The NDIS is undergoing its most significant structural change since the scheme launched. From 1 July 2026, six major reforms come into force simultaneously — and most providers are not yet ready for all of them.
This guide covers each change, what it means in practice, and the specific steps you need to take before the deadline.
1. I-CAN v6: The New Assessment Framework
The I-CAN (Inventory for Client and Agency Planning) v6 replaces the old planning model as the foundation for all new NDIS plans from July 2026. It has 9 domains: daily living, health and wellbeing, lifelong learning, home, social and community participation, work, relationships, choice and control, and safety.
What this means for providers: Your outcome evidence needs to be structured around these 9 domains. A progress note that says “participant is doing well” is no longer sufficient. You need domain-tagged evidence showing what has changed and how.
Action: Audit your current progress note templates. Do they capture evidence against each I-CAN v6 domain? If not, you need a system that does — before the first new-framework plan reviews begin. Learn more about I-CAN v6 →
2. SIL Mandatory Registration
From 1 July 2026, all Supported Independent Living (SIL) providers must be registered with the NDIS Commission. This is not optional — unregistered SIL providers will not be able to deliver funded supports.
What this means for providers: If you deliver SIL supports and are not yet registered, you need to begin the registration process immediately. The NDIS Commission recommends allowing at least 3–6 months for the application process.
Action: Check your registration status on the NDIS Commission website. Ensure your registration groups include SIL (registration group 0115). Set up ongoing monitoring for registration expiry — this is now a continuous compliance obligation.
3. Two-Stage Incident Reporting
The NDIS Commission now enforces a formal two-stage incident reporting process for all reportable incidents:
- Stage 1 — Immediate notification: Within 24 hours of a reportable incident being detected. This requires the nature of the incident, who was involved, and what immediate actions were taken.
- Stage 2 — Full incident report: Within 5 business days. This requires a full account, investigation findings, and corrective actions taken or planned.
What this means for providers: You need a system that tracks both deadlines separately for every reportable incident. Manual spreadsheets are high-risk for missing the 24-hour window.
Action: Ensure your incident management system records the detection timestamp, flags the 24-hour Stage 1 deadline immediately, and tracks Stage 2 submission status. Train all staff on the new two-stage requirement.
4. Positive Behaviour Support Module
New Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) Practice Standards take effect July 2026 for any provider using regulated restrictive practices. This includes a new compliance module covering:
- Behaviour support plan documentation
- Restrictive practice authorisation and reporting
- Workforce training in positive behaviour support
What this means for providers: If you use any regulated restrictive practices — including chemical, mechanical, physical, environmental, or seclusion-based restraint — you are now required to have documented PBS plans, track authorisations, and demonstrate workforce training.
Action: Identify which participants have behaviour support plans. Ensure every restrictive practice is authorised in writing by the relevant authority. Document workforce training. See how ndisgoal.ai tracks PBS compliance →
5. Flexible vs. Stated Budgets
Under New Framework Planning, participant budgets are split into two categories: stated supports (must be used for a specified support or provider) and flexible budgets (can be used for any approved NDIS support). This replaces the previous three-category structure (Core, Capacity Building, Capital).
What this means for providers: Claims management becomes more complex. You need to track whether each support is claimed against a stated or flexible allocation — and ensure you are not claiming stated supports against flexible budgets or vice versa.
Action: Review your claims processes. Update your service agreements to reflect the new budget categories for all new framework plans. Read more about flexible budgets →
6. Worker Screening — Start the 90-Day Renewal Process
This is not a new requirement, but the timeline matters: NDIS worker screening clearances expire, and the NDIS Commission recommends starting renewals 90 days before expiry. With increased enforcement post-July 2026, providers who let clearances lapse will face immediate compliance issues.
What this means for providers: You need to know, right now, which workers have screening clearances expiring in the next 90 days — and have a process to ensure renewals are submitted in time.
Action: Run a full audit of all worker screening clearances and their expiry dates. Flag anyone with a clearance expiring before October 2026 and initiate the renewal process today.
Where ndisgoal.ai fits in
Every one of these six changes involves evidence. I-CAN v6 requires structured outcome evidence. SIL registration requires ongoing monitoring. Incident reporting requires timestamp-accurate records. PBS requires documentation at every step.
ndisgoal.ai addresses this from the participant interaction up: every Jennie call generates structured evidence, auto-tagged to I-CAN v6 domains, flagged against Practice Standards, and ready for audit. The provider dashboard tracks SIL registration status, incident reporting deadlines, PBS compliance, and worker screening expiry in one place.