Updated on June 16, 2026
What Is a Plan Reassessment?
A plan reassessment is the formal process through which the NDIA reviews your current NDIS plan and determines whether changes are needed to the supports you receive (National Disability Insurance Agency [NDIA], 2026a). When your NDIS plan needs to change or you require a new one, the NDIA examines the information and evidence you provide to decide on the kinds of NDIS supports that should be included in your plan.
The reassessment process is designed to ensure your plan always meets your needs as your circumstances, goals, or disability support requirements change. It is a fundamental mechanism within the NDIS framework that allows for flexibility and responsiveness to participants’ evolving situations.
When Can You Request a Plan Reassessment?
One of the most important things to understand about plan reassessments is that you do not have to wait for your scheduled reassessment date to request changes to your plan. The NDIA typically conducts a plan reassessment in two main circumstances:
Your Situation Has Changed
There may be times in your life when your situation changes and your plan no longer meets your needs. You might require more, less, or different NDIS supports. Changes that might trigger a reassessment request include:
- A deterioration in your health or functional capacity
- New diagnoses or medical conditions
- Changes in your living arrangements
- Changes in your informal support network (such as a carer becoming unavailable)
- New goals or aspirations that require different supports
- Changes in your employment or education circumstances
When these changes occur, you can contact the NDIA to discuss the changes you think your plan needs. Importantly, you do not have to wait for your next check-in to request a reassessment.
Your Reassessment Date Is Approaching
The NDIA will typically check in with you approximately two to three months before your plan reassessment date. During this check-in, you can let them know if you need a new plan with different NDIS supports.
The 2026 Check-In Process
As part of the reforms introduced in 2026, the NDIA has implemented a new check-in process to improve communication with participants and ensure plans remain responsive to changing needs. The check-in is a proactive touchpoint where your my NDIS contact reaches out to you approximately two to three months before your plan reassessment date.
During the check-in, your my NDIS contact can:
- Discuss any changes in your circumstances
- Help you gather the information and evidence needed for a reassessment
- Explain what to expect during the reassessment process
- Answer questions about your current plan and supports
The check-in process is designed to be less formal than a full plan meeting and provides an opportunity for early intervention if issues are identified. This proactive approach aims to reduce the stress and uncertainty that participants previously experienced when approaching plan reassessment dates.
How to Gather Evidence for Your Reassessment
Gathering strong, relevant evidence is critical to a successful plan reassessment. The NDIA requires information and evidence to support any requested changes to your plan, and the type of evidence needed will depend on the reason you are requesting changes.
Types of Evidence
If your disability support needs have changed, you will need assessments, reports, or other evidence from your treating healthcare professionals, therapists, or support workers. Examples of valuable evidence include:
- Medical reports from specialists or general practitioners
- Allied health assessments (occupational therapy, physiotherapy, speech pathology, psychology)
- Functional capacity assessments
- Reports from support coordinators or support workers documenting changes in your needs
- Evidence of how you have used your current supports
- Documentation of new goals or changed circumstances
Tips for Gathering Evidence
- Start early: Begin collecting evidence as soon as you recognise that your needs have changed. Do not wait until your reassessment date is imminent.
- Be specific: Ensure your healthcare professionals understand what information the NDIA needs. Ask them to clearly document how your disability impacts your functional capacity and daily living.
- Provide detail: The NDIA uses the information and evidence you provide to decide if they can make the changes you are requesting. It is helpful to provide details of the change in your situation and comprehensive assessments or reports from your healthcare professionals.
- Get help: Your my NDIS contact can help you gather the information and evidence needed to reassess your plan. They may do this during your check-in if you have one.
What the NDIA Looks at During a Plan Reassessment
- Your current plan and NDIS supports: How you have used your existing supports and whether they have been effective
- The information and evidence you have provided: All documentation, reports, and assessments submitted
- Community and mainstream supports: How you use supports and services outside the NDIS
- The change you have requested: Whether the requested support is something the NDIS can fund under its rules
- Your plan as an overall package: How your NDIS supports work together to meet your needs
- Your goals: How your NDIS supports will help you work towards your goals
It is important to note that you can continue to use your current plan while the NDIA completes your reassessment. This ensures continuity of supports during the review process.
The Three Possible Outcomes
After completing a plan reassessment, there are three possible outcomes:
Outcome 1: Your Plan Does Not Need to Change
The information and evidence you have provided does not indicate that a change is needed to your plan. Alternatively, you may have asked for supports that the NDIS rules state cannot be funded. If this happens, the NDIA will explain their decision, and your current plan will continue.
If you disagree with this decision, you have the right to request an internal review of the decision.
Outcome 2: You Get a New Plan With Different NDIS Supports
If the NDIA determines that you need different supports, you will receive a new plan within 28 days. The NDIA will offer you a plan meeting where your NDIA planner will discuss the decisions they have made and the NDIS supports they have included in your plan.
This outcome typically occurs when there have been significant changes to your circumstances, needs, or goals that require a comprehensive review of your support package.
Outcome 3: You Get a Varied Plan
If your current plan is working for you and the NDIA believes it matches your situation, support needs, and goals, they can make changes to vary your plan without doing a full reassessment. This variation will be completed within 28 days.
A plan variation is typically used for minor adjustments to your plan, such as increasing funding in a particular support category or adding a new support that complements your existing package.
Plan Continuation: What Happens If Your Plan Is Not Reassessed in Time
If the NDIA does not reassess your plan before its reassessment date, your plan will continue for another 12 months. This is called a plan continuation.
Plan continuations are implemented to ensure you can keep accessing your NDIS supports while you wait for the NDIA to reassess your plan. Your continued plan will have:
- The same funding amounts in your core and capacity building budgets as your previous plan
- Any unspent funding for NDIS supports from your previous plan, which can still be used and will remain in the continued plan
You will receive a letter and a message in the participant portal and the my NDIS app if your plan has been continued. You do not need to take any action (NDIA, 2026a).
The I-CAN Assessment and July 2026 Reforms
The July 2026 reforms introduced significant changes to the NDIS assessment and planning processes. A key component of these reforms is the I-CAN assessment framework, which stands for Individualised, Comprehensive, Assessment of Needs.
The I-CAN assessment represents a shift towards more person-centred, holistic assessments that consider not only functional capacity but also environmental factors, personal goals, and the supports available from family, community, and mainstream services. This framework aims to address previous concerns about inconsistent decision-making and ensure that assessments are more transparent and participant-focused.
Under the 2026 reforms, the I-CAN assessment is integrated into the reassessment process, providing a structured approach to evaluating participants’ needs while maintaining flexibility to respond to individual circumstances. The reforms also emphasise the importance of early intervention and proactive support, which is reflected in the enhanced check-in process.
Tips for Getting a Successful Outcome
Be Proactive
Do not wait until your plan is no longer meeting your needs to request a reassessment. If you notice changes in your circumstances or support requirements, contact the NDIA as soon as possible.
Provide Comprehensive Evidence
The quality and comprehensiveness of your evidence significantly impact the outcome of your reassessment. Ensure all reports and assessments clearly link your disability to your functional capacity and support needs.
Focus on Functional Impact
The NDIA is interested in how your disability affects your ability to undertake daily activities and participate in your community. Ensure your evidence clearly demonstrates functional impact rather than just medical diagnoses.
Link Supports to Goals
Clearly articulate how the supports you are requesting will help you work towards your goals. The NDIA considers how supports contribute to your overall plan and goal achievement.
Keep Records
Maintain detailed records of how you use your current supports, including any gaps or challenges you have experienced. This information can be valuable evidence during a reassessment.
Seek Support
Consider engaging a support coordinator or plan manager who can help you navigate the reassessment process, gather evidence, and communicate effectively with the NDIA.
Understand NDIS Rules
Familiarise yourself with what the NDIS can and cannot fund. This will help you frame your requests appropriately and avoid disappointment.
Be Clear and Specific
When communicating with the NDIA, be clear and specific about what changes you need and why. Vague requests are less likely to be successful.
How Centre Disability Support Can Help
Navigating the NDIS plan reassessment process can be overwhelming, particularly when you are managing your disability and daily life. Centre Disability Support is an NDIS registered organisation with extensive experience helping participants achieve successful plan reassessment outcomes.
Our team understands the intricacies of the NDIS system, including the 2026 reforms and the I-CAN assessment framework. We can assist you with:
- Evidence gathering: We work with you and your healthcare professionals to compile comprehensive, relevant evidence that clearly demonstrates your support needs.
- Application preparation: We help you prepare your reassessment request, ensuring all necessary information is included and clearly presented.
- NDIA liaison: We can communicate with the NDIA on your behalf, advocating for your needs and ensuring your voice is heard.
- Plan review: We analyse your current plan and identify areas where changes may be needed to better meet your goals.
- Support coordination: Our support coordinators can help you implement your new or varied plan and connect with appropriate service providers.
- Appeals and reviews: If you disagree with a reassessment decision, we can assist with the internal review process.
Phone: 1300 433 661
Email: [email protected]
Let us help you navigate the NDIS with confidence and achieve the outcomes you deserve.
RELATED ARTICLES
What is the I-CAN Assessment and How Do I Prepare for It?
NDIS Changes July 2026: What Every Participant Needs to Know
Am I Eligible for the NDIS? The Complete 2026 Eligibility Checklist
References
- National Disability Insurance Agency. (2026a, June 3). What is a plan reassessment. https://www.ndis.gov.au/participants/changing-your-plan/types-plan-changes/what-plan-reassessment
