What is the NDIS I-CAN v6 Assessment?
A plain-language guide for participants and carers
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and reflects publicly available information about the I-CAN v6 framework developed by the Centre for Disability Studies (CDS). The NDIA uses a customised version of I-CAN v6 for the NDIS Support Needs Assessment, which has not been fully published. This guide reflects the closest publicly available reference and may differ from the NDIA's final implementation. It does not constitute professional disability support advice.
⚠️ Timeline Update — June 2026
When this article was published, the I-CAN v6 rollout was scheduled for mid-2026. The timeline has since changed — some sources now indicate the new framework may commence from 1 April 2027, though an official confirmed date has not yet been announced by the NDIA. The core information in this article remains accurate. Visit the NDIA website for the latest details.
If you or someone you care for is an NDIS participant, you have likely been hearing more about the I-CAN v6 assessment throughout 2025 and 2026. The NDIA is introducing a new way to measure support needs — and understanding what it involves before your assessment date can make a significant difference to your outcome.
This guide breaks down exactly what the I-CAN v6 assessment is, why it is being introduced, who it affects, and what happens on the day.
What is the NDIS?
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is Australia's system of support for people with a permanent and significant disability. Managed by the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA), the scheme funds reasonable and necessary supports to help participants live more independently and participate in their community.
As of 2026, the NDIS supports approximately 760,000 Australians with disability. Alongside that growth, the scheme has undergone significant reform — including a complete overhaul of how participant support needs are assessed.
What is the I-CAN Assessment?
The I-CAN assessment is the NDIS's new standardised framework for measuring a participant's functional capacity and support needs. It replaces earlier, more subjective approaches to determining what supports a person requires.
Rather than relying solely on diagnostic reports or professional opinions, the I-CAN tool uses a structured, standardised assessment conducted by a trained assessor. It looks at how a person's disability actually affects their day-to-day functioning across 12 specific life domains.
The tool draws on the internationally recognised International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF), developed by the World Health Organisation (WHO). This means the assessment is grounded in a globally accepted framework for understanding disability and functional capacity.
What Does "v6" Mean?
"v6" refers to version 6 of the I-CAN framework. The assessment tool has been developed and refined over several iterations. Version 6 represents the most current implementation, incorporating feedback from participants, carers, allied health professionals, and disability organisations across Australia.
Key improvements in v6 include:
- More refined domain descriptors that better capture the full range of support needs
- Stronger alignment with the ICF framework
- Improved consistency across different assessors and geographic regions
- Better support for complex and multiple disability presentations
Why Is a New Assessment Approach Being Introduced?
The NDIS Review, published in 2023, identified significant inconsistency in how support needs were being assessed across the scheme. Participants with similar needs often received very different funding levels — depending on where they lived, which assessor conducted the evaluation, or how their supporting evidence was framed.
The 2023 NDIS Review ("Working Together to Deliver the NDIS") made a clear recommendation: establish a consistent, functional assessment framework to improve fairness and predictability for participants.
The I-CAN v6 assessment is the NDIA's response to this recommendation. It is designed to ensure that two participants with comparable support needs — regardless of their location, diagnosis, or who assesses them — arrive at comparable funding outcomes.
Who Needs an I-CAN v6 Assessment?
From 1 April 2027, the I-CAN v6 assessment will apply to participants aged 16 and over under the new planning framework. The rollout is staged — not everyone transitions at once. The NDIA will contact you directly before anything changes for your plan.
Note for carers and family members: If you support an NDIS participant, this assessment also affects you. Understanding the domains and how to document support needs is important preparation for the process.
Who Conducts the I-CAN Assessment?
Under the NDIS Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Act 2026, the legal requirements for who can conduct an I-CAN v6 assessment have changed significantly from what was originally anticipated.
What changed with the August 2026 law:
The new Act changed the language from requiring assessors to "identify" a participant's disability and support needs (a clinical determination) to only requiring them to "include information about" those needs. In practical terms, this means:
- Professional registration is not required — published job advertisements for Support Needs Assessors confirm that "active professional registration is not required"
- The assessor's role is to enter information into the structured I-CAN interview system; the algorithm then makes the funding determination
- There is no professional disciplinary pathway if an assessor who is not registered makes an error
This is different from earlier expectations that assessments would be conducted exclusively by registered allied health professionals. Assessors may have backgrounds in counselling, social work, or education — but professional registration and the accountability structures that come with it are not a legal requirement.
What this means for you: The quality of the information you bring to the assessment, and the thoroughness of your supporting evidence, becomes even more important when the assessor's role is primarily to accurately record your responses rather than to exercise independent clinical judgement.
The assessment is still funded by the NDIA — there is no direct cost to you.
What Happens During an I-CAN v6 Assessment?
The confirmed assessment process is a structured interview of up to three hours. Your responses are entered into the I-CAN system, which generates a support needs rating across the 12 domains. That rating then feeds into an algorithm that calculates your plan budget.
The process typically involves:
-
A structured interview (up to 3 hours) — the assessor asks standardised questions about your daily functioning across the 12 domains. The questions are structured: they are not a freeform conversation. How you describe your situation within those structured questions matters significantly.
-
A review of supporting evidence — your treating specialists' reports, therapy records, hospital letters, and other documentation are considered alongside your responses.
-
A functional capacity rating — based on your interview responses, your support needs across each domain are rated on a standardised scale.
-
Algorithmic budget calculation — the ratings are fed into an algorithm that calculates your plan budget. Importantly, NDIA staff have no authority to change the budget the algorithm produces. The algorithm is the decision-maker for the dollar figure.
The assessment may be conducted in your home, at a community setting, or via telehealth, depending on your situation.
Preparation matters more than ever. Because the assessor is recording your answers to structured questions — not independently assessing your condition — the quality and specificity of what you say directly determines your domain ratings. Vague or incomplete answers cannot be supplemented by the assessor's clinical judgement.
What Happens After the Assessment?
After the assessment:
- The assessor submits their report to the NDIA.
- The NDIA's algorithm uses the domain ratings to calculate your plan budget.
- A planning delegate reviews the output and builds your plan.
- You have an implementation meeting with the NDIA to discuss how the plan has been constructed from the assessment results. This is your opportunity to raise concerns before the plan is finalised.
- You receive a new or revised NDIS plan.
About challenging the outcome: If you disagree, you can request an internal review. Under the August 2026 law changes, the Administrative Review Tribunal's ability to directly override I-CAN v6 budget decisions is limited — it can order a reassessment but cannot directly substitute a different funding amount. Internal review and strong evidence remain your most important tools. See our detailed guide: What to Do If Your I-CAN v6 Outcome Doesn't Reflect Your Needs.
When Does I-CAN v6 Start?
Updated 30 September 2026: The timeline below reflects the confirmed rollout schedule following passage of the NDIS Amendment Act 2026 (Royal Assent 20 August 2026). Some earlier phases are already in effect.
| Date | What is happening |
|---|---|
| 27 August 2026 | First wave of new law in effect — new plan review powers, record-keeping requirements, integrity measures |
| 1 October 2026 | Social, Economic and Community Participation budgets reduced by up to 50%, and Improved Daily Living Skills budgets reduced, as plans are created or reassessed |
| 1 February 2027 | The reduced budgets apply when existing plans are renewed |
| 1 April 2027 | I-CAN v6 staged rollout begins for participants aged 16 and over |
| January 2028 | New eligibility criteria apply for new NDIS applicants |
| 1 July 2028 | New NDIS Support Coordination and Connection Service launches |
| 2028–2031 | Current participants progressively reassessed against the new eligibility criteria |
| By 2 October 2029 | All participants aged 16 and over transitioned to the new planning framework |
Your current plan remains fully active. No action is required until the NDIA contacts you directly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the I-CAN v6 assessment replacing my current NDIS plan?
No. The I-CAN v6 assessment is about how your support needs are measured when your plan is reviewed. It does not immediately cancel or replace your current plan. Your existing plan remains in place until your next scheduled review — and the new framework does not begin until April 2027.
Will I have to pay for the assessment?
No. I-CAN v6 assessments are funded by the NDIA. There is no direct cost to participants or carers.
Can I bring a support person to the assessment?
Yes. You are entitled to have a support person — such as a carer, family member, or Support Coordinator — present during the assessment. Their input and observations can be valuable. If you have communication support needs, request accommodations in advance through the NDIA or your Support Coordinator.
What if I disagree with the assessment outcome?
If you believe the assessment does not accurately reflect your support needs, you can raise concerns at the implementation meeting, request an internal review through the NDIA, and further appeal to the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART) if needed. Under the August 2026 law changes, the ART's power to directly override I-CAN v6 budget decisions is limited — thorough preparation and strong evidence going into the assessment is your most powerful protection.
Do assessors have to be registered health professionals?
Under the NDIS Amendment Act 2026, professional registration is not a legal requirement for Support Needs Assessors. Assessors enter your responses into the structured I-CAN system; the algorithm makes the budget determination. This makes the quality of your documented evidence and your preparation for the structured interview critically important.
Do I need to prepare anything before my assessment?
Yes — preparation is more important under the new framework than under any previous NDIS assessment approach. The structured interview records your responses; what you say determines your domain ratings. Read our companion guides:
- How to prepare for your I-CAN v6 assessment — a step-by-step guide
- How to describe your support needs for the NDIS
- NDIS I-CAN v6 preparation checklist
Sources: NDIS Review Final Report 2023, NDIA website — Support needs assessment, NDIS Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Act 2026, WHO International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health
Frequently asked questions
Get ready
Prepare for your I-CAN v6 assessment
The timeline has changed — but preparation still matters. Participants whose plans come up for review may already be assessed under the new framework.
ICANReady guides you through all 12 domains in plain language and generates a structured document in under 20 minutes.
Try ICANReady free — no credit card required