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NDIS & Autism Parent Guide
NDIS News & Updates — explained in plain English
The NDIS is changing quickly. This page brings together the most useful current information for parents, carers and families, with direct links to the source so you can check the detail for yourself.
Last checked: 8 October 2026. We prioritise official NDIS, Australian Government and established autism-sector sources.
Important: This page is a practical guide, not legal, financial or individual NDIS advice. NDIS decisions depend on each participant's circumstances, plan and support needs. When in doubt, use the direct official links below or speak with your my NDIS contact, plan manager, support coordinator or advocate.
What families should know right now
1 October 2026
Changes to some NDIS support budgets
From 1 October 2026, reductions are being phased into some budgets for Social, Economic and Community Participation and Improved Daily Living Skills. The effect will differ from person to person, and a number of support groups are excluded from these reductions.
If a participant has a significant and ongoing change in their situation or support needs, they can still ask about a plan variation or reassessment.
Started 1 October 2026
Thriving Kids has begun rolling out
Thriving Kids is being introduced for children aged 8 and under with developmental delay and/or autism. Some supports are available now, with more rolling out through to January 2028. The Australian Government says there will be no changes to NDIS access arrangements until 1 January 2028.
Useful contacts now available:
Thriving Kids Autism Helpline: 1300 654 789, Monday–Friday, 8am–7pm.
Child development phoneline: 1800 882 436, 7am–midnight, 7 days.
Australian Government Thriving Kids hub →
NDIS announcement →
Amaze Thriving Kids Autism Helpline information →
A new way of NDIS planning is coming
The NDIA is testing a new planning approach before broader rollout. Current plans remain in place until participants move to the new system, and participants should receive information before a change affects them.
Can I use NDIS funding for this?
Rather than relying on broad statements such as “this product is NDIS claimable”, the safest approach is to check the current official NDIS support rules against the participant's plan and circumstances.
The NDIS says funding can only be used for supports that are NDIS supports, relate to the participant's disability and are in line with the plan. Some non-NDIS items may be considered as an approved replacement support, but approval must be obtained first.
Direct official links
What are NDIS supports? →
The current rules and downloadable list of supports the NDIS can fund.
Replacement supports →
How replacement supports work, what may qualify and how to apply.
NDIS Assistive Technology guide →
Evidence, cost-effectiveness and funding considerations for assistive technology.
Buying from Autism and What Works?
We can provide normal purchase documentation for our products, but we cannot guarantee that a particular item will be accepted by the NDIS for a particular participant. If you are unsure, check the links above and confirm with your plan manager, support coordinator or my NDIS contact before purchasing with NDIS funds.
If your child's needs or circumstances have changed
A plan can be changed through a plan variation for smaller or urgent changes, or a plan reassessment where significant changes are required. Evidence may be needed to support the request.
Guide to changing your NDIS plan →
How to prepare for a plan reassessment →
How plan variations work →
If you disagree with an NDIS decision
Many NDIA decisions can be reviewed. For an internal review, the NDIS says you generally need to ask within 3 months of receiving the decision in writing. If you disagree with the internal review outcome, an external review through the Administrative Review Tribunal may be available, generally within 28 days of the internal review decision.
Official guide to NDIS decision reviews →
Problems with a provider or worker
Complaints about the safety or quality of an NDIS provider or worker are handled by the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission. Complaints about NDIA decisions, plan funding amounts or NDIA response times should instead go to the NDIA.
NDIS Commission complaints hub →
Report an issue about a provider or worker →
Autism-specific information and support
Amaze — parent and carer resources →
Evidence-informed autism information, helplines and support navigation.
Amaze — autism community statement on Thriving Kids and the NDIS transition →
Useful community-sector context about safeguards and concerns during the transition.
Autism Association of Australia — Thriving Kids overview →
A plain-English autism-focused overview of the current rollout.
NDIS Autism Advisory Group →
Read meeting summaries and see how autism-specific issues are being raised with the NDIA.
Latest NDIS news
For breaking announcements, policy changes, consultations and operational updates, go straight to the official feed:
Recent updates worth watching
- Changes to support budgets from 1 October 2026
- First phase of Thriving Kids supports started 1 October 2026
- Changes to the NDIS — official reform hub
- NDIS Autism Advisory Group updates
Our approach: Autism and What Works aims to make complicated information easier to navigate, but we do not replace official NDIS advice. We link directly to the source wherever possible and clearly separate official information from community-sector commentary.