In August 2024, changes to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) Act introduced a new approach to how the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) makes funding decisions. This updated approach is called New Framework Planning.
The NDIA is now inviting participants and representatives to provide feedback on this new planning approach through the New Framework Planning Pool.
This article explains what has changed, what the planning pool is, and how participants can express interest.
New Framework Planning is the NDIA’s updated approach to planning and funding decisions under the NDIS.
Following legislative changes to the NDIS Act in August 2024, the NDIA introduced this framework to support clearer funding decisions and improve how plans are structured and used.
The NDIA has stated that the new approach is designed to make funding in participant plans easier to use and better suited to individual needs.
The NDIA is creating a group of participants and representatives who can provide feedback on New Framework Planning. This group is referred to as a “pool.”
If you join the pool, you may be invited to participate in activities such as:
Providing feedback on planning experiences
Testing tools and resources
Contributing to inclusive service guidelines
Sharing perspectives from different plan management types
Identifying areas for improvement
Participation is voluntary. Individuals can choose which activities to participate in and may leave the pool at any time.
According to the NDIA, these are paid engagement opportunities.
The pool will operate from October 2025 through to the end of 2026, with some engagement activities planned for December 2025 and early 2026.
More information is available on the NDIA Engage page:
https://engage.ndis.gov.au/projects/new-framework-planning-pool
The NDIA is seeking expressions of interest from:
NDIS participants
Plan nominees
Child representatives
The NDIA has indicated it is particularly interested in hearing from people with diverse experiences, including:
People with different types of disability
People who use supported decision-making
Participants using different plan management types
First Nations people
People from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) communities
LGBTQIASB+ people
Individuals with concerns or experiences relating to fairness, integrity, or fraud
There are two steps to express interest:
Step 1: Join Participant First
You must be a member of Participant First before applying to the planning pool.
Step 2: Apply to the New Framework Planning Pool
Once you are a Participant First member, you can apply to join the pool via the NDIA Engage website.
Participants can also use the “Follow” function on the page to receive updates.
The introduction of New Framework Planning reflects legislative changes to the NDIS Act and the NDIA’s ongoing work to refine planning processes.
At this stage, the NDIA is seeking participant feedback to help shape how the framework is implemented in practice.
Joining the planning pool does not change a participant’s current plan. It is an opportunity to contribute feedback to inform future improvements.
Changes to planning processes can raise questions, particularly if you are approaching a plan reassessment or review.
Support Agency provides:
If you would like assistance understanding how planning processes apply to your circumstances, our team can provide guidance based on current NDIA information and Operational Guidelines.
For more information, contact us today.