Old vs New Framework NDIS Plans – What does it all mean?

29 Jan 2025

NDIS News

The terms "old framework" and "new framework" have been circulating since major changes were introduced to the NDIS Act last October. But what do they actually mean?

With the changes to the NDIS Act under section 32K, a new planning framework has been introduced. This new framework uses a support needs-based assessment approach to change how budgets are developed for NDIS participants.


Why do we have "old framework" plans?

The term "old framework" was introduced by the NDIA to distinguish existing plans from the upcoming "new framework." While the terminology can be confusing since the change is new yet uses the term "old", it helps differentiate between the two systems during this transition phase.


What are new framework plans?

New framework plans are still in development and will rely heavily on the introduction of needs assessments. However, the NDIA has not yet finalised the design or implementation of these assessments.

The NDIS Act gives the NDIS Minister authority to write legislative NDIS Rules, which will determine how needs assessments are translated into new framework plans. This step is critical because current assessment tools do not directly translate into dollar amounts. The NDIA will need a process to convert assessment results into reasonable and necessary budgets.


Old framework plans: how they work.

For now, every participant has an "old framework" plan. These plans are created by working with a Local Area Coordinator or Early Childhood Partner to identify supports and needs. The plan is then submitted to an NDIS delegate/planner for approval.

Under the NDIS Act, all participants must transition to new framework plans within five years. The government has set September 2025 as the target date to begin rolling out these plans.


What is a Support needs assessment?

A Support needs assessment evaluates a person holistically by considering all their disability-related support needs.

While functional assessments are currently widely used, the new approach focuses on the needs resulting from a person's functional abilities. A support needs assessment will form the basis of a participant's flexible budget and stated supports, taking a more person-centred and strength-based approach.

The NDIA aims to move away from:

• Relying on the concept of a "primary disability"

• Relying on functional assessments

• Deficit-based approaches to understanding support needs

Importantly, the support needs assessment process will be co-designed with the disability community and will only begin once fully developed and ready for implementation.


What can we expect from new framework plans?

The NDIS Act gives us an idea of what to expect from new framework plans. Participants have been promised greater flexibility in how they use their funding. These plans will include a flexible budget and, where relevant, a stated budget.

At this stage, it's unclear how this will differ from the flexibility already present in many plans, which often sits alongside budgets that are also stated (must be used for only what is written in the plan).

One possible change could involve moving away from the existing Core, Capacity Building, and Capital and Recurring budgets and their associated rules.


New framework plans will include:

• A participant's goals and aspirations (existing)

• Total funding amounts for flexible and stated budgets (existing) indicating the total funding available for the entire plan.

• Funding periods (new) funding periods will indicate how often funding will be released, with funding being released in intervals. Funding periods will be no longer than 12 months.

• Plan management type (existing)

• General supports (new) provided by the NDIA, such as plan coordination or referral services.

• Whether the participant meets Disability or Early Intervention requirements (new)

• Plan end date (existing)


Can participants request a review of new framework plans?

Yes! Participants can still request an internal review of their new framework plans if they're dissatisfied. If the outcome of the first review is unsatisfactory, participants can escalate the matter to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal.


Can a participant request a review of a needs assessment result?

We currently lack details about how support needs assessments will be reviewed, as they may be less open to dispute. This, along with many other specifics, will be outlined in upcoming rules.


A lot more to come!

These changes mark a significant shift in how NDIS plans will be created and managed. While the promise of flexibility and a person-centred approach is exciting, there's still much to learn about how the new framework will work in practice. Stay tuned for further updates as the NDIA releases more details about support needs assessments and the new planning framework.