NDIS I-CAN v6 FAQs
The questions everyone is asking — answered clearly
Note: This article reflects publicly available information as at August 2026. The I-CAN v6 new planning framework commences its staged rollout from 1 April 2027. Information may be updated as the NDIA releases further details. Visit ndis.gov.au for the most current official information.
About the I-CAN v6 Itself
What is the I-CAN v6?
The I-CAN v6 — Instrument for the Classification and Assessment of Support Needs, version 6 — is the support needs assessment tool developed by the Centre for Disability Studies (CDS) at the University of Sydney. It is the tool the NDIA has selected to assess participant support needs under the new planning framework.
It measures functional support needs across 12 life domains using a structured conversation with an accredited assessor. The results directly inform how NDIS plans are constructed and funded.
Why is the NDIS changing to the I-CAN v6?
The change is part of the NDIS's most significant reform in a decade. The previous system relied on varied assessment approaches, leading to inconsistent outcomes — participants with similar support needs in different parts of Australia often received very different funding. The I-CAN v6 is designed to produce more consistent, equitable outcomes by applying the same standardised framework across all assessors and all jurisdictions.
Is the I-CAN v6 the same thing that CDS uses clinically?
Almost. The NDIA uses a customised version of the CDS I-CAN v6 that includes additional modules not publicly available. The publicly available CDS clinical version is the closest authoritative reference. ICANReady is based on the CDS public version, which is the best available guide to the assessment framework.
Who Gets Assessed, and When
When does the I-CAN v6 start?
The new planning framework begins its staged rollout from 1 April 2027 for participants aged 16 and over. Participants under 16 are expected to follow no earlier than July 2027. The transition is staged — not everyone moves at once.
How will I know when it is my turn?
The NDIA will contact you in advance of when your plan review will fall under the new framework. You do not need to do anything immediately. Your current plan remains fully valid until you are contacted.
Do all existing NDIS participants get reassessed?
Existing participants will encounter the new framework at their next scheduled plan review after the rollout begins. There will be no mass reassessment — the transition happens participant by participant, at the point of each person's scheduled review.
Does the I-CAN v6 apply to children?
Yes, eventually. The initial rollout is for participants aged 16 and over from April 2027. Children under 16 are expected to transition no earlier than July 2027, and the rollout for children will be staged as well.
Will new NDIS applicants be assessed under the I-CAN v6?
Yes, from April 2027. New applicants from that date will be assessed under the new framework as part of their initial access and plan process.
The Assessment Process
Who conducts the I-CAN v6 assessment?
An accredited, independent assessor — typically an occupational therapist, psychologist, physiotherapist, speech pathologist, or social worker who has been specifically trained and accredited by the NDIA to conduct I-CAN v6 assessments. The assessor is independent of the NDIA in conducting the assessment.
How long does the assessment take?
Typically 60 to 90 minutes. For participants with complex needs, it may take longer or be conducted across more than one session. Reasonable adjustments — such as extended time, split sessions, or use of communication supports — can be requested in advance.
Is the assessment free?
Yes. The I-CAN v6 assessment is funded by the NDIA. There is no cost to participants or carers.
Where does the assessment take place?
The assessment can be conducted in your home, a community setting, a clinical environment, or via telehealth. You can request a familiar setting (such as your home) in advance, particularly if unfamiliar environments create significant anxiety or affect your presentation.
Can I bring a support person?
Yes. You are entitled to bring a support person — a family member, carer, Support Coordinator, or advocate. Their presence provides comfort and, importantly, their observations can contribute to the assessment.
Can I prepare material in advance to give the assessor?
Yes — and this is one of the most valuable things you can do. A written preparation document covering all 12 I-CAN domains, describing how your disability affects your daily life in each area, gives the assessor information that a conversation alone cannot reliably capture. ICANReady is designed specifically to help you build this kind of document.
The 12 Domains and the 1–5 Scale
What are the 12 I-CAN v6 domains?
- Mobility
- Domestic Life
- Self Care
- Community, Social & Civic Life
- Communication
- Learning & Applying Knowledge
- General Tasks and Demands
- Life Long Learning
- Interpersonal Interactions & Relationships
- Behaviours of Concern
- Mental & Emotional Health
- Physical Health
What do the levels 1 to 5 mean?
- Level 1 — Minimal support needs: The person manages independently or with very occasional minimal assistance.
- Level 2 — Low support needs: Some assistance needed for specific tasks or periodically.
- Level 3 — Moderate support needs: Regular assistance required. Without support, functioning is significantly impaired.
- Level 4 — High support needs: Substantial daily assistance required across most activities in this domain.
- Level 5 — Very high support needs: Continuous or near-continuous assistance required.
Each domain is rated independently. Most people have different ratings across domains — some needs are significant, others are minimal. The funding in your plan reflects the domains where your needs are at Level 2 and above.
Is a higher level always better?
A higher level means more support needs — and typically more funding for that domain. But the goal is accuracy, not maximising the number. The assessment should reflect your genuine functioning. Overstating needs can create problems in future reviews; understating them means you may not receive the support you genuinely require.
Your Results and Rights
Can I see my I-CAN v6 assessment report?
Yes. Under the new framework, you are entitled to receive a copy of the assessment report. You should receive it after the assessment, with time to review it before your plan is finalised.
What if my assessment report doesn't accurately reflect my situation?
Raise any concerns at the implementation meeting — the structured meeting between you and the NDIA to discuss how the plan has been built. If issues are not resolved there, you have the right to request an internal review of the NDIA's decision. Internal review must be requested within 3 months of receiving the decision. See our detailed guide: Your Rights During the NDIS I-CAN v6 Assessment Process.
What if I disagree with the plan that results from the assessment?
The plan is built from the assessment results. If you believe the plan does not accurately reflect your support needs — even if the assessment report is reasonably accurate — you can raise concerns at the implementation meeting and request an internal review. The review right applies to the NDIA decision (the plan), not only to the assessment itself.
What happens to my current plan while the review is underway?
Your current plan remains in effect while an internal review or AAT (Administrative Review Tribunal) appeal is in progress. Your supports are not cut during a review process.
Preparation
Do I need a Support Coordinator to prepare?
No — preparation does not require a Support Coordinator. ICANReady and our preparation guides are designed for participants and carers to use independently. However, if you have a Support Coordinator, engaging them in your preparation is highly recommended — they can help you work through domains, identify evidence gaps, and brief you on what to expect.
What is the most important thing I can do to prepare?
Understand the 12 domains and practice describing how your disability affects each one. Be specific: not "I struggle with daily tasks" but "I cannot safely use the stovetop independently because of seizure risk, and have required kitchen supervision every day for the past three years." Specificity is what makes preparation effective.
How far in advance should I start preparing?
The more time the better. A four-week daily diary before your assessment provides specific, recent evidence. Understanding the domains and beginning to think about your situation takes time — start now, well before you receive any contact from the NDIA about your upcoming review.
How Is I-CAN v6 Different from a Functional Capacity Assessment?
This is one of the most common questions from participants who have been through the NDIS system previously, because Functional Capacity Assessments (FCAs) were widely used under the old planning framework.
What is a Functional Capacity Assessment?
FCAs were conducted by individual allied health professionals — typically occupational therapists — and provided a clinical assessment of a participant's functional capacity. They were submitted to the NDIA as supporting evidence for plan decisions, but were not standardised: different assessors, different tools, and different approaches often produced very different outcomes for participants with comparable needs.
What is different about the I-CAN v6?
| Feature | Functional Capacity Assessment (old) | I-CAN v6 (new) |
|---|---|---|
| Who conducts it | Individual allied health professional (e.g., OT) | Accredited assessor trained specifically in I-CAN |
| Standardisation | No standard tool — varied significantly between assessors | Standardised tool applied consistently across all assessors |
| Role in planning | Supporting evidence submitted alongside other information | Central to the planning decision — directly informs plan structure |
| Domains | Varied by assessor and approach | 12 fixed life domains, same for all participants |
| Participant cost | Often funded from Capacity Building budget | Fully funded by NDIA — no cost to participant |
| Report access | Not always provided to participants | Participants entitled to receive the report |
What this means for participants:
If you have had FCAs done previously, those reports may still be useful as background supporting evidence for your I-CAN v6 assessment. However, they are not a substitute for the new assessment — they will be considered alongside the I-CAN v6 assessor's findings, not instead of them.
The key shift is that the I-CAN v6 replaces a varied, clinician-led approach with a standardised, assessor-led process that should produce more consistent outcomes across the country. For a detailed comparison, see our dedicated article: I-CAN v6 vs Functional Capacity Assessment — What's Actually Changing.
On the Assessment Day
Can I bring someone with me to the assessment?
Yes. You are entitled to bring a support person — a family member, carer, Support Coordinator, or disability advocate. Their presence can provide comfort and, importantly, their observations can contribute to the assessment. The support person should not answer questions on your behalf, but can provide context after you have spoken and can flag if anything has been misunderstood. For participants with communication difficulties or cognitive disability, a familiar support person is strongly recommended.
What if I am too unwell to complete the assessment on the day?
Contact the assessor or the NDIA as soon as possible if you are unwell and cannot complete the assessment. Assessments can be rescheduled. It is far better to reschedule than to push through an assessment when you are not at your functional best — particularly if your condition means you present very differently on a bad day. When you reschedule, you can also request any accommodations that would help on the rescheduled day.
Is the I-CAN v6 assessment the same as the Thriving Kids assessment?
No. They are entirely separate programs. The I-CAN v6 is the support needs assessment tool used within the NDIS for determining participant plan funding. Thriving Kids is a separate government program designed to provide early intervention supports for children aged 8 and under with mild-to-moderate developmental delays and autism — and it sits outside the NDIS entirely. Children who are current NDIS participants are not part of the Thriving Kids program, and Thriving Kids does not use the I-CAN v6 assessment tool.
How much does the I-CAN v6 assessment cost?
The I-CAN v6 assessment is fully funded by the NDIA. There is no cost to participants or carers. You do not need to use any of your NDIS plan funding to pay for the assessment — it is covered separately by the agency as part of the planning process.
ICANReady guides you through all 12 I-CAN domains, helps you build a structured preparation document in plain language, and generates a PDF you can bring to your assessment.
For the most current official information about the I-CAN v6 assessment, visit ndis.gov.au. For independent advice and advocacy, contact Disability Advocacy Network Australia (DANA).
Frequently asked questions
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