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If you're part of the NDIS, or support someone who is, you’ve probably heard that big changes are underway. A major round of reforms kicked off in October 2024, with more continuing to roll out through 2025.
The goal is to keep the scheme sustainable while staying focused on the supports that make the biggest difference.
Impairment notices
From January 2025, new participants will receive an impairment notice explaining the disability that qualifies them for the NDIS. If you're already in the scheme, you’ll receive yours at your next plan review. If you are a new participant, you can request one.
The NDIS will fund supports related to the disability in your impairment notice, so these notices are there to help you better understand what you can spend your funding on. It will list your impairment category or categories, of which there are six. These are sensory, intellectual, neurological, physical, cognitive or psychosocial.
At Vision Australia, we will work with you to make sure that your plan includes the right supports for your vision needs. We can also help you find and understand this information.
Plan your budgets
The NDIS has updated how plans are structured. Now, you’ll see a total funding amount for each support category, giving you more flexibility in how to spend your funds.
However, we’ve been hearing from our community that they are noticing an increase in ‘stated’ supports in their plans. This means that you can only use your budget for specific supports described in your plan. For example, therapy supports.
If you find this change has limited your ability to use your funding as needed, speak to your Local Area Coordinator, Support Coordinator or the NDIA to find out what you can do.
Eligibility Reassessments
If the NDIS have evidence that shows that you have met your goals or have significantly increased your functional capacity, they might check if you or your child still need NDIS supports.
This process is known as an Eligibility Reassessment, and the NDIS will send you a letter telling you what you will need to do next. You will have 90 days from when you receive the letter to provide more evidence about you or your child’s disability.
If you need support to understand what evidence you need to provide, you can again speak to your Local Area Coordinator, Support Coordinator or the NDIA.
What’s no longer funded
To help ensure funding goes where it’s most needed, the NDIS introduced two NDIS Support Lists and clearer boundaries around what it covers. This means you may have found that supports that you previously purchased with your funding are no longer funded by the NDIS.
Some previously funded supports are no longer covered include:
- Non-evidence-based therapies like reiki or shamanic healing,
- Lifestyle items such as crystals, vapes or non-prescription cannabis, and
- General living costs like rent, groceries and mortgage payments.
If a support you used to access is no longer funded, you may be able to request a replacement support that helps you reach the same goal.
For help to understand this, you can reach out to your Local Area Coordinator or Support Coordinator to explore options.
What this all means for you
Throughout 2025, the NDIA has said it will take an education-first approach. That means if something changes, you’ll have time and support to adjust. You won’t be penalised for getting it wrong while you learn the new rules.
The NDIS is evolving, but so are the voices and experiences of the people within it. If you’re unsure how your current or future plan might be affected, remember there are people you can talk to like your Local Area Coordinator (LAC). You can also contact an advocacy organisation to better understand your rights.