NDIS reform impact
How the NDIS changes affect each condition
The April 2026 reforms affect different conditions differently. The risk depends less on your diagnosis and more on your support types and functional evidence. Here's where each condition sits.
Higher risk — worth acting on now
Psychosocial disability
Review riskMinister Butler specifically identified the interface between NDIS and the mental health system as a priority for reform.
ADHD
Review riskADHD is not a condition with obvious physical functional limitations, which creates challenges in the new assessment framework.
Monitor — stay across developments
Autism (ASD)
MonitorThe April 2026 reforms move eligibility away from diagnosis and toward demonstrated functional impact.
Acquired brain injury (ABI)
MonitorThe functional capacity assessment framework should recognise the cognitive, physical, and behavioural impacts of ABI clearly for participants with significant ongoing needs.
Multiple sclerosis (MS)
MonitorThe April 2026 framework requires demonstrating current functional impairment, not just diagnosis.
Hearing impairment / Deafness
MonitorProfound deafness with significant communication and daily living support needs is lower risk — the functional impact is clear.
Stable — low risk under the reforms
Intellectual disability
StableIntellectual disability is one of the most stable cohorts under the April 2026 reforms.
Cerebral palsy
StablePeople with cerebral palsy are among the lowest-risk cohorts under the April 2026 reforms.
Down syndrome
StableDown syndrome is a stable cohort under the April 2026 NDIS reforms.
Spinal cord injury (SCI)
StableSpinal cord injury is a stable cohort under the April 2026 reforms.
Physical disability
StablePhysical disability covers a broad range of conditions with physical functional limitations.
Vision impairment
StableSignificant vision impairment is a stable cohort under the April 2026 reforms.
Diagnosis isn't the whole picture.
Your risk depends on your support types, plan size, and how well your functional needs are documented. The 5-minute check gives you a personalised read.
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