The way people qualify for the NDIS is changing from 1 January 2028. The new process will use a standardised assessment of functional capacity: how a person's disability affects their everyday life.
Existing participants will also begin having their eligibility reassessed, with the process spread over three years. There are different transition arrangements for young children already in the NDIS.
Last updated: . The assessment tools and detailed rules are still being developed.
When do the new NDIS assessment criteria start?
The Australian Government's NDIS reform guidance sets out two separate assessment changes:
- From April 2027: support needs assessments will begin rolling out to help set NDIS plan budgets. These are not eligibility assessments.
- From 1 January 2028: the new NDIS access criteria will apply to new applicants. Eligibility reassessments for existing participants will begin progressively.
The current NDIS application process continues until the access changes begin. You do not need to wait until 2028 to apply.
How will NDIS eligibility be assessed from 2028?
The new access assessment will look at how much your impairment limits your ability to manage daily activities. An impairment is a loss or change in physical, sensory, mental or other functioning.
The assessment will help the NDIA decide whether your functional capacity is significantly reduced. The NDIA will also consider whether your impairment is permanent or likely to be permanent, including relevant treatment evidence.
The exact tools and eligibility thresholds are not yet finalised. A Technical Advisory Group is advising on how to assess different disabilities, including conditions that fluctuate or change over time.
Do I need a functional capacity assessment to apply for the NDIS now?
A formal functional capacity assessment is not currently required for every NDIS application. The NDIS explains that an assessment can help show how a permanent impairment affects daily life, but other supporting evidence can also be used.
At present, applicants usually provide evidence from treating health professionals. This might include letters, medical reports or existing assessments describing their impairment, treatment history and support needs.
A functional capacity assessment commonly looks at communication, learning, mobility, self-care, self-management and social interaction. For example, it may explain the help you need to shower safely, communicate your needs or manage appointments.
Read our guide to NDIS functional capacity assessments for more detail about the current process.
Will I need treatment before I can access the NDIS?
From January 2028, the new permanence criteria will consider whether you have undertaken appropriate treatment and whether further appropriate treatment could meaningfully improve your impairment.
This does not mean trying every available treatment. Your treating practitioner can explain what you have tried, the results and whether other options are suitable for you. Medical reasons that prevent you from undertaking treatment are relevant.
The Government says you will not be expected to undergo unsuitable or high-risk treatment, treatment with major lifelong impacts such as effects on fertility, or invasive interventions such as cochlear implants. Restrictive practices, including restraint and seclusion, do not count as treatment for this purpose.
Further rules will set out treatment exemptions. The reforms do not compel you to have a particular treatment, but treatment evidence can affect an eligibility decision. Discuss your own circumstances with your treating health professional.
Will existing NDIS participants have their eligibility reassessed?
Yes. From 1 January 2028, existing participants will start moving through eligibility reassessments over three years. Not everyone will be reassessed at the same time.
The Government says participants will receive information well before their reassessment. People with permanent and significant disability will continue to be able to access the NDIS if they meet the eligibility requirements.
An eligibility reassessment checks whether you still qualify for the NDIS. It is different from a plan reassessment, which looks at your funded supports. You can ask for an access decision to be reviewed if you disagree with it.
Will children with autism or developmental delay still be eligible for the NDIS?
Some children will continue to qualify, while others are expected to receive support through Thriving Kids.
The Government plans to change access from 1 January 2028 for new applicants aged 8 and under who have developmental delay and/or autism with low to moderate support needs. These children are intended to receive Thriving Kids support rather than join the NDIS. The child-specific legal changes and implementation details are still being developed.
Children with permanent and significant disability, including young children with autism or developmental delay and high support needs, will remain eligible if they meet the relevant criteria.
What if my child is already in the NDIS?
Children accessing the NDIS before 1 January 2028 will continue to be reassessed under the pre-2028 criteria while they are under 9. Once they turn 9, they will be reassessed under the new criteria, from January 2028 onwards.
Thriving Kids services began a staged rollout on 1 October 2026. Not all services are available yet, and availability will depend on where you live.
Can I access the NDIS if I have workers' compensation or motor accident support?
New rules from January 2028 may affect applicants whose impairment was caused by a work injury or motor accident covered by a relevant compensation scheme.
This is not a blanket exclusion for everyone who has received compensation. A separate impairment that meets the NDIS requirements may still allow access. The detailed rules will matter for each application.
Existing participants will continue under the current compensation arrangements. The Government says they can retain their supports, including Specialist Disability Accommodation, if they meet the other eligibility requirements.
How can I prepare for an NDIS assessment?
Keep your existing reports and treatment records together. Write down practical examples of the support you need, including what happens on more difficult days or when help is not available.
If you are applying now, follow the current NDIS supporting-evidence guidance. Before paying for a new assessment, ask your treating professional or NDIS contact what evidence is needed for your situation.
If you already have an NDIS plan, follow the NDIA's advice about your own reassessment rather than assuming you need a new report immediately.
Need help finding an NDIS therapist?
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Find an NDIS therapist or support provider with MyCareSpace.
This resource provides general information, not an individual eligibility decision. Only the NDIA can decide whether someone qualifies for the NDIS. Check the linked official guidance for further updates.
