If you have a child on the NDIS, you probably know that things can change quickly.
A child might start school, move into a new classroom, lose an important informal support, experience a significant change in their functional capacity or need substantially more help with everyday activities. When that happens, parents naturally want to know: “What do we do if the current NDIS plan no longer meets their needs?”
New NDIS rules came into effect on 27 August 2026, and they change how unscheduled plan reassessments are requested.
Parents and child representatives need to make the request
Under the new arrangements, an unscheduled plan reassessment can be requested by the participant, their nominee or their child representative.
This is an important practical change for families. A support coordinator or provider can still help you prepare the request, explain what has changed and gather supporting information, but they cannot simply submit the reassessment request on your behalf unless they are the person legally authorised to do so.
In other words, you may still have help, but the request needs to come from the person who has the authority to make it.
Not every change means you need a reassessment
This is probably the most important thing for parents to understand.
The NDIS is making a distinction between changes that may require a plan reassessment and changes that can be dealt with through a plan variation.
A plan reassessment is intended for significant changes to a participant’s ongoing disability-related support needs. A plan variation may be more appropriate when the change is urgent, minor or short-term.
For example, if your child’s circumstances have changed significantly and the supports they need on an ongoing basis are no longer adequate, a reassessment may be appropriate.
But if you have an urgent or smaller change that needs to be addressed without reviewing the whole plan, a variation may be the better pathway.
Evidence matters
If you are requesting a reassessment, you will need to explain what has changed and why that change means your child’s current plan is no longer appropriate.
The NDIS says reassessment requests need to be made using the correct form and include evidence. This may include information from a GP or other health professional.
For parents, this means keeping good records can be really helpful. Reports, assessments and other professional evidence can help explain not just that your child’s circumstances have changed, but how that change affects their day-to-day support needs.
What happens after you apply?
Once the NDIA has the information it needs, it will make a decision within 90 days. The decision may be to reassess the plan, not reassess it, or vary the plan. The NDIA says it will explain the decision and why it was made.
The key message for families is: a change in your child’s circumstances does not automatically mean you need a plan reassessment.
Before submitting a request, look carefully at what has changed, whether the change is significant and ongoing, and whether a plan variation could be more appropriate.
And if you’re unsure, you can contact your NDIS contact for help working out which type of plan change may be appropriate and what evidence you may need.
These changes are new, and the NDIS has said it will continue updating its information as the new laws are implemented. For more information, here is the NDIS Guide to changing your plan page.
