Changes to Your NDIS Budget: What the New Quarterly Budgets Mean for You
The way NDIS funding works is changing — and it could impact how you manage your supports. From May 19, 2025, instead of getting your budget for the whole year at once, the NDIS is moving towards giving you your funds in quarterly amounts. This change, part of updates to Section 33 of the NDIS legislation, is designed to help you get and manage the support you need. Let’s take a closer look at what this means, who it affects, and how it could benefit you.
What’s Changing? From Yearly to Quarterly Budgets
Before, most people in the NDIS received their funding as one big lump sum for the whole year. Now, the government is breaking that money up into smaller amounts, given every three months. According to the NDIS, the total amount of funding in a participant's plan will not change due to the introduction of funding periods.
However, instead of getting your full budget upfront, you’ll get a portion of it each quarter (that’s every three months). This means your plan and budget get reviewed more often to keep up with what you need.
Who Will This Affect?
This change mostly affects:
New NDIS participants: If you’re just starting with the NDIS, you’ll likely get your budget in these smaller chunks from the beginning.
Existing participants with upcoming plan reviews: When your plan is up for review, you might switch to the new quarterly budget system.
NDIS providers and support coordinators: They’ll need to adjust how they plan and manage your supports based on the new budget timing.
Not everyone will switch right away, but over time, more and more participants will experience this new way of managing their funding.
Why Make This Change?
The goal is to make the NDIS more flexible and easier to manage. Here’s why quarterly budgets can be better:
Better management of funds: Hopefully you will be able to manage your budgets more effectively and reduce the risk of overspending or running out of funds before your plan's end.
More regular check-ins: You and your planner can look at your supports more often and make changes if things have shifted.
Better use of your funds: It’s easier to keep track of your money and make sure it’s being spent on the supports you actually need.
Flexibility: If your goals or needs change, you won’t have to wait a whole year to update your plan.
Better communication: Providers can adjust services more quickly to match your current situation.
What Should You Do Next?
If you’re part of the NDIS or work with someone who is, here’s what to keep in mind:
Stay informed: Keep an eye on any news from the NDIS about your plan and budget changes.
Be involved: When it’s time for your plan review, ask questions and talk about how the new quarterly budget could work for you.
Plan ahead: Think about how your supports might change over the next few months and be ready to adjust as needed. You will need to spend within your funding amount within a funding period, so plan to use your funds so that you get the most out of them. Any unspent funds from a funding period will be carried over to the next period, but not to a new plan.
If you have questions about what this means for your NDIS plan or need help navigating these changes, we’re here to support you. Reach out anytime, and let’s work together to make your NDIS experience better.