What they mean, what’s changing, and how to have your say

The Government is consulting on new NDIS planning Rules that will significantly change how plans are created, how budgets are set, and how decisions are made.

Every Australian Counts is hosting a community forum to help our community understand what’s being proposed, what remains unclear, and what we need to fight for together.

We’ll start with Muriel Cummins from the EAC Steering Committee, who will provide clear background on the proposed rules and why they matter.

Then we’ll move to a panel discussion with:

• Naomi Anderson, Legal Practice Manager at Villamanta
• Belinda Kochanowska, Principal Solicitor at Intrepidus Law
• Matthew Hall, National Manager – Systemic Advocacy and Policy at AFDO

They will unpack the legal, policy and real-world impacts of the proposed changes.

What we’ll cover

In this session, we’ll walk through the key elements of the proposed New Framework Planning Rules, including:

• Support Needs Assessments: What they are, who conducts them, and how they may be used to set plan budgets.
• Budget setting and transparency: What we know so far, what hasn’t been explained yet, and why transparency matters.
• Choice, control and flexibility: How people are worried these may be affected, and what safeguards are important.
• Reviews and appeals: What people are concerned about if decisions are wrong, and what fair review processes should look like.
• Real-life complexity: How the proposed approach may affect people with complex, changing, psychosocial, regional or high-cost support needs. 

Why this forum matters

Every Australian Counts is preparing a submission to the Government’s consultation on these new rules. That submission needs to reflect the experiences and concerns of our community 

We also want to understand the key issues that you want EAC to campaign on.

This forum is a chance to:

• Hear what others are experiencing
• Ask questions in a supportive space
• Share what matters most to you
• Inform EAC’s advocacy

Have your say

Alongside the forum, EAC is running a short survey to collect lived experience and views on the proposed changes. Survey responses will be used in our submission, de-identified unless you choose otherwise.

The consultation closes 6 March 2026, so this is a key moment to be heard.

👉 Click here to register for the forum.

👉 Click here to complete our New Framework Planning Rules Survey

A note of care

We know that discussions about NDIS changes can feel stressful or overwhelming. You’re welcome to step away at any time. 

If you need additional support, Beyond Blue is available on 1300 22 4636 and Lifeline on 13 11 14.