NDIS DRCO Forum Summary: 2025 Changes & New Funding Rules

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is undergoing the most significant transformation in its history. 

Starting from May 19, 2025, sweeping changes are reshaping how participants access support and how plan managers deliver services. 

These reforms promise greater flexibility, improved outcomes, and a more streamlined experience for everyone involved.

If you’re a plan manager adapting to new processes or a participant wondering how these changes affect your supports, this comprehensive guide breaks down everything you need to know about the NDIS reforms rolling out over the next five years.

1. New Funding Periods (Started 19 May 2025)

What This Means in Simple Terms:

• Your NDIS plan money is now divided into time periods (like chunks of 3 months)
  
• You can only spend money during the current time period
  
• Good news: Leftover money moves to the next period in your plan
  
• Important: Not everyone gets 3-month periods – it depends on your needs
  

For Plan Managers:

• Track budgets more carefully – help clients spend money before each period ends
  
• Monitor rollover funds – explain to clients that unused money isn’t lost, just moved
  
• Plan ahead – work with clients to spread expenses across funding periods
  

For Participants:

• Don’t panic about leftover money – it rolls over to your next period
  
• Plan purchases with your plan manager to avoid running out mid-period
  
• Your funding periods are tailored to your situation, not a one-size-fits-all approach

2. New Planning Framework (Rolling Out Over 5 Years)

What This Means in Simple Terms:

• The way you get your NDIS plan is completely changing
  
• You’ll do a Support Needs Assessment (a detailed check of what help you need)
  
• Your new plan will have much more flexible budgets
  
• Adults will transition first, children later
  

For Plan Managers:

• Prepare for major workflow changes – new assessment processes and budget structures
  
• Stay updated on transition timelines for your client base
  
• Help clients prepare for their Support Needs Assessment when notified
  

For Participants:

• You’ll get advance notice about when it’s your turn to transition
  
• The assessment will be more thorough, but lead to better, more flexible plans
  
• Don’t worry – you’ll get clear instructions on what to prepare

3. Much More Flexible Budgets

What This Means in Simple Terms:

• Instead of dozens of strict budget lines, there will be only 17 main categories
  
• 5 of these categories are “flexible” which means you can move money between different supports
  
• These 5 flexible categories cover 74% of all NDIS spending
  
• “In-home and community supports” is one of the flexible categories
  

For Plan Managers:

• Easier budget management – fewer categories to track
  
• More choice for clients – money can move between similar supports
  
• Less paperwork and approval processes for common support changes
  

For Participants:

• More control over how you spend your money
  
• Less stress about putting expenses in the “wrong” budget category
  
• More options for mixing and matching your supports

4. Home and Living Support Changes

What This Means in Simple Terms:

• More flexible funding for support in your home
  
• More choice about how you live and who supports you
  
• New options for people with different support needs to live together
  

For Plan Managers:

• New billing processes for home and living supports
  
• Help clients understand their expanded housing and living options
  
• Coordinate with housing providers on flexible funding arrangements
  

For Participants:

• More innovative living arrangements will become available
  
• Easier to share supports with housemates who have different needs
  
• More choice in how your in-home support is delivered

5. Eligibility Reassessment Improvements

What This Means in Simple Terms:

• The process for checking if you still qualify for NDIS is being improved
  
• Clearer guidelines on what evidence you need to provide
  
• Better support for people with conditions that get worse over time
  
• Reduced anxiety and confusion about the process
  

For Plan Managers:

• Help clients gather evidence for reassessments
  
• Reduce client anxiety by explaining the improved process
  
• Support clients through eligibility reviews with clear timelines

For Participants:

• Less stressful process for proving your ongoing eligibility
  
• Clearer instructions on what documents you need
  
• Better support if your condition changes or gets worse over time

6. New Government Structure

What This Means in Simple Terms:

• NDIS policy is moving to a new government department
  
• Disability and health services will work together better
  
• More coordinated support across different government services
  

For Plan Managers:

• Better coordination between NDIS and health services for clients
  
• More opportunities for integrated support planning
  
• Stay informed about new department processes and contacts

For Participants:

• Better connection between your NDIS supports and health services
  
• Less gaps between different types of support
  
• More seamless experience accessing government services

Key Actions for Plan Managers Right Now

1. Educate clients about funding periods and rollover rules
   
2. Update budget tracking systems for the new flexible categories
   
3. Prepare transition support for clients moving to the new planning framework
   
4. Stay informed through NDIA updates and training sessions
   
5. Communicate proactively with clients about all these changes
   

Key Actions for Participants Right Now

1. Talk to your plan manager about how funding periods affect your spending
   
2. Don’t worry about unused money – it rolls over to your next period
   
3. Wait for your transition notice – don’t stress about timing
   
4. Ask questions – your plan manager is there to help you understand these changes
   
5. Stay positive – these changes are designed to give you more choice and flexibility

These changes are big but beneficial. They’re designed to give participants more choice and flexibility while making the system easier to navigate. Plan managers play a crucial role in helping clients understand and benefit from these improvements.

Conclusion

The NDIS changes launching in 2025 represent the most significant improvements to the scheme since its inception. These reforms prioritise participant choice, service flexibility, and outcome optimisation while reducing bureaucratic complexity.

For plan managers, these changes offer opportunities to enhance service delivery and develop innovative support solutions. For NDIS participants, the reforms promise greater control, more choices, and better-coordinated support across all aspects of life.

Success in this new NDIS environment depends on staying informed, asking questions, and working collaboratively with experienced professionals who understand both the challenges and opportunities these changes present.

The future of NDIS support is flexible, participant-centred, and outcome-focused. By understanding and embracing these changes, both plan managers and participants can achieve better results and improved quality of life.

Ready to optimise your NDIS experience under the new system? Contact our expert team today for personalised guidance and support. Explore the service area form here.