What an NDIS needs assessor does
New framework planning changes how NDIS budgets are set. Instead of mainly relying on the reports you bring and the supports you ask for, the NDIA will build your budget from a support needs assessment. The person who carries out that assessment is the NDIA Assessor.
The assessor meets with you to understand your daily life, your disability support needs and your preferences. They then prepare a support needs assessment report and give it to an NDIA delegate, who uses it to work out your budget.
Who the assessors are
The government describes assessors as trained and skilled people who complete a training and accreditation program developed with the University of Melbourne and the Centre for Disability Studies. That partnership also provides the core assessment tool, which is based on version 6 of the I-CAN (Instrument for the Classification and Assessment of Support Needs).
The assessor works for the purposes of the NDIA. They are not your occupational therapist, psychologist or other treating professional, and you do not choose or pay them. Your own therapists still matter: information from your treating health professionals can feed into the targeted parts of the assessment.
What happens when you meet the assessor
Government fact sheets say the assessor will meet you at a suitable time and place and have a structured conversation about your daily life. The assessment has three parts:
- The core needs assessment tool, which identifies your disability support needs
- A personal and environmental circumstances questionnaire, about where you live, who helps you and what you prefer
- Targeted assessments where needed, for example from an allied health professional for assistive technology, home and vehicle modifications or disability related health supports
Who can be with you
You can choose to have your nominee, a family member or an advocate there with you. The assessor checks the information with you, and with them if they attend, to make sure it is correct.
Different tools are used for children and adults. The core I-CAN based tool is designed for people aged 16 and over, so children will be assessed differently.
The report, and what to do if it is wrong
After the assessment, the assessor writes a support needs assessment report and sends it to the NDIA delegate. You get a copy, and you can share it with your nominee, family or advocate.
Read it carefully. If you have concerns, the NDIA delegate works with you to decide whether a replacement needs assessment is needed. Under the proposed rules a replacement can only be requested before your plan is approved, so raise problems straight away rather than waiting for the plan.
When you will meet one
New framework planning was delayed from mid 2026 to 1 April 2027. 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, so you do not need to apply.
The support needs assessment sets your budget. The government says it is not used to decide whether you can access the NDIS. Access changes are separate and start from 1 January 2028.
How to get ready
- Keep a simple log of the help you need across a typical week, day and night, including help family give for free
- Note what changes on hard days, flare ups or bad nights, not just an average day
- Decide who you would like with you, and check they can make the date
- Keep current therapy and medical reports together, in case they are needed for targeted assessments
- Ask for an interpreter, Auslan or Easy Read information if you need it