The NDIS planning changes of 2026 are set to transform how participants access funding, making it vital to understand the upcoming shifts in the scheme. From mid-2026, the National Disability Insurance Agency will begin rolling out what is known as New Framework Planning. For participants aged 16 and over, a major part of this transition is the introduction of the new NDIS Support Needs Assessment. This new approach is designed to make budgets fairer and more consistent by looking closely at your actual, day-to-day life.
Moving Away From Impairment to Practical Needs
In the past, working with an NDIS planner often meant relying heavily on medical diagnoses and reports that focused purely on functional impairments. The new framework shifts the focus entirely onto your practical disability support needs. Instead of just looking at a diagnosis, the goal is to understand exactly what physical help you require to go about your daily routine safely and independently.
Understanding the I-CAN Tool
To measure these daily needs, the NDIA will use a tool called the Instrument for Classification and Assessment of Support Needs. During your I-CAN assessment NDIS meeting, a trained assessor will have a structured conversation with you to evaluate 12 specific areas of daily life. These areas include crucial routines like mobility, self-care, communication, and social connection.
Importantly, this tool is strengths-based. It does not just look at what you cannot do; it focuses on what you can achieve when the right supports are put in place.
Why Exact Documentation Matters More Than Ever
Because the new system relies on clear, real-world examples of your daily support needs, vague reporting will no longer be enough. You will need to clearly demonstrate exactly how much help you require for specific tasks. This is where traditional, rigid two-hour minimum shifts can make it difficult to show an accurate picture of your needs, as they bundle all your support into large, untracked blocks of time.
How the MACS Drop-In Model Aligns with the New Framework
At Mobile Attendant Care Service, our task-based drop-in model naturally aligns with the requirements of the new framework. Because we bill a minimum of 15 minutes to begin, with final billing based on actual time thereafter, we clearly document the exact minutes you need for specific daily tasks, whether that is a 30-minute morning personal care routine or a 15-minute hoist transfer. This highly transparent reporting provides you with the exact, data-driven evidence you need to prove your practical support requirements during your next assessment.
Interested in learning more?
Contact MACS today on 07 3857 0333 or enquire online to discuss how our transparent, task-based support reporting can help you clearly demonstrate your daily needs ahead of your next NDIS assessment.
