The month of May brought significant changes to the way NDIS plans are funded and managed with the introduction of NDIS Funding Periods.
These changes, implemented as part of the review under Section 33 of the NDIS Act, came into effect on 19 May 2025. However, they will only apply to your plan at the time of your next review or reassessment through the new PACE system (NDIS Portal).
What’s New?
Previously, participants received their full plan funding upfront. Under the new system, funding will be released in smaller instalments over set time periods during the life of the plan.
What Are NDIS Funding Periods?
Funding Periods refer to specific intervals (typically three months) during which a portion of your NDIS funding is made available for use. While most plans will start with three-month funding periods, we are already seeing monthly funding periods introduced in some cases.
Note: You can only spend the funds that have been released in the current or previous funding period—not future allocations.
Why the Change?
The new funding model is designed to:
- Encourage consistent and steady use of supports over the plan duration
- Help prevent running out of funds early
- Make funding use more transparent and easier to manage for participants, providers, and the NDIA
While this approach may initially feel restrictive, it is designed to ensure that service providers and participants do not inadvertently overspend, safeguarding the integrity of supports throughout the plan.
Key Rules for Managing Your NDIS Funding Periods
- Unused funds at the end of a funding period roll over to the next funding period within the same plan
- Unspent funds at the end of your plan do not carry over to a new plan
- You cannot access future funding early
- In urgent circumstances, the NDIA may bring forward funds, but your overall plan budget will not increase
How to Stay on Track
These changes make it more important than ever to plan ahead. You’ll be able to view:
- Your current funding period
- How much funding has been used
- When the next amount will become available
This information will be visible via the NDIS portal, and with your consent your support coordinator will also have access.
We’re here to help you navigate these changes and will keep you informed as more information becomes available. Contact our team by calling us on 07 3339 3084, by emailing us at admin@footstepscs.com.au or by submitting an enquiry using the form below.
You can also visit the NDIS website for regular updates and for answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs) about changes that might affect you or your plan.
Access support services for NDIS Participants – from a Registered NDIS Provider
As a registered NDIS provider, we are here to help you prepare for, understand, and navigate the NDIS, ensuring that you maximize your plan. We are able to assist you if you would like to understand more about accessing NDIS funding and how you can apply.
We offer NDIS Support Coordination and Specialist Support Coordination, Therapy, Behaviour Support, Social Work, and Community Nursing services to participants in Brisbane, Logan, Toowoomba, Gold Coast, Scenic Rim, Ipswich and surrounding areas.
We also provide these services via telehealth services Australia-wide.
