What the new NDIS Needs Assessment Model means for participants in 2026

The Government has announced that National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) participants will be using a new model for assessment, starting from mid-2026. 

Currently, NDIS participants use GPs and other treating specialists (allied health professionals) to provide evidence for their plans. Under the new system, they will be assessed by trained, accredited assessors using the Instrument for Classification and Assessment of Support Needs (I-CAN) version 6.  

This will mark a significant change to the NDIS system. Here’s what we know so far about the new assessment process. 

Why is this change happening? 

The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) is acting on recommendations from the NDIS Review to find a “better, clearer planning process” to assess people’s disability support needs. 

The aim of using the I-CAN tool is to make it easier for people with disability and their loved ones to navigate the complex NDIS system, by focusing on disability support needs over functional impairments. 

NDIS Minister Jenny McAllister has stated that the existing process for sourcing evidence often takes a long time and can cost “a lot of money”. The new I-CAN assessment process aims to make accessing the NDIS easier and more affordable for participants, by removing the need for specialist evidence. 

Related: 8 Tips to Make Your NDIS Evidence More Effective

What is I-CAN? 

I-CAN has been developed by the Centre for Disability Studies as a way of gathering information about the support people living with disability need. In a recent release, the NDIA said: 

“The I-CAN is the gold standard of available, validated needs assessment tools. It has been developed over more than 20 years in the Australian context and tested through multiple research studies across a range of disability groups.” 

This tool has been used in other programs, including a modified version for the Disability Support for Older Australians program. 

Related: I-CAN: The New NDIS Assessment that Focuses on What You Can Do

Will I still be assessed by a person? 

Yes, the NDIA has indicated that trained assessors are to meet with participants aged 16 and over. The I-CAN is used to guide the process, but you will be seen by a trained and accredited assessor. This assessor training will be developed in partnership with the University of Melbourne.  

Participant assessments will be in the form of a “semi-structured interview” that may take up to three hours. We don’t know too much yet about what this interview process will look like – as the NDIA releases more detailed information, we will keep you updated! 

When will this be introduced? 

The NDIA have indicated this change will be rolled out from mid-2026. In the meantime, you will need to follow the existing guidelines for NDIS eligibility and how to apply for funding.  

What are advocacy groups saying? 

There have been some concerns about this big change to the assessment process.  

Every Australian Counts has released a statement around the concerns of the disability community, discussing “fears” about being assessed by strangers and whether the process could be used to limit supports. 

Independent Chair, Dr George Taleporos, called for safeguards and transparency such as: 

1. Co-designing the new system with the disability community, to make sure the assessments capture the “whole person”.
2. Ensuring assessors are well-trained and trauma-informed professionals. 
3. Allowing participants access to their full assessment report. 

Others have pointed out that people with psychosocial disabilities or other episodic conditions, which aren’t easily shown at a point-in-time interview, may be at greatest risk of missing out. 

As we don’t know all the details about how this process will work yet, the best thing you can do is stay across any announcements from the NDIA. 

Keeping up with the latest NDIS news 

The NDIS system has seen a lot of change recently, with the NDIA announcing reform over various areas (like this new assessment method, the firming up of plan funding periods, and the Thriving Kids program).  

NDSP are committed to empowering NDIS participants across Australia – not only with our plan management services, but with knowledge of how the NDIS works. Keep an eye out for the latest updates on our blog – or if you want to learn more about the NDIS in its current form, try our free online participant toolbox. 

If you have any questions about your current NDIS plan’s financial management, our friendly team can help with that as well. Why not call our team or send us an enquiry today.