Funding and support plans for participants in Australia’s National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) will soon be generated by a computer program, significantly reducing human involvement. This major overhaul, set to be implemented next year, was revealed in an internal briefing to National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) staff.
The changes, expected to roll out by mid-2026 under the NDIS’s New Framework Planning model, will also impact participants’ rights to appeal funding decisions. If participants contest their plans through the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT), the tribunal will no longer have the authority to alter plans or reinstate funding. Instead, plans can only be sent back to the NDIA for reassessment.
How the New System Will Operate
The government announced in September the introduction of a new tool for determining NDIS funding, known as the Instrument for Classification and Assessment of Support Needs (I-CAN) version 6. Developed by the University of Melbourne and the Centre for Disability Studies, this tool has been a staple in the Australian disability sector for two decades.
An NDIA spokesperson stated, “The NDIS Review received thousands of submissions calling for a simpler and more consistent assessment of the needs of participants.” The I-CAN tool aligns with the review’s recommendations for a fairer pathway to accessing disability supports.
The NDIA claims this model will reduce human error and increase consistency in support plan development, eliminating the need for participants to gather extensive medical evidence. The government aims to curb the NDIS’s growth rate from 12% to 5-6% annually.
Concerns and Criticisms
Disability rights groups have expressed concerns about the new system, particularly regarding the training of assessors and how independent medical evidence will be considered. These issues were also raised during a recent online session attended by NDIA staff in Queensland.
Desmond Lee, general manager of Queensland regional services for the NDIS, assured participants that the new model aims to provide a better experience. He described the assessment process as a “guided semi-structured conversation” conducted by Australian Public Service level 6 employees.
Lee emphasized the role of NDIA staff, or “delegates,” in ensuring the quality of the plans. However, questions remain about who will ultimately make funding decisions under the new framework.
Impact on Appeal Rights
Lee also addressed changes to appeal rights, explaining that if the AAT finds an assessment flawed, it can only order a reassessment by the NDIA. This marks a significant shift from the current system, where the tribunal can directly amend plans.
“In the 12 months to June 2025, there were 7,132 new cases brought before the tribunal, a 76% increase from the previous year,” highlighting the growing number of appeals against NDIA decisions.
Advocates are concerned about this change, as historically, 73% of cases reviewed by the tribunal resulted in altered NDIA decisions.
Looking Ahead
While some NDIA staff are optimistic about the changes, others worry about potential gaps in participant support. Concerns include the lack of obligation to consider independent evidence and the challenges of engaging with participants who distrust government agencies.
Lee acknowledged the need for specialized teams to support participants with complex needs, such as those in institutional settings or those affected by psychosocial disabilities.
The NDIA has learned from past attempts to introduce independent assessments, which were scrapped in 2021 after backlash from disability rights groups. The agency is committed to consulting with the disability community to ensure the successful implementation of these reforms.
As the NDIA prepares to roll out the new I-CAN planning model, it continues to engage with stakeholders to address concerns and refine the system. The coming months will be crucial in determining how these changes will impact the future of disability support in Australia.
