At Quality Living and Support Services (QLSS), we want to keep participants and families informed about changes that may affect their supports.
The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) has announced changes to some NDIS support budgets as part of the new NDIS laws. These changes came into effect on 1 October and will be applied when plans are reassessed, created, or renewed over the coming months.
What is changing?
The NDIA has advised that funding for the following support budget categories will be reduced:
- Social, Economic and Community Participation
- Improved Daily Living Skills
These are the funding categories that commonly include community access, social participation and some capacity-building supports.
How could this affect me?
For some participants, these changes may result in lower funding available for:
- Community access supports
- Social and recreational activities
- Transport-related support costs associated with community participation
- Support worker hours used for community-based activities
- Certain skill-building supports funded through these categories
The impact will be different for every participant because NDIS plans are based on individual goals, circumstances and support needs.
What supports are NOT affected?
The NDIA has confirmed that many essential supports will not be impacted by these budget reductions, including:
- Personal care supports
- Assistance with daily living
- Help with eating, drinking and personal hygiene
- Cleaning and household tasks
- Medication support
- Nursing supports
- Home modifications
- Vehicle modifications
- Mobility equipment
- Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA)
- Various high-intensity and disability-related health supports
The purpose of these changes is not to reduce funding for essential day-to-day supports that participants rely on.
What this means for QLSS participants
If your NDIS plan funding changes, QLSS may need to adjust the level of community access support we provide to ensure services remain within your approved NDIS budget.
This could include:
- Changes to the number of community access hours provided
- Changes to the frequency of outings
- Changes to support worker shifts connected to community participation
- Adjustments to transport and kilometre-based supports
We understand that community access is an important part of living an independent and meaningful life. If changes to your plan affect your services, we will work with you, your family and your Support Coordinator to understand your options and minimise disruption wherever possible.
What should I do?
If you are concerned about how these changes may affect you:
- Speak with your Support Coordinator as a priority.
- Review your new plan budget when it is issued.
- Contact QLSS if you would like to discuss how your current supports may be impacted.
- Advise your Support Coordinator if your circumstances or support needs have significantly changed.
The NDIA has stated that participants can still request plan changes in certain situations where there has been a significant and ongoing change to their circumstances or support needs.
We’re Here to Support You
We understand this news may be concerning for some participants and families.
QLSS remains committed to helping you get the most value from your NDIS funding while continuing to support your independence, community participation and quality of life.
If you have any questions, please contact our team.
For the full NDIS announcement visit https://ndis.gov.au/news/11695-changes-support-budgets-1-october
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Why are we sharing this information now?
Several participants and providers have recently seen a notice appear in the NDIS My Place Portal advising that participant budgets for Social, Economic and Community Participation and Improved Daily Living Skills will be reduced under the new NDIS funding arrangements. These are the budget categories that commonly fund community access, social participation activities and some skill-building supports.
As a result of this notice, we understand many participants and families may have questions about how these changes could affect their current supports. While the budget reductions will be applied progressively as plans are created, reassessed or renewed, QLSS wanted to provide early information so participants, families and carers are aware of the changes and can begin discussions with their Support Coordinator if needed.
We know that community access is an important part of many participants’ lives, helping people stay connected, build independence and participate in their local community. If funding in these categories is reduced in a participant’s plan, it may affect the amount of community access support that can be delivered under their available NDIS funding. QLSS will work closely with participants, families and Support Coordinators to understand any changes and support participants through the transition.
Is QLSS reducing my support hours?
Not automatically.
Any changes will depend on the funding included in your NDIS plan. If your new plan contains less funding for community participation supports, we may need to work with you and your Support Coordinator to adjust services so they stay within your approved budget.
Why are my community access hours being reduced?
If your NDIS funding has been reduced in the relevant support categories, there may no longer be sufficient funding to maintain the same level of community access throughout your plan period.
QLSS cannot provide funded supports beyond the budget approved in your NDIS plan.
Is this a QLSS decision?
No.
These changes are being introduced by the NDIA as part of the new NDIS legislation and budgeting framework. QLSS does not determine participant funding levels.
What community access supports are affected?
This will vary between participants, but commonly affected supports may include:
- Social outings
- Community participation activities
- Recreational activities
- Support worker assistance in the community
- Capacity-building activities funded through the affected categories
Your Support Coordinator can help explain how your specific plan has been funded.
Will my SIL supports be affected?
Generally, essential daily living and home-based supports are not included in these reductions.
The NDIA has advised that assistance with daily living and many essential disability supports will not be affected by these changes.
Can I keep the same roster if my funding is reduced?
Possibly, but it depends on your available funding.
If a reduced budget means your current roster cannot be sustained for the full plan period, QLSS will work with you and your support network to explore options.
What if I think my funding is not enough?
You should speak with your Support Coordinator as soon as possible.
The NDIA has advised that participants can request plan changes in certain circumstances where there has been a significant and ongoing change to their support needs, living arrangements, employment, education or informal supports.
Who should I contact if I have questions?
You can contact:
- Your Support Coordinator for advice about your NDIS plan and funding.
- The QLSS team for questions about how your services may be affected.
- The NDIA for information about the broader policy changes.
What is QLSS doing to help?
QLSS is:
- Reviewing participant supports as updated plans are received.
- Working closely with Support Coordinators and families.
- Helping participants understand how their funding can be used effectively.
- Looking for practical ways to maintain meaningful community participation wherever possible.
- Communicating openly with participants about any required service adjustments.
We understand that community participation is often one of the most important parts of a participant’s life, and we will do everything we can to support participants through these changes.
