Parliament Passes NDIS Amendment Bill — Here's What It Means

On 22 August 2024, the Australian Parliament passed the National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Getting the NDIS Back on Track No. 1) Act 2024. The new laws took effect from 3 October 2024. This is the most significant change to the NDIS since the scheme began.

Information current as of August 2024. This article is general information only — not NDIS, legal, or financial advice.

Why was this legislation needed?

The NDIS Review (2023) found the scheme had drifted from its original intent. Costs were growing faster than expected, eligibility criteria were being interpreted inconsistently, and some participants were accessing supports that were more appropriately the responsibility of mainstream services (hospitals, schools, housing).

The amendment is designed to refocus the NDIS on its core purpose: supporting people with permanent and significant disability with the supports they need to live an ordinary life.

The five key changes

1. New definition of “NDIS supports” The Act introduces a clearer definition of what can and cannot be funded by the NDIS. A list of approved supports and a list of excluded supports replaces the previous “reasonable and necessary” test alone. Participants can apply for “replacement supports” if they need something not on the standard list.

2. Total budget plans From 3 October 2024, new plans issued under the PACE system show a single total funded amount alongside category breakdowns — no more fragmented line items.

3. Provider registration requirements Support Coordinators, platform providers, and Supported Independent Living (SIL) providers will be required to be registered with the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission. (Implementation timelines vary by provider type.)

4. Clearer access information When someone is approved for the NDIS, they will now receive detailed information about how they qualified — whether through the disability or early intervention pathway.

5. Claims timeline From 3 October 2024, providers have two years from the date of service delivery to submit a claim. Late claims beyond this period will be declined.

What this means for current participants

Your existing plan is not automatically changed. The new rules apply to plans issued or reviewed on or after 3 October 2024. When your plan comes up for review, it will be assessed under the new framework.

Speak with your Support Coordinator before your next plan review to understand how the new supports list may affect your funding.

Source: NDIS — Critical legislation becomes law