NDIS Plan Management Changes 2027: What You Need to Know

The Australian Government plans to introduce a new panel of approved plan managers. This means participants will eventually need to choose a plan manager from the approved list. 

No. 

You can keep using your current plan manager under today's rules. 

Here's what's changing, when it may affect you and what you need to know. 

The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) plans to introduce a panel of approved plan managers from 1 October 2027. 

Plan managers will need to meet new standards to join the panel. 

The changes aim to improve: 

• The quality of plan management services. 
• How participant information is protected. 
• How invoices and claims are checked. 
• How plan managers are monitored. 
• How the NDIS prevents fraud and incorrect claims. 

New legislation also introduces a formal agreement between plan managers and the NDIA, called a deed of arrangement. 

The deed will set standards for how plan managers operate, including their systems, staff, claims and reporting. 

You can read more on the NDIS website about changes to plan management. 

Yes, but your choice will be limited to plan managers on the approved panel once the new system is fully in place. The NDIA has not yet announced which plan managers will be selected. 

If your current plan manager joins the panel, you may be able to stay with them. If they are not selected, you will need to move to an approved provider. 

The NDIA says participants will receive support during this change. 

The new panel's purpose is to give participants access to plan managers who meet higher standards for service, quality and accountability.

Kismet Healthcare intends to apply to join the approved panel so we can continue supporting our participants through these changes.

The NDIA updated its plan management reform timeline on 20 October 2026.

From October 2026

The NDIA will explain the expected changes to plan management and how they may affect participants and providers.

From April 2027

The NDIA will publish an approach to market for the new plan management panel on the NDIS Engage website.

Plan managers who want to join the panel will need to apply. The NDIA will publish the requirements they must meet.

From June 2027

The application process will close. The NDIA will assess applications and notify plan managers of the outcomes.

From 1 October 2027

The new plan management panel will begin.

There will be a six-month transition period. Participants whose current plan manager is not selected will receive support to move to a provider on the panel.

From April 2028

The transition period will end. Participants who use plan management will need to use a plan manager on the approved panel.

These dates reflect the NDIA's current published timeline and may change.

Read the official NDIS plan management changes page for the latest information.

The timeline was revised following the NDIA's 20 October announcement

The NDIA recently shared information about Australia's plan management market with an Australian Senate committee. 

During the 2025–26 financial year: 

• 1,584 plan managers were active. 
• 922 plan managers received less than $50,000 in plan management fees. 
• Nine plan managers received more than $10 million in plan management fees. 

These figures show that Australia's plan management market includes a small number of large businesses and many smaller providers. 

The NDIA also provided information about claims and compliance concerns in the sector. 

Important: A flagged claim or compliance concern does not automatically mean fraud has occurred. 

You can read the findings in The Scheme Brief's report on the NDIA's Senate answers. 

The new plan management arrangements do not, by themselves, reduce your NDIS support budget. They change how plan management services will be approved and delivered. 

Other NDIS funding reforms are happening separately. You should continue to follow the funding and rules in your current plan. 

For more information, see the NDIS explanation of the new laws and upcoming changes. 

If your plan manager is not selected for the new panel, you will need to choose an approved provider. The NDIA plans to give participants six months to make this change. 

The full process for moving participants between plan managers has not yet been announced. 

For now, there is no need to switch simply because these reforms are coming. 

For most participants, there's nothing urgent to do. 

You can: 

1. Keep using your current plan manager if you're happy with their service. 
2. Watch for updates from the NDIA. 
3. Ask your plan manager how they're preparing for the changes. 
4. Check your funding and make sure you can easily understand your invoices. 
5. You can subscribe to our newsletter to receive up to date information in your inbox. Click "subscribe" here.

A good plan manager should help you understand your funding, answer questions and manage eligible provider payments. 

The NDIA is expected to provide more information as the new panel is developed. 

We're still waiting to learn: 

• Which plan managers will be approved. 
• How participants will be notified. 
• How changing providers will work. 
• What support participants will receive during the transition. 

We'll update this article as more information becomes available. 

You can follow official announcements on the NDIS changes to plan management page.