The NDIA has launched its latest annual participant survey, offering a significant opportunity for participants, families and carers to share their experiences and influence the future direction of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). The survey opens on 20 October 2025 and will remain open until 19 December 2025.

Why This Survey Matters

This is the survey under the agency’s Long Form Outcomes Framework (LFOF). It plays a key role in gathering detailed information about how participants and their support networks are experiencing life, supports, and services under the NDIS.

By collecting this data, the NDIA can:

• Understand which supports work best and lead to better outcomes.

• Benchmark participant experiences against the broader Australian population and internationally.

• Use the findings to shape improvements across planning, supports and service delivery.

• Complement the shorter survey (Short Form Outcomes Framework, or SFOF) which many participants complete.

In short: your feedback matters. It directly feeds into how supports are designed and how the NDIS evolves.

Survey Participation: Who, How & When

Who is asked to participate?
Participants, along with their families or carers, are invited to take part. For children under 18, a parent or carer may be asked to answer. In some cases, the agency may contact both a participant and their informal carer to get a fuller picture from different perspectives.

How will the survey be delivered?
An independent provider, contracted by the NDIA, will conduct the survey via phone, SMS or email. Text messages may include a link to the survey or prompt a call-back. If you receive a call from a number such as 1300 355 142 or a text from 0488 855 790, these are legitimate contacts related to the survey. If in doubt, participants can verify by contacting the NDIA’s general number.

When does it run?
The survey window runs from 20 October to 19 December 2025. During this time, participants may be invited to respond. Completing the survey during this window ensures your input is counted toward the annual cycle of NDIS outcome-data collection.

What the Survey Covers

The Long Form Outcomes Framework survey asks detailed questions across a range of life domains. These include:

• Your daily life and living arrangements.

• Social participation, community involvement and belonging.

• Choice and control over supports and services.

• Employment and economic participation.

• Health, wellbeing and personal development.

• Support from informal carers, family and networks.

Because this is a “long form” survey, it features more detailed, nuanced questions than the shorter version, and aims to capture deeper insight into the experiences of participants and their support systems.

How Your Input Makes a Difference

Collecting robust, high-quality data helps shape the scheme in several ways:

• Improved service delivery: By knowing what participants actually experience, the NDIA can adjust, refine or redesign policies and supports to better meet real-world needs.

• Greater transparency and accountability: Data-driven results help the scheme track progress, highlight gaps and show how it compares nationally and internationally.

• Evidence base for reform: When planning major reforms (such as changes to planning, pricing, or supports), the NDIA uses this kind of data to justify and design better systems.

• Stronger participant voice: Historically, participants and carers have called for more say in designing supports. This survey is one mechanism that allows your voice to influence the future of supports.

Preparing Yourself for the Survey

Here are a few tips to help you feel ready and engaged:

• Expect a call, text or email during the survey window. Be aware of the legitimate numbers so you can trust the invitation.

• Think about your experiences over the past year: your supports, what went well, what could improve. Having notes or reflections handy can help.

• Gather any feedback from your informal carer or family, if applicable—they may also be surveyed.

• Be honest and open—the value of the data depends on accurate insight into daily life, not just “success stories.”

• If uncertain, you can always call the NDIA to verify the survey call or message before proceeding.

What Happens After the Survey

Once responses are collected:

• The agency will collate and analyse the data.

• Findings and reports will be published via the NDIA’s data and research site.

• The results will help inform changes across planning, supports, pricing and system design.

• Participants may see subsequent improvements in how their plan is developed, how supports are delivered and how systems respond to their goals.

Why It’s Important for All Participants and Carers

Whether you’ve just joined the NDIS or have been in the scheme for years, this survey offers a unique opportunity:

• If you’ve had a positive year, your voice helps show what works so others can benefit.

• If you’ve had challenges, your experience helps highlight where supports might need adjustment.

• Carers and families can bring a different viewpoint, helping the NDIA understand lived experience from multiple angles.

• Over time, participation strengthens the evidence base and supports continuous improvement of the scheme.

Looking Ahead: Connecting Survey Insights With Scheme Reform

The NDIS is in a period of continuous reform and improvement. Data from this survey will play a crucial role in shaping future directions:

• Enhancements to the planning process may better reflect participant goals and outcomes.

• Pricing reviews may adjust cost models if data shows certain supports deliver stronger outcomes.

• Regional or demographic variations may be addressed if patterns show certain groups are under-represented or disadvantaged.

• System-wide improvements in choice, control and support pathways may be accelerated.

By participating, you help catalyse change that benefits the wider disability community—not just your own plan.

Conclusion

The annual participant survey begins on 20 October 2025 and is open until 19 December 2025. It’s an important tool for you, your family and carers to contribute to the evolution of the NDIS.

Your honest feedback — about what works, what doesn’t, and what could be done differently — helps the scheme become more responsive, more effective and more aligned with participant goals.

Take the opportunity to have your say. Your experience matters.