDIA plans to use the I‑CAN tool (Instrument for the Classification and Assessment of Support Needs) developed by the University of Melbourne and the Centre for Disability Studies. What are your views or concerns about the I‑CAN tool?
9.Do you have any concerns about how flexible funding and funding for stated supports will operate under the New Framework Plans?
10.Do you have any concerns around funding periods?
11.Do you have any concerns relating to appeal rights and the processes for changing or reviewing one’s plan?
12.Is there anything else that you want to raise about the New Framework Plans that has not been covered in the questions above?