What differentiated pricing is
For most supports today, the same price limit applies whoever delivers them. Differentiated pricing would change that for some supports, so the limit depends on whether the provider is registered with the NDIS Commission.
The NDIA's review looked at whether pricing should recognise the compliance and quality investments registered providers make, such as audits against the NDIS Practice Standards and other conditions of registration, which unregistered providers do not carry.
What has been proposed
- The NDIA's Annual Pricing Review report for 2026/27 recommended differentiated pricing begin on 1 January 2027
- It recommended a 10% lower price for social, community and civic participation supports delivered by unregistered providers
- The government has been consulting disability stakeholders on how it would be implemented
- As of October 2026 it is not final. The Minister, who has set NDIS price limits since 27 August 2026, would need to make it part of a pricing determination
Who it would affect
Unregistered providers of the affected supports would be paid less per hour by participants whose funding is plan managed, because plan managers must keep to the price limits for every provider. NDIA managed participants already have to use registered providers, so their providers would not be affected by a lower unregistered limit.
Self managed participants are not bound by price limits, so differentiated pricing would not directly cap what they pay. Many still use the limits as a benchmark when agreeing prices.
How it fits with the other changes
Community participation providers face several changes close together. From 1 October 2026 the funding reset cuts social, economic and community participation budgets by 50% as plans are reassessed or renewed. A lower unregistered price limit would come on top of that for unregistered providers.
Separately, mandatory registration expands to higher risk supports, such as personal care and daily living supports, from 1 July 2027, with everyone in scope registered by December 2030. For some providers the pricing gap may be one more reason to look at registration now.
What providers can do now
- Work out what share of your income comes from community participation supports through plan managed participants
- Model your income if the limit for those supports drops 10% from January 2027
- Check your service agreements for how price changes are passed on and how much notice you give
- Cost out registration: the audit type for your registration groups, the Practice Standards and the time involved
- Follow the NDIA's pricing updates for the final decision before you change anything
What participants should know
If it goes ahead and you are plan managed, an unregistered community participation provider could not be paid above the new lower limit from your plan. Ask your provider early how they plan to respond, and whether they are registered or planning to register.