Life with the NDIS
The NDIS 2025 changes — what actually matters for participants
2025 was the biggest year of NDIS reform since the Scheme launched. Not every change affects every participant — here's a plain-English breakdown of what's landed, and what you should actually do about it.
Rolling funding periods
Many plans are moving from fixed annual budgets to rolling funding periods. In practice: unspent funds can flow differently across periods, and reviews may feel less like a cliff-edge. Ask your LAC or plan manager how your plan is structured before your next review.
Support lists are now enforced
The NDIS now publishes explicit lists of what is and isn't a valid support. Spending needs to sit within your approved categories. You still have flexibility — it just operates within clearer boundaries.
Our What NDIS funds cover guide walks through Core, Capacity Building and Capital in plain English — plus what's not covered.
Tighter language on 'reasonable and necessary'
The tests haven't changed dramatically, but the wording is being applied more consistently. If a support has always sat in a grey area for you, expect it to get a clearer yes or no this cycle.
What to actually do
- Read your current plan again — the categories and totals matter more than they used to.
- Talk to your plan manager or LAC before your next review, not during it.
- Keep a running list of goals and how your supports link back to them. That's the language reviewers respond to.
Keep reading
More from the Horizon Care blog.
Choosing an NDIS provider — 7 questions that reveal a lot
Picking a provider is a big decision. The right questions will save you months of second-guessing — and reveal who genuinely puts you first.
What a first shift with Horizon Care actually looks like
No mystery, no surprises. Here's exactly what happens when a support worker walks through your door for the first time.
Got a question this article didn't answer?
We'd rather have a real conversation than write another guide. Reach out — no pressure, no sales pitch.