A participant checks their NDIS plan and sees a budget that has worked for them for months. Then they hear that major NDIS changes are coming in October 2026.
The immediate question is understandable: “Will my funding change?”
The answer is more specific than a simple yes or no.
The NDIS budget changes October 2026 will be introduced progressively. Participants will not automatically have their funding changed on 1 October. Instead, changes will apply when plans are reassessed or renewed, depending on the type of support involved.
What Changes From 1 October 2026?
Under the new NDIS laws, support budgets for social, civic and community participation and capacity building daily activities will progressively be reset when participants’ plans are reassessed or renewed.
The changes will be introduced over time:
- From 1 October 2026: when a plan is reassessed or a new plan is approved
- From 1 February 2027: when a plan is renewed
Importantly, the NDIS says these changes are not backdated. Participants can continue using their existing plans and supports until a change applies to their plan.
Who Could Be Affected?
The changes are particularly relevant to participants who receive funding in areas including:
- social and community participation
- capacity building daily activities
However, the NDIS has confirmed that some funding areas will not be affected by these particular changes, including:
- help with eating and drinking
- education supports
- employment supports
- disability-related health supports
This means participants should not assume that every part of their NDIS plan will change.
The impact will depend on the supports included in the individual plan and when that plan is reassessed or renewed.
What Should You Check in Your Own Plan?
If your plan is coming up for reassessment, start by looking at how you currently use your funding.
Ask yourself:
- Which supports do I use regularly?
- Have my support needs changed?
- Are there supports I now need more often?
- Are there activities I can no longer manage without assistance?
- Has my ability to complete everyday tasks changed?
- Is my current funding still meeting my disability-related needs?
The NDIS has confirmed that participants can still request a plan change when there is a significant or ongoing change in their circumstances or support needs.
Keeping clear records of changing needs can therefore be important when preparing for a reassessment.
What About Capacity Building Daily Activities?
Capacity building supports are designed to help participants develop skills, independence and participation.
The category can include supports such as occupational therapy, speech therapy, support coordination and other services that help people build their capacity.
Because capacity building daily activities are specifically included in the October reforms, participants using these supports should pay particular attention to their next plan reassessment.
The key question is not simply how much funding was available previously. It is whether the evidence clearly explains what support the participant needs and why.
What If Your New Budget Doesn’t Meet Your Needs?
If you believe your new plan does not reflect your circumstances, don’t simply assume you have to manage with it.
The NDIS provides pathways for participants to request changes to their plans. A plan reassessment may be appropriate where there has been a significant change in circumstances or support needs.
You can also speak with your my NDIS contact, planner, Support Coordinator or LAC about your concerns and the evidence needed to explain your situation.
The stronger the communication around your actual day-to-day needs, the clearer the picture decision-makers have when reviewing your supports.
How My Lotus Can Help
For participants and families, NDIS reforms can feel confusing—especially when changes affect the way support budgets are structured.
My Lotus can work with participants to understand their current support arrangements, identify changes in their day-to-day needs and help ensure communication around supports is clear.
The goal isn’t simply to use a participant’s budget. It is to make sure the support being delivered continues to reflect the person’s actual circumstances and goals.
If you’re unsure how the NDIS budget changes October 2026 may affect your current supports, speak with the My Lotus team on 0493 084 705.
The Important Part: Don’t Assume Your Plan Changes Overnight
The October reforms are being phased in, not applied to every participant at once. The NDIS has confirmed that existing plans continue until the relevant changes apply through reassessment or renewal.
So before worrying about a sudden funding reduction, check when your plan will be reassessed, which support categories you use, and whether your current funding still reflects your needs.
For participants navigating the NDIS budget changes October 2026, understanding your own plan is the first step.
