NDIS Plan Cut After Reassessment? Your Review Rights Explained

Key information

• A funding cut after reassessment doesn't mean the decision is final
• You can request a review of the reasonable and necessary budget decisions in your plan, straight away
• If you disagree with the review outcome, you can take it to the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART)
• An NDIS reform bill has recently passed which will see some budgets reduced from October 2026

Your plan reassessment (previously called plan review) is when the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) reviews goals, current supports, and evidence to determine what your next NDIS plan will cover.

While this has always been primarily an opportunity to ensure your plan still meets your needs, the federal government's focus on reducing NDIS spending over time means your evidence and plan may be under more scrutiny. For many participants and their families, this is a frustrating prospect.

Why some plans get reduced at reassessment

There are a few common reasons why your plan may be reduced at reassessment.

Changes to NDIS rules

In recent years, we've seen a rollout of reform in the NDIS system. Changes to what is considered an NDIS support, who can access NDIS supports, and how your plan is assessed can impact what the NDIS decide is 'reasonable and necessary' for your new plan.

Related: Reasonable and Necessary Supports Under the NDIS

Internal policy changes

The NDIA regularly updates how it interprets the rules of the NDIS. This is usually to reflect broader pushes in the Scheme, and can shape how planners make decisions about what funding you are eligible for.

Gaps or assumptions in evidence

This is where your supporting evidence may:

• Be vague or overly positive
• Focus too heavily on goals, rather than day to day needs
• Not explain why supports are necessary

The tone and phrasing also matter. "Managing everyday tasks well with support" doesn't have the same impact as "unable to carry out everyday tasks without support", even if they have the same base meaning.

What are your rights when your NDIS plan is reduced?

The NDIS Act gives you the right to request an internal review of decisions affecting your plan. If your plan funding has been reduced unexpectedly, you can ask the NDIA to reassess.

There are two levels to this:

Internal review by the NDIA

This means someone at the NDIA will look over and assess the decision to reduce your funding or supports. This won't be the person who made the first decision, it'll be someone else. This second person will determine if the right decision was made under the law.

When to act: You need to ask for an internal review within 3 months of receiving your decision.

External review by the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART)

If you have requested an internal review and still don't agree with the outcome, you can ask for an external review from ART. This happens independently of the NDIA, and you can only request it once the internal review has been completed.

When to act: The window is a bit smaller here – you have 28 days from receiving the internal review decision to request an external review.

What actions can you take immediately?

It can be frustrating and disappointing to see a reduction in your NDIS funding. Here are some actionable steps for when you're wondering what to do next:

Review your new plan

Read your new plan in full and compare it to your previous one. Where is funding missing? Do you have less to spend overall, or have certain supports been dropped altogether?

If you're getting overwhelmed or lost in the detail, try asking a trusted friend or family member to go over this with you. Having help makes it an easier job, especially if you are already feeling stressed out by the funding changes.

Gather evidence about your disability support needs

Once you know what's missing, you can work on gathering updated reports from your allied health team, support workers, or your GP to explain why you still need the same supports at the same funding. Make sure your providers are being specific and not overly positive when they write reports about the impact of your disability and the supports you need.

Related: 8 Tips to Make Your NDIS Evidence More Effective

Submit a request for an internal review

This is the NDIA internal review we mentioned further up. You can do this via phone, online, or by post. You'll want to do this step after gathering any additional evidence, so you can submit everything you need.

Advocacy support for NDIS participants

You don't have to go through the process alone – support is available for NDIS participants undertaking the review process.

The NDIS Appeals Program

You can ask for support from the NDIS Appeals Program for the external reviews process with ART. It's available free of charge in every state and territory, and the support persons are National Disability Advocacy Program (NDAP) advocates – people who know the system and its challenges.

They can help with:

• Explaining the process and what is involved
• Helping prepare documents
• Providing skills to help you better represent yourself
• Attending ART conferences and hearings to help you put your case to the ART

The primary focus is advocacy and helping you go through the application process, but you can also apply for legal services. The Legal Aid Commission in your state or territory will assess your application and whether you're eligible for this.

Note: The NDIS Appeals Program is funded to help with the external review process specifically. You must have already completed the internal review process to access this support.

Independent disability advocacy services

Independent disability advocates can help promote, protect and support your rights when dealing with the NDIA (or other complex areas where you need support).

Each state and territory has organisations dedicated to advocacy for people living with disability. Or, you can use the free Ask Izzy Disability Advocacy Finder tool from the National Disability Advocacy Program (NDAP). This allows you to put in your postcode and find government-funded advocacy agencies and services near you.

What if I miss the 3-month deadline for internal review?

You can request an unscheduled plan reassessment if your NDIS plan isn't meeting your needs. As you will know by this stage, any reassessment doesn't guarantee you will get more supports or funding added. It just gives you another opportunity to show what you need, especially if you're dealing with new challenges or health issues.

You don't have to wait for your current plan to finish to request a reassessment.

How new NDIS rules may impact funding

The National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill has just passed. This enables further changes in the NDIS system, including who can access the NDIS, how plans are managed, how funding is used, and how providers operate. It gives the Minister for the NDIS 'extended powers' to reduce funding for support categories, for all participants or for certain cohorts. As part of a 'reset', changes currently outlined include reducing:

• Assistance with Social, Economic and Community Participation budget allocations by 50%
• Improved Daily Living budget allocations by 10%

This will come into effect for new plans and reassessments from 1 October 2026, and for all other participants as part of the plan renewal process from 1 February 2027.

The changes also allow the Minister to cap the number of hours a support can be funded for, or the amount of funding for that support. That means even if your plan budget wasn't reduced for specific supports, it may be functionally reduced by the introduction of ministerial caps.

Right now, you can continue as per usual. You can find a timeline of the changes to be expected from October 2026 on the NDIS info page, 'Securing the NDIS for future generations'.

Keeping up with the latest NDIS news

NDSP are committed to empowering NDIS participants across Australia – not only with our plan management services, but with knowledge of how the NDIS works and how it is changing. Keep an eye out for the latest news and tips on our blog – or if you want to learn more about the NDIS in general, you can get started with our free online participant toolbox.

If you have questions about your current plan's financial management, our friendly team can help with that as well. Why not call our team or send us a message today.