IAC meeting bulletin, 13 August 2026
The Independent Advisory Council (IAC) met online on 13 August 2026. At the meeting, they discussed:
What they have heard in their communities
IAC Advice on the NDIS and Justice and the new NDIS Support Needs Assessment
NDIA Corporate Plan 2026-27
Principal Member Leah van Poppel led the meeting.
What Members have heard in their communities
Members raised issues around check-in phone calls and the plan reassessments that follow. Participants are receiving these calls without warning, meaning they miss them or do not have support people to assist. Participants feel they do not have enough time to collect evidence for a plan reassessment. This has meant they get new plans with large and often unexplained funding reductions. These issues create confusion and a loss of trust in the Agency.
Members shared self-managed participants’ concerns about having to give more evidence and details when claiming. Participants are sometimes confused about direct employment arrangements. This includes not knowing if the Agency expects formal service agreements with support workers, or if they need a NDIS Worker Screening Check. Participants are unsure if these are mandatory requirements.
Members reported participants receiving cuts to funding in their plans, specifically for social and community participation supports. They are concerned this is happening before any changes to the legislation have been made. Participants are concerned about not affording their support staff because of these cuts. Fewer support worker hours means participants attend work less, feel isolated, and aren’t as able to live independently. Some are concerned this could send them back to institutional living in group homes.
Self-mangers have reported the Agency is applying shorter funding periods to their plans. This limits their funding flexibility, increasing fears of running out of funding for essential supports.
Members shared blind and vision-impaired community reports they can’t get funding for mainstream technology but can get funding for more expensive disability specific assistive technology. These are often harder to get, have longer wait times and are harder to use.
Members shared how some regional support coordination providers are financially struggling. Many factors are contributing to this, including there being less funding for support coordination in NDIS plans and price freezes. Participants worry that losing these businesses means a loss of vital services, local knowledge, quality navigation and connection.
Members shared feedback from providers, who have asked the Agency to supply more information about how to manage participants’ claims and changes to the price guide.
Agency update
The Board Chair and CEO and updated members. The CEO, Mr Graeme Head noted the Agency received an additional 9 months to implement New Framework Planning, allowing for more testing. He also shared that the Agency is preparing its communications to participants once the revised NDIS legislation passes through Parliament and becomes law.
IAC Advice update
Members provided feedback on the IAC’s draft Justice Advice and on Support Needs Assessment.
NDIA Corporate Plan
The Agency updated members on its Corporate Plan for 2026-27.
More information on the IAC
The IAC will next meet from 8-10 September in Sydney and online. Find out more about IAC and Reference Group meetings and bulletins at the IAC website.
Information in Easy Read
The IAC publishes an Easy Read version of this bulletin. This is part of its commitment to accessibility.