From 27 August 2026, the NDIS changed the way participants can request a plan reassessment.
The change may look fairly procedural at first, but there is one important difference that participants, nominees and Support Coordinators should be aware of:
A Support Coordinator can no longer submit a plan reassessment request on behalf of a participant.
There are also clearer requirements around who can make the request, which form must be used, what information needs to be provided and what supporting evidence should be included.
Here is a practical summary of what has changed and what it may mean if you are considering asking for changes to an NDIS plan.
What changed from 27 August 2026?
Only the following people can now request a plan reassessment:
- the participant
- the participant’s plan nominee
- a child representative
A Support Coordinator, provider or other support person cannot submit the plan reassessment request on the participant’s behalf.
The request must also be submitted using the correct NDIS plan reassessment request form.
The form needs to explain:
- what has changed
- why the participant needs a plan reassessment
- what evidence supports the request
Supporting evidence may include reports or assessments from treating healthcare professionals, therapists or support workers.
This matters because a plan reassessment is generally intended for situations where there has been a significant and ongoing change in the participant’s circumstances or support needs.
What happens after the request is submitted?
Once the NDIA has the information and evidence it needs, it has up to 90 days to make a decision about the request.
The NDIA may decide to:
- reassess the plan
- not reassess the plan
- vary the existing plan instead
Participants can continue using their current plan while the NDIA considers whether a reassessment is needed.
If the NDIA agrees that a full reassessment is required, a new plan may then be developed based on the participant’s current circumstances and support needs.
What participants should prepare
A reassessment request should not simply say that more funding or different supports are needed.
It should clearly explain what has changed since the current plan was approved.
Depending on the situation, useful evidence may include:
- medical reports
- allied health reports
- functional assessments
- therapy reports
- support worker observations
- evidence of changes to living arrangements
- evidence of changes to informal supports
- information about changes in work, education or daily functioning
The stronger the connection between the change in circumstances, the participant’s disability-related needs and the requested supports, the easier it is for the NDIA to understand why a reassessment may be necessary.
What does this mean for Support Coordinators?
Support Coordinators still have an important role.
They can help participants understand the process, gather evidence and prepare supporting information.
They can also help identify whether the issue may be better addressed through a plan reassessment or a plan variation.
What has changed is who can formally submit the reassessment request.
The participant, plan nominee or child representative must now make that request.
In practice, this means Support Coordinators may spend more time helping participants prepare a complete request rather than submitting the request themselves.
Plan reassessment vs plan variation
Not every change requires a full reassessment.
A plan reassessment is generally more appropriate when there has been a significant and ongoing change in the participant’s support needs or circumstances and the existing plan no longer adequately meets those needs.
A plan variation may be more appropriate when only part of the current plan needs to change.
The NDIS says plan variations may be used for smaller changes and can also be considered where changes are urgent, minor or short-term.
Examples of things that may sometimes be dealt with through a variation include changes to parts of the plan, corrections or certain smaller adjustments that do not require the creation of an entirely new plan.
The NDIA currently advises that it will generally make a decision on a plan variation request within 21 days once it has the information and evidence it needs.
If you are not sure which type of request is appropriate, the NDIS recommends speaking with your my NDIS contact.
A practical checklist before requesting a reassessment
Before submitting a plan reassessment request, it may help to check that you have:
- identified the specific change in circumstances
- explained why the current plan no longer meets the participant’s needs
- gathered relevant supporting evidence
- obtained reports or assessments where appropriate
- used the correct NDIS reassessment form
- checked that the request is being made by the participant, plan nominee or child representative
It is also worth considering whether the change is significant and ongoing, or whether a plan variation may be enough.
Why this change matters
For many participants, the practical impact will be relatively simple: the participant or their authorised representative now needs to formally make the reassessment request.
But for people who rely heavily on Support Coordinators to manage NDIS processes, the distinction is important.
Support Coordinators can still do much of the preparation work, but the final reassessment request must come from an authorised person.
That makes it even more important for participants and their support teams to prepare the evidence properly before the request is submitted.
The NDIS is continuing to update its guidance as broader legislative changes are introduced, so it is worth checking the official NDIS website before submitting a request.
‘If you have a general question about this update, or there is another NDIS topic you would like me to cover, feel free to leave a comment below.‘
Official sources
NDIS – Changes to plan reassessments
NDIS – How to ask for a change to your plan
NDIS – What is a plan reassessment
NDIS – What is a plan variation
This article is for general information only and does not constitute legal, financial or individual NDIS advice. For advice about your own plan or circumstances, contact the NDIS or speak with your my NDIS contact.