What I-CAN is
I-CAN stands for the Instrument for the Classification and Assessment of Support Needs. It was developed by the Centre for Disability Studies and has been refined over about 20 years. It is already used in other programs, including Disability Support for Older Australians.
Unlike many functional assessments, I-CAN focuses on the support a person needs, rather than describing what their impairment stops them doing.
How the NDIS will use it
Under new framework planning, your budget is set from a support needs assessment carried out by a trained NDIS assessor. The NDIA has said:
- The tool is based on I-CAN version 6, provided to the NDIA by the University of Melbourne in partnership with the Centre for Disability Studies
- It assesses disability support needs across 12 domains, alongside questionnaires about personal and environmental factors
- It will be used with participants aged 16 and over. Children will be assessed differently
- People with more complex needs may also have further targeted assessments
- Testing and validation with participants is still under way
When it starts
New framework planning was delayed from mid 2026 to 1 April 2027 to allow more consultation and testing. From then, participants move across gradually, and everyone will be on a new framework plan by 31 December 2030. The NDIA will contact you before you move. You do not need to do anything yet.
What the assessment is like
You spend time with a trained assessor in a semi structured interview about your daily life, goals and support needs. It looks at your functional capacity, your life stage and your environment. Supporting evidence from a health professional can be included if needed.
You can have a support person with you, such as a family member, nominee or advocate, and interpreters remain available. Afterwards you get a support needs assessment report that explains how your budget was decided.
What it does not decide
The support needs assessment is used to build plan budgets. The government says it does not decide whether you can access the NDIS. Access changes are separate and start from 1 January 2028, using a different assessment of functional capacity.
How to prepare
- Keep a simple log of the help you need across a typical week, day and night
- Note your hard days and what changes on them, not just your average day
- Ask people who support you, including family and providers, what they see you need
- Keep your therapy reports and other evidence together and up to date
- Decide who you would like with you on the day