From 1 July 2026, a new set of NDIS changes reshapes provider registration, Supported Independent Living (SIL) claiming, short-term respite funding, pricing, and how plan reassessments happen. If you’re an NDIS participant, family member, support coordinator, plan manager, or provider in Australia, these updates affect how support gets delivered, claimed and funded from that date onward. Understanding the detail now protects your continuity of support and helps providers stay compliant.
Key Takeaways
- Mandatory registration begins for Supported Independent Living (SIL) and NDIS digital platform providers, with a transition period for existing providers.
- A new SIL claim code, 0138 – Assistance with Supported Independent Living, replaces code 0115 for supports delivered from 1 July 2026.
- The NDIA gains stronger compliance, enforcement and investigative powers to monitor claims and address non-compliance.
- New maximum funding caps apply to short-term respite (STR) stays, split between participant accommodation and support worker accommodation.
- Annual pricing adjustments and updated pricing schedules apply to various therapy and support line items from July.
- The Government has proposed tighter criteria for unscheduled plan reassessments as part of a Bill still before the Senate, not yet in effect.
What Changed In The NDIS On 1 July 2026?
NDIS changes 1 July 2026 bring mandatory provider registration for specific service types, a new claim code for Supported Independent Living, tighter respite accommodation funding limits, updated pricing, and stricter rules around unscheduled plan reassessments. If you’re a participant, family member, support coordinator or provider across Australia, these changes affect your plan, your claims, or both, from that date.
Provider Registration Changes
Mandatory registration now applies to Supported Independent Living (SIL) providers and NDIS digital platform providers. A transition period is available for providers already operating in these spaces, giving them time to complete registration rather than facing an immediate cut-off. If you deliver or coordinate SIL supports, or operate a digital platform connecting participants with providers, confirm where you sit in that transition timeline.
Compliance And Enforcement Powers
The NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission already holds stronger compliance, enforcement and investigative powers, following separate legislation (the NDIS Amendment (Integrity and Safeguarding) Act 2026) that passed earlier this year. That means closer monitoring of claims and a greater ability to act on non-compliance. Providers should expect more scrutiny of claiming accuracy and documentation, making accurate records more important than ever.
What Is The New SIL Claim Code From 1 July 2026?
All providers delivering Supported Independent Living supports must use the new claim code, 0138 – Assistance with Supported Independent Living, for supports delivered from 1 July 2026 onward. This replaces the previous code, 0115. Claims lodged under the old code for supports delivered after that date risk being rejected or queried.
Why Did The SIL Claim Code Change?
A dedicated SIL code gives the NDIA clearer visibility over how these supports are delivered and claimed, sitting alongside the broader push for mandatory SIL provider registration. For participants, this shift is mostly administrative, but it’s worth confirming your provider has updated their billing systems so your claims process smoothly.
What Should SIL Providers Do Now?
- Update billing and claiming systems to use code 0138 for all supports delivered from 1 July 2026.
- Retire code 0115 for new claims from that date.
- Confirm registration status and transition timelines if not already registered.
- Communicate the change clearly to participants and families so nobody is caught off guard by a claim query.
What Are The New NDIS Respite Accommodation Limits?
From 1 July 2026, maximum funding caps apply to short-term respite (STR) accommodation stays. These caps split funding between participant accommodation and support worker accommodation, rather than treating respite costs as a single combined figure. This gives both participants and providers clearer visibility over what each component of a respite stay actually costs.
How Does This Affect Participants And Families?
If short-term respite forms part of your plan, check how your existing respite bookings and budgets sit against the new caps. Ask your provider or support coordinator to walk through how the split between participant accommodation and support worker accommodation affects your available respite days. Planning ahead matters here, particularly if respite stays are booked well in advance.
How Do The 2026 NDIS Pricing Adjustments Work?
Annual pricing adjustments and updated pricing schedules take effect from July, applying to various therapy and support line items. These adjustments work alongside the registration, claiming and respite changes rather than in isolation, so it’s worth reviewing your service agreement as a whole rather than checking each change separately.
| Change Area | What Applies From 1 July 2026 |
| SIL claiming | Code 0138 replaces code 0115 |
| Provider registration | Mandatory for SIL and digital platform providers, with transition period |
| Short-term respite | New maximum caps, split by accommodation type |
| Pricing | Annual adjustments and updated schedules for therapy and support items |
| Plan reassessments | Restricted to exceptional, significant and ongoing support-needs changes |
What Should You Check In Your Service Agreement?
Ask your provider directly whether any of your line items are affected by the updated pricing schedules. Confirm invoices reference current item numbers and rates, since a service agreement that still reflects last year’s pricing can create confusion at claim time.
What Are The New Rules For Unscheduled Plan Reassessments?
Change of circumstances: The Government has proposed tighter criteria for unscheduled plan reassessments as part of the Securing the NDIS for Future Generations Bill 2026, currently before the Senate. Once passed, unscheduled reassessments would be limited to exceptional circumstances involving significant, ongoing changes in support needs, but this is not yet law. Until the Bill passes, existing reassessment rules still apply.
When Would An Unscheduled Reassessment Still Be Approved?
The threshold would sit at significant and ongoing change, not a temporary or minor shift in circumstances. If your support needs have genuinely and lastingly changed, for example following a major change in health, living arrangements or disability-related needs, discuss this with your support coordinator or planner early. Clear documentation of the ongoing nature of the change supports your case.
What Does This Mean For Day-To-Day Planning?
Because unscheduled reassessments are harder to access, it becomes more important to raise concerns about your budget or support levels well before your scheduled plan review. Support coordinators and plan managers play a key role here, helping participants flag emerging needs early rather than waiting for a crisis point.
What Should Participants And Providers Do Next?
Several changes land on the same date, so it pays to work through them together rather than one at a time.
- Participants and families: check whether short-term respite bookings or your Supported Independent Living supports are affected, and ask your provider to explain any changes to your service agreement.
- Support coordinators and plan managers: confirm claims are being lodged under code 0138 for SIL supports delivered from 1 July 2026, and reconcile respite claims against the new accommodation caps.
- Allied health and support providers: update billing systems, confirm registration status if you deliver SIL or operate a digital platform, and review pricing schedules against your current fee structure.
- Everyone: keep documentation thorough, given the NDIA’s expanded compliance and investigative powers.
Ability to Achieve supports participants across New South Wales, Queensland, and the Australian Capital Territory as a registered NDIS provider, and can help you work through how these 1 July 2026 changes affect your specific plan, service agreement or claiming arrangements.
FAQ
What changed in the NDIS on 1 July 2026?
Mandatory registration began for Supported Independent Living and NDIS digital platform providers, a new SIL claim code (0138) replaced code 0115, new short-term respite accommodation funding caps took effect, annual pricing adjustments applied to therapy and support items, and unscheduled plan reassessments became restricted to exceptional circumstances.
What is the new SIL claim code and when do I need to use it?
Code 0138 – Assistance with Supported Independent Living replaces code 0115 for all supports delivered from 1 July 2026 onward. Providers should update their billing systems ahead of that date to avoid claim issues.
Do I still need to register if I already operate as a SIL provider?
Yes, mandatory registration now applies to Supported Independent Living and NDIS digital platform providers, though a transition period is available for providers already operating in these areas.
How do the new respite accommodation limits work?
Maximum funding caps now apply to short-term respite stays, split between participant accommodation and support worker accommodation, rather than one combined figure.
Can I still request an unscheduled plan reassessment?
Yes, current rules still apply. A Bill before the Senate proposes restricting unscheduled reassessments to exceptional circumstances once passed. Until then, existing reassessment rules remain in place.