NDIS Pricing Arrangements & Price Limits (PAPL) 2026-27 Explained
The NDIS price guide 2026 explained: what the 2026-27 PAPL changed, price limits vs wages, SIL and super updates, and how to set compliant prices.
What the PAPL is (and why the name changed)
What changed in the 2026-27 PAPL
The price limit is what you charge — not what you pay staff
A worked example: where the money actually goes
Reading a line item and its support category
Super to 12% and the squeeze on margin
SIL pricing has been restructured
'Prove and pay' changes your cash flow
The 90-day claim window (bill-dependent)
Registered vs unregistered: pricing may diverge
Setting your prices under the PAPL without breaching the rules
What to do before your next claim
Frequently asked questions
Is the NDIS price guide 2026 the same as the PAPL?
Yes. 'NDIS price guide 2026' is the informal name providers still use for the Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits (PAPL). The 2026-27 PAPL was published on 23 June 2026 and applies from 1 July 2026. Always work from the current version on ndis.gov.au, as figures can be amended mid-year.
Does the PAPL tell me what to pay my support workers?
No. The PAPL only sets the maximum a provider can charge a participant's plan. Worker wages are set by the SCHADS award (MA000100) through Fair Work, typically around $31 to $44 per hour depending on level and time of day. The gap between the price limit and the wage covers super, insurance, admin, supervision and margin — it is not all profit.
Can I charge more than the PAPL price limit?
Not for plan-managed or agency-managed participants — the limit is a legal ceiling. You can charge less, and you can set different prices for different participants, but the price must be transparent in the service agreement and must not exploit the participant under the NDIS Code of Conduct. Self-managed participants have more flexibility, but overcharging still carries reputational and compliance risk.
When does the 90-day claim window start?
The proposed cut from two years to 90 days is slated for 1 December 2026, but it is bill-dependent — it relies on the 'Securing the NDIS for Future Generations' Bill 2026 passing. Confirm the status and commencement date against health.gov.au and the Federal Register of Legislation before changing your billing cycle. Even so, claiming promptly is already the safer habit under 'prove and pay'.
How did SIL pricing change on 1 July 2026?
The flat overnight model was replaced with tiered active and passive overnight rates, and Rosters of Care are now submitted and approved digitally with justification. SIL and digital-platform providers also moved into mandatory registration under new group 0138, with existing providers audited against the SIL Supplementary Module at their next scheduled audit. Confirm the current SIL line items in the 2026-27 PAPL before rebuilding your rosters.