The NDIS Support Needs Assessment (I-CAN): How to Prepare
The NDIS support needs assessment explained: when it starts, what the I-CAN tool measures, and clear steps to prepare and describe your real support needs.
What is the NDIS support needs assessment?
When does the new assessment start?
What does the I-CAN tool measure?
What happens on the day of the assessment?
How do I prepare for the support needs assessment?
Describe your worst days, not just your average day
A real-life example
How does the assessment affect my plan and budget?
What about children under 18?
Common pitfalls to avoid
What if I disagree with the outcome?
What to do next
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to gather my own medical reports for the support needs assessment?
Not in the way you had to before. The assessment itself becomes the main evidence of your support needs, based on your conversation with the assessor. It is still worth bringing any current reports you already have in case they are useful, but the focus is on describing your everyday life honestly and fully.
Can someone come with me to the assessment?
Yes. You can bring a family member, carer, advocate or support coordinator, and it is often a good idea. Someone who knows your daily reality can help you explain the hard parts, especially if talking about difficult days is tiring. Tell the NDIA in advance about any communication, access or interpreter needs so the assessment suits you.
Will the new assessment cut my funding?
No one can tell you your individual result in advance, and anyone who promises one is guessing. What is confirmed is that critical daily-living and personal-care supports are not part of the participation budget reset. The best thing you can do is describe your real support needs, including your hardest days, so the assessment reflects your actual life.
When will my assessment happen?
The new framework rolls out progressively from around 1 April 2027 through to the end of 2030, and most existing participants move across as their plan renews. That means your assessment could be well into the rollout. Dates have already shifted once, so confirm your timing directly with the NDIA rather than relying on any published date.
What if I disagree with the assessment result?
Ask the NDIA to explain how the decision was made and whether anything was missed. You can request a review, and decisions can ultimately be challenged at the Administrative Review Tribunal. A free, independent disability advocate can support you, and extra appeals advocacy funding has been provided for 2026-27.