NDIS Overhaul 2026: Key Changes, Cuts & What Happens Next
Big changes are coming to the NDIS in 2026. From new eligibility rules to funding reforms, here’s what the overhaul means and what happens next.
NDIS 2025-26 Price Guide: What Applies Under the Current Pricing Arrangements
Published: August 14, 2025 | Last updated: March 2, 2026
Table of Contents
The framework that applies in 2026 is the NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits (PAPL) 2025–26, effective from 1 July 2025. These arrangements set maximum prices, claiming rules, and regional loadings for metropolitan, regional, and remote areas. They cover therapy price limits, support-worker rates, travel and cancellation billing rules, and transitional arrangements. The goal is to maintain fairness, transparency, and sustainability for participants and providers across all areas.
The NDIS remains a major social program for Australians with disabilities. As of early 2026, the scheme supports around 751,000 participants, continuing a trend of steady growth from 717,001 in March 2025. The scheme emphasises early intervention, capacity-building supports, and services for children and young people.
Understanding the current PAPL framework is crucial for both participants and providers, as it ensures allied health therapy, exercise physiology, support-worker-delivered services, and in-home supports are delivered within regulated pricing and aligned with participant goals. Rather than introducing a new guide in 2026, the year consolidates the 2025–26 PAPL, with minor updates like those in v1.1 effective 24 November 2025.
What Is the NDIS Price Guide, and Why Does It Matter?
The NDIS Price Guide, officially the Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits (PAPL), is published by the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) and sets maximum prices and compliance rules for NDIS-funded supports across Australia.
It matters because it:
- Supports fair pricing by preventing overcharging and keeping providers within set price limits.
- Protects participant budgets by enforcing caps for Agency‑Managed and Plan‑Managed funding.
- Clarifies claiming rules for travel, cancellations, and non-face-to-face supports.
- Recognizes higher costs in remote areas through regional loadings, maintaining access for all participants.
For participants seeking clarity on therapy access, Roaming Therapy offers a guide on eligibility for NDIS physiotherapy in Melbourne that explains who qualifies and how assessments are conducted.
NDIS Funding Categories Explained
Funding is structured across three main categories under the 2025–26 PAPL, continuing into 2026:
- Core Supports: Daily and essential supports:
- Personal care and assistance with daily living (Assistance with Self-Care Activities NDIS: What’s Covered)
- Community participation
- Transport
- Consumables
- Capacity Building Supports: Long-term skill development and independence:
- Allied health therapies (What Conditions Can NDIS Physiotherapy in Melbourne Support?)
- Support coordination
- Plan management (Self-Managed vs Plan-Managed NDIS Physiotherapy: Which Is Right for You?)
- Health and wellbeing supports
- Capital Supports: Higher-cost or one-off supports:
- Assistive technology
- Home or vehicle modifications
- Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA)
No major changes to these categories were introduced in 2026. Roaming Therapy’s guides provide practical examples of how participants can use these funding categories effectively to support their goals.
Key Updates Reflected in the 2026 Framework
The 2026 arrangements consolidate reforms from PAPL 2025–26, including:
- Greater national consistency in therapy price limits, with adjustments in WA, SA, TAS, NT, and some rural-remote areas.
- Modest support-worker rate increases (around 3.95% for some core supports, reflecting wage rises and super).
- Continued application of 50% travel-time claim limits for eligible supports, with specific regional caps.
- Refined billing transparency and documentation requirements.
- Ongoing focus on scheme sustainability.
For participants wondering how these price changes might affect therapy costs, see our post on common questions about NDIS occupational therapy pricing to understand the practical implications for daily budgeting and plan management.
1. Therapy Pricing and National Consistency
Therapy pricing under PAPL 2025–26 (continued in 2026) focuses on national consistency:
- Price limits are standardised across most states, with 10-minute increments for many therapy items.
- Some allied health rates were reduced in certain regions to align with national caps (e.g., physiotherapy capped at ~$183.99/hour non-remote).
- These changes aim to maintain reasonable access while supporting long-term scheme sustainability.
Participants can explore which conditions are typically supported under NDIS physiotherapy in Melbourne in our guide on conditions that qualify for funded therapy.
2. Core Support Worker Rate Adjustments
- Price limits for Core support workers were modestly increased from 1 July 2025 to reflect real-world cost pressures.
- Example: Community participation support capped at ~$70.23/hour.
- Caps are fixed for the 2025–26 year; there is no mid-year indexation.
- Providers must bill within these limits, and participants can use them to gauge reasonable hourly rates.
3. Clarifications on Claiming Rules
Travel Costs
- Providers may claim 50% of the relevant hourly rate for travel time.
- Travel time caps: typically 15 minutes metropolitan / 30 minutes regional for therapies.
- Non-labor travel costs (tolls, parking) are claimable if agreed in the service agreement.
Short-Notice Cancellations
- Defined as two clear business days before scheduled support (excluding weekends/public holidays).
- Cancellation fees must be outlined in the service agreement and stay within price limits.
Non-Face-to-Face Billing
- Includes report writing, care coordination, and case conferencing.
- Must relate to approved supports, be reasonable and necessary, and be itemised on invoices.
4. Transitional Arrangements
- Transitional arrangements support continuity as reforms roll out, with some changes effective 1 July 2025 and others phased in later.
- Participants and providers should consult NDIA PAPL schedules for item-specific timelines.
Aligning NDIS Funding With Participant Goals
Funding categories remain aligned with participant goals:
- Core Supports: Flexibility for daily living and community participation.
- Capacity Building Supports: Focus on therapy, skill development, and independence; funding requires evidence of being reasonable, necessary, and linked to goals.
- Capital Supports: Require formal assessments, quotes, and NDIA approval; funds are not interchangeable with Core or Capacity Building.
Participants are encouraged to work with plan managers or support coordinators to ensure funds are used appropriately within PAPL price limits.
For practical guidance, participants can refer to Roaming Therapy insights on self-managed vs. plan-managed approaches to make the most of their therapy funding.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many participants are currently in the NDIS?
Early 2026 estimates are ~751,000 participants, up from 717,001 in March 2025.
Where can I find the official NDIS price limits
The PAPL is published annually on the NDIA website.
Have therapy rates changed?
Yes. Some therapy rates were adjusted under the 2025–26 reforms for national consistency, with reductions in certain regions and the introduction of 10-minute billing increments.
How are travel costs billed?
Providers may claim 50% of the hourly rate, subject to regional caps and service-agreement terms.
Are there major new supports introduced in 2026?
No. 2026 consolidates the 2025–26 framework without introducing new national support categories.
Making the Most of Your NDIS Plan in 2026
Understanding the PAPL 2025–26 framework helps participants manage budgets, align supports with goals, and ensure providers deliver services compliantly and sustainably. The NDIA’s focus on transparency, national consistency, and long-term sustainability ensures the NDIS remains responsive to participant needs while protecting its future viability.
Participants can explore detailed guides curated by Roaming Therapy, including:
- How to confirm eligibility for physiotherapy under NDIS in Melbourne.
- Which health conditions are supported by NDIS physiotherapy.
- Comparing self-managed and plan-managed approaches.
- Understanding occupational therapy pricing and what fees to expect.
- Guidance on assistance with self-care activities.
These resources help participants make informed decisions, plan support effectively, and navigate the NDIS framework in Melbourne.
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