02/06/2025 Big Changes to the NDIS Act: Making Support Plans Clearer for Everyone
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is changing its operations. The government has passed a new law known as the NDIS Act 2024. These changes aim to make the NDIS better for everyone who uses it.
A significant aspect of these changes is known as “Section 33.” This section alters how plans are presented and how funding is allocated. The changes will help make things clearer and easier to follow.
This blog post will explain these changes in simple words. We want to ensure that everyone can understand what’s happening, even if you’re still in school.
What is the NDIS?
Before we talk about the changes, let’s remember what the NDIS is and what its main objectives are. The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) helps Australians with disabilities. It gives money for support and services. These supports help people with disabilities live their best lives.
The NDIS makes a plan for each person. This plan outlines the support they require and the corresponding funding allocation for this support.
What is Section 33?
Section 33 is part of the NDIS Act that outlines how plans are developed. The new changes to Section 33 focus on three main things:
- Total funding amounts
- Funding component amounts
- Funding periods
Let’s look at each of these in more detail.
The Three Big Changes in Section 33
1. Total Funding Amounts
The total funding amount will now be written at the start of each plan. This makes it easy to see the total money available.
Think of it like a bank account. Now, you can see the total amount of money in your account right at the top of your statement.
This change helps people know exactly how much money they have for all their support.
2. Funding Component Amounts
Funding will be divided into distinct parts, referred to as “components.” These components match with support categories.
For example, one component might be for help at home. Another might be for help navigating the community. A third might be for therapy services.
This is like having different jars for different types of spending. One jar is for food, one for toys, and one for clothes. Each jar has its own money.
This change helps people visualise the amount of money they have for each type of support.
3. Funding Periods
Plans will now have clear funding periods. These periods show when you can use your funding.
Funding periods may be equal (such as three months each) or have varying lengths. Any money you don’t spend in one period will roll over to the next period.
This is like having money for each month. If you don’t spend all your January money, it goes into your February jar.
This change enables people to plan their funding usage throughout the year.
When Will These Changes Happen?
The NDIS is putting these changes in place step by step:
- Interim Stage: October 2024 – May 2025. This is the first step, where some changes begin to occur.
- PACE Stage: May 2025—this is when most of the changes will be active. We are currently in this stage.
- New Framework Planning: Late 2025 is when all changes will be fully working.
What Else is Changing?
New Messages When Uploads Get Rejected
Providers and plan managers might upload bills in bulk. Sometimes, these get rejected.
There are new messages to explain why uploads get rejected. These messages help with both flexible and stated supports.
If you’re a provider or plan manager, check the bulk payment request guide on the NDIS website. It has all the details about the NDIS Act and these new messages.
Updates to the My NDIS Provider Portal
The My NDIS provider portal has new views. These updates make it easier for providers to see the latest funding information.
The portal will show the three new parts of Section 33:
- Total funding amounts
- Funding component amounts
- Funding periods
This makes it easier for providers to claim payments accurately.
How Do These Changes Help NDIS Participants?
These changes will make several things better for people who use the NDIS:
- Clearer Information: You can see exactly how much money you have in total.
- Better Planning: You know how much money you have for each type of support, making it easier to plan.
- Easier Tracking: You can view your funding periods, allowing you to spread out your support over time.
- Less Confusion: With clearer plans, there’s less chance of misunderstanding what support you can get.
- Smoother Payments: Providers can see the same clear information, making payments quicker and more accurate.
How Do These Changes Help Providers?
If you provide NDIS services, these changes will help you too:
- Clear Funding Information: See exactly how much funding each participant has.
- Organised Categories: Know which support category the funding comes from
- Visible Timeframes: See when funding is available throughout the plan.
- Better Claim Processing: The new portal views make claiming payments easier.
- Helpful Error Messages: When bulk uploads get rejected, you’ll get clearer messages about why.
Examples to Help Understand the Changes
Example 1: Total Funding Amount
Before:
Mary’s plan had funding listed in different sections, making it hard to know the total.
Now, Mary’s plan begins with “Total Funding: $25,000,” making it clear from the start.
Example 2: Funding Components
Before:
Tom had to review his entire plan to determine how much money he had allocated for each support type.
Now, Tom’s plan clearly shows
- Daily Activities: $10,000
- Social Activities: $8,000
- Therapy: $7,000
Example 3: Funding Periods
Before:
Sarah wasn’t sure when to use her funding throughout the year.
Now, Sarah’s plan shows:
- Period 1 (Jan-Apr): $8,000
- Period 2 (May-Aug): $8,000
- Period 3 (Sep-Dec): $9,000
If Sarah only uses $7,000 in Period 1, the extra $1,000 rolls over to Period
How to Stay Updated
To learn more about these changes, you can:
- Visit the NDIS website
- Read the “Summary of legislation changes” page on the NDIS website
- Check the “Frequently Asked Questions about Legislation” page
- Visit the Department of Social Services (DSS) website
- Sign up for the NDIS Newsletter
- Check the “Latest events” page on the NDIS website
Final Thoughts
The NDIS Act 2024 introduces positive changes to the way NDIS plans are developed. The Section 33 changes make plans clearer by showing:
- Total funding amounts at the start of the plans
- Funding is split into different support categories
- Clear funding periods throughout the plan
These changes help both participants and providers. Participants can better understand their funding. Providers can process claims more easily.
The changes are currently underway, with full implementation expected by late 2025.
Remember, these changes aim to improve the NDIS for everyone. They help get the NDIS “back on track,” as the name of the Act suggests.
If you use the NDIS or work with people who do, take time to learn about these changes. The resources listed above can provide you with a detailed understanding of everything.
Together, we can make sure everyone gets the most from these improvements to the NDIS. For more information, contact My Mobile Plan Manager.