The 'Getting the NDIS Back on Track' Act, in Plain English
The Getting the NDIS Back on Track Act in plain English: the new supports definition, needs assessment and planning rules, and what they mean for you.
The law that runs the NDIS changed in 2024, through an amendment with a long official name and a big effect: the Getting the NDIS Back on Track Act. It sets up a clearer definition of what the NDIS funds, a new way of working out plans, and tighter rules about how money is managed and spent. This guide translates the main changes into everyday language, and is honest about which parts are already…
What the Act actually is
A clearer definition of 'NDIS supports'
A new way of planning
How you enter and stay in the scheme
Rules about managing and spending funds
What it means for you day to day
Where this sits in the bigger reform
Frequently asked questions
When did the Getting the NDIS Back on Track Act start?
It passed Parliament in August 2024 and the first changes began on 3 October 2024. It is an amendment act, so its provisions switch on gradually as supporting rules and systems are developed. The new way of planning, in particular, is being rolled out over time rather than all at once.
What is the new definition of NDIS supports?
The Act introduced a clearer definition setting out categories of supports the NDIS will fund and categories it will not. The goal is to reduce confusion and disputes about what a plan can pay for. Our guide 'The New NDIS Supports List: What's In and What's Out' explains the categories with…
Will my plan change because of this Act?
Not automatically or overnight. The bigger changes, like the new needs assessment and new-style budgets, are being introduced gradually. For now, keep purchases within the definition of an NDIS support, keep good records, and ask how the changes apply to you at your next plan review.
Can the NDIA change how my plan is managed?
The Act gives the Agency clearer powers to set or change your plan management type — self-managed, plan-managed or agency-managed — where there is a good reason, such as helping someone who is struggling to manage funds. If this is proposed for you, ask for the reasons and what options you have.
Related guides
- Foundational Supports Explained
- What NDIS Mandatory Registration Means for You
- NDIS Reform Tracker: Every Change and When It Starts
- The New Aged Care Act: What Families & Providers Need to Know
- The New NDIS Supports List: What's In and What's Out
- Support at Home: What Changed When It Launched (1 Nov 2025)