This explainer is a resource for people with disability and disability advocates, helping them understand developments to the National Disability Insurance Scheme.
2025 saw significant changes to the NDIS. But it was also a year of delays and uncertainty for Scheme participants and advocates, with the Commonwealth Government delaying many anticipated reforms.
NDIS Insights 2025-26 helps people to understand key developments and what they mean for participants. The report examines:
- the impact of new NDIS supports lists;
- the introduction of funding periods in participant plans;
- the announcement of the ‘Thriving Kids’ program;
- efforts to improve regulation and oversight of providers; and
- the National Disability Insurance Agency’s engagement with the community, following continued calls from the disability community for meaningful co-design of NDIS reforms.
NDIS Insights also analyses emerging themes and trends in decisions by the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART) and the Federal Court, following a surge in applications for review of NDIS funding and access decisions in 2025.
Download an accessible Microsoft Word version of the report.
The explainer was produced by the JEC’s Disability Rights team: Senior Solicitors Sheetal Balakrishnan, Nicola Colagiuri, Erin Turner Manners and Mitchell Skipsey, and Principal Solicitor Ellen Tilbury.
Our thanks to Bianca Janovic and the team at Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer, who made this report possible with pro bono support.
