The NDIS, or National Disability Insurance Scheme, is an Australian Government program that provides funding and support to people with permanent and significant disability. The NDIS helps people get the supports they need to live more independently, build skills, take part in their community, and reach their goals.

NDIS funding can be used for reasonable and necessary supports related to your disability. This may include everyday supports, personal care, help at home, community participation, skills development, employment supports, therapy, equipment, and assistive technology. Your funding is based on your individual needs and goals and is outlined in your NDIS plan.

You may be eligible for the NDIS if you:

• Are between 9 and 65 years of age
• Live in Australia and are an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or hold a Protected Special Category Visa
• Have a permanent and significant disability that affects your ability to take part in everyday activities

Children under 9 years of age may be eligible for support through the Early Childhood Early Intervention pathway. Eligibility is assessed by the National Disability Insurance Agency.

You can apply for the NDIS by making an access request through the NDIA. This usually involves completing an application form and providing supporting evidence from health professionals about your disability and how it impacts your daily life. If approved, you will work with the NDIA to develop an NDIS plan based on your goals and support needs.

No. The NDIS does not affect your Disability Support Pension (DSP). The NDIS provides supports and services, while the DSP is an income support payment. You can receive both at the same time without one impacting the other.

The Government has now released new details on how the planned NDIS funding changes for social, economic and community participation and improved daily living skills supports will operate, which has commenced from 1 October.

What is changing

The Government is reducing some NDIS funding from 1 October 2026. Funding for employment supports is not being cut.

• Community participation (day programs, social, and leisure activities): cut by 50%.
• Improved daily living skills: cut by 10%.
• Supports in employment (help to do your job or SLES at Greenacres): not affected.
• Health, high intensity and complex behaviour supports are also not affected.

Every plan is different, so the impact will be different for each person.

When it will affect you

Nothing changes until your plan is reassessed or renewed. You can keep using your current plan until then.

• Changes apply at plan reassessments from 1 October 2026, and plan renewals from 1 February 2027.
• Everyone affected will have the change applied by 30 September 2027.
• The NDIA will contact you before your plan changes.

What you can do now

1. Make sure you are aware of the changes that might affect you. Read the NDIA newsletter, and look at the NDIS website for more information. Come back these resources regularly as things change. If you would like a hand with any of it, ask us.
2. Make sure the NDIA has your current address, phone and email so their letters reach you.
3. Find your plan dates. Know when your plan is due for reassessment or renewal.
4. Check your employment supports are clear. If you are a Supported Employee at Greenacres, the support you get at work should show as employment support. If you are using your flexible core funding for employment supports, make sure you let the agency know when they are reviewing your plan. If you are not sure, ask us. If funding you use for finding and keeping a job and supports at work is cut, please let us know immediately. You can request a reassessment with the NDIS within 90 days.
5. Get ready for your planning meeting. Bring information about your job, your hours and the help you need. We can help you prepare.
6. Plan your non-work days. If community participation funding drops, talk to us about what matters most and lower-cost options.
7. Tell us if you have 24-hour support. There is a special pathway to protect people who need support around the clock. See below if this is relevant to you.
8. Speak up if something looks wrong. If your new plan does not meet your needs, contact us or your support coordinator straight away.

If you have 24-hour support – variation pathway

The Government has released a new plan variation process for participants with high support needs. You can ask the NDIA to vary your plan if you:

• have at least $215,030 in total funding across Assistance with Daily Life, Home and Living, and Social, Economic and Community Participation
• receive 24-hour NDIS supports for needs arising from your disability
• share those supports at a ratio of 1:3 or more intensive (such as 1:2).

Meeting these is not enough on its own. You must also show the cut leaves too little funding to safely keep your 24-hour supports and ratio. Only you or your nominee can apply, within 90 days of the cut being applied. An advocate or support worker can help. The NDIA has up to 42 days to decide. Any extra funding can only go to Daily Life or Home and Living and cannot be more than the amount cut.

How may funding cuts impact my supports with Greenacres?

When you receive changes to your plan funding, it is important to let the Greenacres team know so that we can work with you to try and adapt your supports accordingly.

This will also require you to sign a new service agreement.

How Greenacres will help

We will aim to contact participants and families in order of plan dates, starting with those due soonest. We will check your plan, help you gather evidence and support you through your planning meeting.

There is no question too small or concern too minor to raise with us. We would much rather hear from you than have you worrying about it alone.

This is a period of change, and change is unsettling. What has not changed is our connection to you and your family, and our commitment to supporting you in whatever way we can.

Questions on the changes?

Contact Greenacres NDIS Engagement team on 1800 462 446 or NDISaccounts@greenacres.net.au.

• Funding changes for NDIS supports, Department of Health, Disability and Ageing
• Changes to support budgets for NDIS participants, Department of Health, Disability and Ageing
• Easy Read version
  Thank you for the trust you place in Greenacres, and we will continue to let you know more as we do.