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On 22 April 2026, Health Minister Mark Butler announced major reforms to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). The changes have been described as a 'reset' with the intention to refocus the scheme, reduce spending and ensure long-term sustainability. While the reforms are wide-ranging, they will not take effect immediately and will be introduced gradually over time. The Government will introduce the National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill next month, then there will be a lot of debate and community consultation before we see any changes take effect. Here's an explainer of the announcement and the key takeaways. Why the 'reset'? The NDIS was established to support people in Australia living with 'permanent and significant disability' 13 years ago. Since then, its rapid growth has seen the scheme expand much faster than originally forecast. Spending increasing by 10-14 per cent per year. Today, there are more than 75

On 1 November 2025, the Australian Government officially launched the Support at Home program. It's the long-awaited refresh to the way in-home aged care is delivered. The new program is designed to improve access to services, equipment and home modifications that help older people stay safe, active and connected to their communities. Support at Home forms part of the new Aged Care Act , which gives older people more control over the care they receive. Services will be tailored to individual needs, preferences and goals, with greater opportunities for participants to make choices. What's new in Support at Home? The program introduces a range of changes to how aged care is delivered. Some key features include: Ongoing services with 8 funding classifications to better cater for a range of participant needs, with the highest now offering around $78,000 per year. Short-term services with 3 short-term classifications: Stronger preventative care, with the Restorative Care Pathway replacing

A note on language: At Mable, we use 'identity-first' language when referring to autism and autistic people. We've made this decision based on feedback from our community. We understand different people have different preferences, and we recognise and respect every individual's right to choose how their identity is described. On 20 August 2025, a new government program called 'Thriving Kids' was announced. It will support children with 'mild to moderate' developmental delays and autism. The announcement Disability and NDIS Minister Mark Butler made the announcement of the program, which will sit outside of the NDIS and is hoped to moderate the growth of the scheme. "Diverting this group of kids over time from the NDIS is an important element of making the scheme sustainable and returning it to its original intent," he said at the National Press Club . When will it happen? The minister said he hopes Thriving Kids will launch by 1 July 2026 and then roll out in phases over the f

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) has released its 2025–26 Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits (PAPL), effective from 1 July 2025. The changes aim to ensure fairness, reduce unnecessary costs, and align pricing with the broader market. What are the NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits? The Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits (previously known as the Price Guide) are rules and maximum price caps that can be charged to plan and agency managed NDIS participants for services under the NDIS. They are also helpful for self-managing participants as a guide for negotiating the price of the services they receive. These arrangements are designed to ensure that NDIS Participants receive value for money, and that their supports remain affordable and consistent across the scheme. Please note that agency managed NDIS participants cannot use Mable and must use a registered NDIS provider. When are they in effect? The 2025–26 Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits take eff

From 19 May, the NDIA introduced changes to the way NDIS plans are funded. Previously, most NDIS participants had access to all of their funding at the beginning of their plan, and were expected to manage it over the course of the plan period. Now, different funding periods will be introduced to new and reassessed plans. What are funding periods? A funding period refers to the time when a portion of your NDIS plan funding is made available. It can apply to the entire plan budget, or just certain components of your funding. Funding components Your plan funding is divided into components (these were formally known as budget categories), which group together similar types of supports. The 3 main components are: Core - for everyday supports and activities Capacity building - to help build your skills and independence Capital - for one-off purchases like assistive technology or home modifications. Some NDIS plans on PACE provide recurring supports - these are supports the NDIS pays to

From August 2025, the NDIS Worker Screening Check will replace police checks as a mandatory requirement for new independent support workers signing up to Mable. This is to ensure our commitment to client safety and to keep up with increasing regulation in the industry. The NDIS Worker Screening Check is valid for five years, and despite its name, is a standardised national assessment for workers who work with people with a disability or older Australians. This check is a highly recognised qualification in the Australian care industry; it is transferable, and is widely accepted by most care providers and businesses. Existing independent support workers can continue to use the platform as per usual. However, from August 2025, once your current police check expires, you will be required to have an NDIS Worker Screening Check. We'll send you a reminder when your police check is expiring so you can plan ahead. If your police check expires prior to August 2025, you will need to renew it via

Business Solutions by Mable is an end-to-end solution leveraging technology built for both NDIS Coordinators and Aged Care Providers, alongside expert account management. Access a diverse network of over 21,000 independent support workers, including nurses, across Australia to help find the right fit for your clients, while we help you to meet your ongoing compliance needs. With over 10 years of industry-leading innovation in the sector, this is the proven solution to drive positive outcomes for your clients and improve your operational efficiency. How Business Solutions by Mable can help your business Designed to simplify and support care coordination, there are many benefits of engaging Business Solutions by Mable. Boost client satisfaction and experience Build lasting relationships and cultivate positive client experiences with access to a diverse network of independent support workers. It's fast to find them the right support and ensure continued care is deliv

This article uses identity-first language (e.g., “autistic person”) to reflect the preferences of many in the autistic community. We respect all language choices and aim to be inclusive and respectful in our writing. In January 2025, the Australian Government released its first National Autism Strategy ('Strategy'), which aims to create a "safe and inclusive society where all autistic people are supported and empowered to thrive." Due to roll out over 7 years, the Strategy comes with 22 commitments focused on 4 key reform areas: Social inclusion Economic inclusion Diagnosis, services and support Health. The steps to improve health, including mental health, will be covered in more detail in the upcoming National Autism Health Roadmap . Why we need a Strategy The Australian Bureau of Statistics research shows that at least 290,000 Australians live with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) . According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare , the number of autism diagnoses ha

On 25 November 2024, the new Aged Care Bill passed Parliament and will establish a new Aged Care Act . About the new Aged Care Act The Australian Government is bringing in a new Aged Care Act that will make significant changes to aged care in Australia. The new Act is rights-based, meaning that it puts the rights of older people first. The Act gives older people more control, with care designed around their personal needs and goals. This means greater empowerment for them to make choices and have their preferences respected. What are some of the changes in the Act? Some of the key changes in the Act include: Investing $4.3 billion into the new Support at Home program that will come into effect on 1 November 2025. Improving the funding and quality of residential aged care. Creating new laws to protect older people in aged care, with stronger powers to investigate bad behaviour and penalties for people found not to meet the standards. When does the Act come into effect? The new Act is