From 1 October 2026, some NDIS budgets are being reduced. For participants who need support around the clock, that raised a serious worry: will there still be enough funding to stay safe at home? The government’s answer is a new NDIS plan variation for 24-hour support needs. This guide explains who qualifies, what the NDIA must be satisfied of, and the 90-day deadline to ask. You will also get a checklist for gathering evidence. If you or someone you love needs 24-hour support, read this early.
- Why this pathway exists
- The two-part test for who qualifies
- How the 90-day window and the 21-day decision time work
- What to do if you do not qualify, and how to prepare now
Why this pathway exists
From 1 October 2026, funding for two support categories is being reduced. These are social, economic and community participation supports, and improved daily living skills supports. The government has set the reductions at 50% and 10%, phased in over 12 months.
The changes apply as plans are created, reassessed or renewed. The NDIS says the reductions do not apply to any other support categories.
For most participants, this means less funding for community activities and skill building. For people who rely on 24-hour support, the worry is different. A cut could leave too little money to keep the right number of staff on shift.
The new plan variation pathway is the safeguard for that situation. It lets eligible participants ask for funding to be added back so their 24-hour supports can continue safely.
Who qualifies: the two-part test
The pathway is only for high support needs participants. The Department of Health says a participant has high support needs if they meet both of these conditions:
- their total plan budget for assistance with daily life, home and living, and assistance with social, economic and community participation was $215,030 or more before the funding reset
- they receive 24-hour funded NDIS supports for support needs arising directly from the impairments they access the NDIS for
Both conditions must be met. Receiving support around the clock is not enough on its own if the funding total is below the amount.
The NDIS describes 24-hour supports as supports available all day and night to meet your ongoing disability-related needs. The supports also need to be funded by the NDIS, not provided informally.
If you are not sure whether you meet the funding test, ask your support coordinator to check your plan. It is much better to know early than to find out after the deadline.
What the NDIA must be satisfied of
Meeting the definition does not guarantee an increase. The NDIA will only vary your plan if two further conditions are true.
- the funding left in your plan is no longer enough to maintain safe 24-hour disability supports
- the funding left in your plan is not enough to maintain the support ratio your disability support needs require
In plain terms, you need to show that the reduction has created a real gap in safe support. The support ratio is the number of workers compared with the number of participants, and it matters for safety.
If your plan is varied, the NDIA may increase funding for specific supports to keep your 24-hour supports safe. The NDIS says this can be home and living or assisted daily living categories.
The increase will not be more than the budget reduction that was applied to your plan. It restores what is needed for safety, up to the amount that was cut.
The 90-day window
You must ask for the variation within 90 days of your plan being approved with the budget reduction. The window runs from the date the reduction is applied through a new, reassessed or renewed plan.
Your plan will show the funding changes if a reduction has been applied. Check the plan statement as soon as you receive it.
Here is an illustration only. If your plan is approved on 10 November 2026, 90 days later is 8 February 2027. Always count from your own plan date and ask early.
Timing depends on how your plan changes. Reassessed and new plans can have reductions from 1 October 2026, while renewed plans can from 1 February 2027. Our guide to the October 2026 NDIS changes explains the timeline in full.
How to ask for the variation
You can ask by completing the plan variation request form or by contacting the NDIA. It is the same plan variation process used for other changes.
The request can come from you, your plan nominee or, for a child, the child representative. A public guardian with a valid legal order can also ask. Anyone else needs your consent to ask on your behalf.
The NDIA then has 21 days to decide whether you meet the high support needs criteria. If it needs more time, it must tell you.
Providers and support coordinators can help you gather evidence and prepare. Our support coordination team can walk you through the form and the evidence.
What evidence helps
The NDIA has not published a full evidence list in the sources we reviewed, so this is our practical advice. The aim is to show clearly how your 24-hour support works and what the reduction changes.
- your current roster, funded hours and support ratio, and why that ratio is needed
- a clear record of your funding before and after the reduction
- reports from allied health professionals, such as an occupational therapist or behaviour support practitioner
- records of risks and incidents that show why the support level is needed
- a short statement from your provider explaining how the reduction affects safe staffing
- your own description of what a typical day and night look like
The NDIS gives the example of Tess, who receives 24-hour disability supports every day, including in-home and overnight supports. Because she meets the criteria, she can ask for a variation within 90 days to have funding added back.
If you receive supported independent living, ask your provider for current roster and ratio information now. Having it ready saves time later.
If you do not qualify, or you are declined
Decisions under this pathway can be reviewed. The Department of Health says this includes decisions about whether you meet the definition and whether a variation is approved. Ask for a review if you disagree.
If you do not meet the high support needs definition, other options still exist. Any participant can ask for a plan variation, including a short-term or urgent one. You can also request an unscheduled reassessment where there is a significant and ongoing change in functional capacity, support needs or circumstances.
Only participants, plan nominees or child representatives can ask for an unscheduled reassessment. The NDIA then has 90 days to decide whether to reassess.
Be careful before asking for a reassessment. A reassessed plan from 1 October 2026 can have the reductions applied, so talk to a support coordinator first.
A checklist for families and nominees
You do not need to panic, but you do need to act early. A few steady steps put you in a strong position.
- Check your plan dates. Note when your plan is due for reassessment or renewal.
- Check the funding test. Add up your assistance with daily life, home and living, and community participation budgets.
- Confirm your 24-hour supports are funded in your plan. The test relies on NDIS-funded support.
- Gather evidence now. Collect rosters, reports and risk records before you need them.
- Diarise the 90 days. Set a reminder as soon as a plan with a reduction is approved.
- Ask for help. A support coordinator can check your eligibility and prepare the request.
Frequently asked questions
Is the variation automatic?
No. You must ask within 90 days, and the NDIA must be satisfied that the funding left is not enough for safe 24-hour support.
What if my plan total is below $215,030?
Both parts of the test must be met, so you may not meet the high support needs definition. Talk to a support coordinator about other options, such as a general plan variation.
Will the NDIA restore the full amount that was cut?
Not necessarily. Any increase will not be more than the reduction that was applied, and it is based on what is needed to keep 24-hour support safe.
Can a provider apply for me?
Providers can help with evidence. The request itself must come from you, your nominee, your child representative or a public guardian with a legal order, or from someone you have consented to act for you.
Can I ask for a review if I am declined?
Yes. The Department of Health says decisions about eligibility and about whether a variation is approved can be reviewed.
Conclusion
The high support needs plan variation is a safeguard, not an automatic fix. You qualify only if you meet both the funding test and the 24-hour support test, and you must ask within 90 days. Start gathering evidence early and keep your plan dates close. If you would like help checking your eligibility, talk to the Bharosa team. We can review your plan with you.
General information only, not legal advice. Details may change as the NDIA publishes more guidance. Last updated 18 October 2026.
SOURCES & DATA
- Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, Funding changes for NDIS supports: https://www.health.gov.au/our-work/ndis-legislation-changes/amendments/funding-changes-for-ndis-supports
- Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, Safeguards for high support needs participants: https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/ndis-funding-changes-high-support-needs-safeguards
- Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, Safeguards for high support needs participants (Auslan summary, 24 September 2026): https://www.health.gov.au/resources/videos/funding-changes-for-ndis-supports-safeguards-for-high-support-needs-participants-auslan
- NDIS, What is an NDIS plan: https://www.ndis.gov.au/participants/creating-plan/creating-your-first-plan/what-ndis-plan
- NDIS, Changing your plan factsheet: https://ndis.gov.au/media/6396/download?attachment=
- NDIS, Your plan guide (1 October 2026): https://ndis.gov.au/media/7818/download?attachment=
- NDIS, Securing the NDIS for future generations (page current as of 23 September 2026): https://www.ndis.gov.au/ndis-laws/securing-ndis-future-generations
