As allied health therapists working with children through the NDIS, the Kids First team knows that many families with young children, especially those accessing the NDIS through the Early Childhood Approach, are feeling uncertain about the changes that took effect on 3 October 2024. We are in the early stages of these changes, and while there are some key things to be aware of now, there’s also a bit of a “watch and wait” situation as the Australian Government works through how everything will unfold over the next 18 months.
What’s Already Changed in the NDIS?
1. Focus on Disability-Specific Supports
The NDIS is now much stricter about funding supports that are directly tied to a diagnosed disability. This means if your child receives therapies for general developmental concerns – like speech therapy, occupational therapy, or social skills support – these may no longer be covered unless they are clearly linked to a recognised disability like autism or intellectual disability. For children without a formal diagnosis, future changes may mean that you may need to explore public health or education services for these types of supports.
What you need to do: If your child is receiving these types of general developmental supports, it’s important to plan ahead and discuss options with your child’s therapists to see how this change might affect them.
2. New Plan Structures and Funding Cycles
Your child’s NDIS plan will now provide a clearer breakdown of funding, making it easier for you to see how much is available and how it can be used. Here’s how it will be structured:
- A total funding amount for the full duration of the plan (usually 12 to 36 months),
- Funding components that specify how much money is allocated to each type of support, such as therapy or assistive technology, and
- A 12-month funding cycle, which means that your funding will be released in portions throughout the year. This approach is designed to help you budget for services across the entire year and prevent funds from being used too quickly.
What this means for your child: You’ll need to keep an eye on how much funding is available within each 12-month period and plan your child’s services accordingly, making sure their needs are met throughout the year without running out of funding too soon.
3. Tighter Reassessments During Plan Reviews
When it’s time for your child’s NDIS plan review, the focus will be on ensuring that only supports directly tied to their disability are funded. This means that the reports you submit from professionals—such as speech therapists, OTs, or psychologists—will need to clearly show how your child’s diagnosed disability impacts their daily life and why specific supports are necessary.
Starting from early 2025, families will also start receiving impairment notices from the NDIS, outlining exactly which impairments they are funding for your child. This is intended to provide more transparency about what’s covered and why.
What you need to do: Start preparing for your child’s plan review at least 4 months in advance. Gathering up-to-date reports from your child’s therapists will help make sure that all the necessary supports are included in their plan.
What’s Coming Over the Next 18 Months?
1. The Introduction of Foundational Supports
The Australian Government has been in discussions with state governments about how foundational supports for young children will roll out. It’s likely that states will become responsible for providing some of the developmental supports that are currently funded by the NDIS for children who don’t have a formal disability diagnosis. However, this is still being worked out, and we’re in a bit of a “watch and wait” situation. States will need time to figure out how these programs will work, and which children will be eligible.
What this means for your child: If your child doesn’t have a formal diagnosis but still requires developmental support, foundational supports could become an option in the future. Keep an eye on updates as the state governments work out how they will roll out these services.
2. Gradual Implementation of New Funding Models
The transition to the new NDIS funding model will happen gradually over the next 18 months. This means that you’ll have time to adjust and make sure your child continues to receive the right support. Service providers, including allied health professionals, will also have time to adapt their services to fit the new system.
What this means for you: While these changes won’t happen overnight, it’s important to stay informed and plan ahead. By keeping in close communication with your child’s therapists and staying on top of new developments, you’ll be ready to navigate these changes smoothly.
3. New Framework Plans
Over the next five years, the NDIS will begin moving all participants to new framework plans that are based on more detailed needs assessments. The NDIS will use specific tools to assess what kind of support your child needs, and these new plans will be better tailored to meet those needs.
What this means for your child: While this change is still a little way off, it’s good to know that more personalised assessments are coming. This could mean a more tailored approach to your child’s support in the future.
What You Can Do Right Now
- Start Preparing Early
When it comes to NDIS reviews, it’s important to start gathering reports and evidence at least 4 months ahead of your child’s plan expiry. This gives you plenty of time to make sure your documentation is thorough and clearly shows how your child’s disability impacts their life.
- Book a Planning Session
If you’re unsure about how these changes will affect your child or need help preparing for their plan review, booking a planning session with your Early Childhood Partner or, if you are a Kids First family, with our NDIS coordinator Sonja Walker can be incredibly helpful.
- Stay Informed
Keep an eye on updates from the NDIS and your state government as the rollout of foundational supports progresses. This will help ensure that your child continues to get the support they need, whether through the NDIS or other services.
Final Thoughts
While the changes to the NDIS may seem overwhelming, especially for families with young children, it’s important to remember that these changes are being rolled out gradually. Preparing early, staying informed, and working closely with your child’s therapists will help ensure that they continue to receive the support they need. If you have any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re here to support you every step of the way.
References:
Department of Social Services. (2024). NDIS reforms. Australian Government. Retrieved from https://www.dss.gov.au/disability-and-carers-programs-services/ndis-reforms
