NDIS New Framework Planning: What Actually Happened on 1 July 2026
The testing phase has begun — but the rollout has not
Disclaimer: This article reflects publicly available information as at 2 July 2026, including the NDIA's official website update of 1 July 2026. NDIS policy is subject to ongoing development. This article is for general information only and does not constitute disability support, legal, or financial advice. For personalised guidance, contact the NDIA on 1800 800 110 or speak with your Support Coordinator.
If you checked the NDIS website on 1 July 2026 expecting something to have changed — or if you have been trying to work out whether the new planning framework has actually started — you are not alone.
The date had been circulating for months. Some sources said July 2026 was when everything would begin. Others were already saying April 2027. The confusion was understandable.
Here is what actually happened.
What the NDIA Confirmed on 1 July 2026
On 1 July 2026, the NDIA updated its official website with two pieces of confirmed information:
1. The rollout remains April 2027
The new planning framework — which uses the I-CAN v6 support needs assessment as its central tool — will begin its staged rollout from 1 April 2027 for participants aged 16 and over. This date was originally announced in April 2026 and has not changed.
2. A voluntary paid testing programme has opened
From July 2026, the NDIA is inviting NDIS participants to help test the new planning process before it goes live. The NDIA's own language on this is clear:
"Testing helps us find issues early so we can improve the process before rollout from April 2027."
This testing is:
- Voluntary — you choose whether to participate
- Paid — participants receive compensation for their time
- Non-consequential — it will not change your current NDIS plan, funding, supports, or eligibility in any way
- Open until 31 December 2026 — expressions of interest remain open through the end of the year
Why Were Some People Expecting Changes on 1 July 2026?
The July 2026 date had been widely cited — including by advocacy organisations, disability support providers, and some government communications — as the expected start of the new framework.
That expectation was accurate as of late 2024 and early 2025, when mid-2026 was still the NDIA's active target. However, in April 2026, the NDIA officially pushed the rollout back to 1 April 2027, citing the need for more time to test the new rules and processes before asking participants to transition.
Not every source updated quickly after that announcement. And because the NDIS is undergoing several parallel reforms — including mandatory provider registration changes, Thriving Kids, and the legislative process around the Future Generations Bill — it can be difficult to keep track of which date applies to which reform.
The clearest way to check: ndis.gov.au is the authoritative source. As of 1 July 2026, the official position is that new framework planning rollout begins April 2027.
The Full Timeline, Updated as of 2 July 2026
| Date | What is happening |
|---|---|
| July – December 2026 | Voluntary paid testing programme open to NDIS participants. Apply at NDIS Engage. |
| August 2026 | NDIS Senate inquiry final report due (14 August) — relates to the Future Generations Bill, a separate legislative track |
| 1 October 2026 | Thriving Kids programme begins (for children aged 0–8 with low-to-moderate developmental needs — a separate programme, not I-CAN v6) |
| 1 April 2027 | New framework planning staged rollout begins for participants aged 16 and over |
| July 2027 onwards | Transition expected to open for participants under 16 |
| 1 January 2028 | New eligibility boundary rules apply to new applicants, per the government's published reform timeline |
| By 2 October 2029 | All participants aged 16 and over to have transitioned to new framework planning |
What This Means for You Right Now
Your plan is not changing
Your current NDIS plan remains fully active. The NDIA will not make changes to your plan as a result of anything that happened on 1 July 2026. You will be contacted directly — with advance notice — before anything changes for you.
The testing programme is optional and worth knowing about
If you want to be part of shaping how the new process works — and you are comfortable participating in a test environment — the NDIA's testing programme is a genuine opportunity. It is paid, voluntary, and explicitly designed to give the NDIA real-world feedback before the April 2027 rollout.
To apply, visit NDIS Engage. Expressions of interest are open until 31 December 2026.
The preparation window is still open
Between now and April 2027, participants who take time to understand the I-CAN v6 framework — and to practise describing their support needs across the 12 domains — will be meaningfully better positioned when their assessment does arrive.
The I-CAN v6 assessment is a structured conversation about your daily life: what you can do independently, what you need help with, how often, and what happens when that support is not available. The more clearly you can articulate this, the more accurately the assessment can capture your needs.
Helpful to know: You do not need to wait for the NDIA to contact you to start preparing. Recording how your disability affects a typical week — across areas like self-care, mobility, communication, and community participation — is useful preparation regardless of when your assessment is scheduled.
What ICANReady Is Here For
ICANReady was built specifically for this preparation phase. You describe your daily experience across the 12 I-CAN v6 domains, and ICANReady uses AI to help you shape that into a structured preparation document — written in the language assessors use, covering the areas the assessment will focus on.
Whether your assessment is months or years away, starting now means you will not be starting from scratch when the time comes.
Related Reading
- NDIS I-CAN v6 Rollout: Is It Delayed Again? The Full Timeline
- What is the NDIS I-CAN v6 Assessment?
- NDIS Reform Bill: Deal Reached and Interim Report, June 2026
- The 12 I-CAN Domains Explained
Sources: NDIS — New way of planning (updated 1 July 2026), NDIS Engage — Help test the new way of planning. For the most current information, visit ndis.gov.au or contact the NDIA on 1800 800 110.
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