The usual plan lengths
The NDIA works with you to decide how long your plan should run, thinking about what you want and what will suit your situation. Its guideline says that if your living and support needs are stable and not likely to change significantly, your plan will generally go for:
- 5 years if you are aged 9 or over
- 2 years if you are younger than 9
When plans are shorter
Shorter plans are used where needs are expected to change. For children younger than 9, plans generally go for one year if the child:
- Has early intervention supports that are expected to work, so long term NDIS support may not be needed
- Is 5 or older with developmental delay, because an eligibility reassessment is needed after they turn 6
- Is younger than 7, met access through the hearing stream pathway, and this is their first plan
- Has intensive capacity building supports, so the NDIA can see how they are working
- Has a positive behaviour support plan with restrictive practices
Shorter plans for people 9 and over
For people aged 9 and over, the guideline says plans generally go for 2 years if you have early intervention supports that are expected to work, or a degenerative condition such as motor neurone disease or muscular dystrophy, or a terminal illness and disability. Plans generally go for one year if you have a positive behaviour support plan with restrictive practices.
Plan length can also be different if you have a compensation reduction amount, a state or territory statutory scheme plan, are a younger person in residential aged care with a goal to move out, are leaving hospital, or have a life milestone coming up such as starting or finishing school or moving out of home.
Your plan reassessment date
Plan length shows up in your plan as the plan reassessment date. The NDIA must reassess your plan before that date, even if nothing needs to change, and it checks in with you beforehand. If your plan is working well, it can instead move the reassessment date later and adjust funding to cover the extra time.
Your plan does not expire on that date. It stays in effect until a new plan is approved or you leave the NDIS, so you are never left without a plan while you remain a participant.
Longer plans and your funding
A longer plan gives you certainty and fewer meetings, but it does not mean all the money is available at once. Funding is released in funding periods, usually every 3 months, and unspent money rolls over to the next period in the same plan but not into a new plan. The NDIA also checks in with you during the plan, usually at least once a year.
If your circumstances change, you can ask for a plan variation, including a change to your reassessment date, or an unscheduled reassessment if the change is significant and ongoing.
What changes in 2026 and 2027
- From 1 October 2026: the funding reset is applied when a plan is created or reassessed, and from 1 February 2027 when it is renewed
- By 30 September 2027: every affected participant will have had their plan renewed. If your scheduled reassessment date is on or after 1 October 2027, it will be brought forward
- From 1 February 2027: when a plan reaches its reassessment date a renewed plan is created and unspent funds do not roll over
- From 1 April 2027: participants start moving to new framework plans, which state a maximum period of effect instead of a reassessment date set in the old way. Everyone moves by 31 December 2030