The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) has announced a significant update to its my NDIS mobile app, designed to make the digital experience more accessible, easier to navigate and ultimately more useful for participants managing their plans on the go. The changes are scheduled to begin rolling out from February 2026, with users either receiving the update automatically or being prompted to install it manually once available.

This update marks one of the most substantial improvements to the my NDIS app since its rollout, focusing on features that participants, nominees and representatives have been requesting — including clearer interfaces, more intuitive navigation and better accessibility support.

Why the Update Matters

The my NDIS app complements the online participant portals — including the my NDIS online portal and the older myplace system — by giving users a way to manage aspects of their plans using a smartphone. Through the app, participants and nominees can view plans and budgets, submit claims (especially for self-managed plans), upload evidence, track claim statuses and receive notifications.

For many users, having the ability to perform these tasks from their mobile devices — without needing to access a desktop computer — has been a long-awaited convenience. Yet until now, the app’s functionality and usability weren’t always universally praised, especially among participants with various accessibility needs. This latest update specifically targets those challenges.

Core Enhancements in the Update

The app update is structured around several key areas aimed at improving the core user experience:

1. Accessibility and Usability Improvements

One of the most notable additions is enhanced accessibility support, aimed at making the app easier to use for people with a wide range of abilities. Key improvements include:

• Clearer error messaging and guidance so that users can understand what to do if something goes wrong in the app.
• Support for larger text sizes, enabling users who require larger fonts to comfortably read and interact with app content.
• Dark mode support for users who prefer or require it as part of their device’s settings.
• Enhanced support for screen readers, including better VoiceOver behaviour that removes repetitive announcements after every keystroke — a change that makes completing forms significantly easier for users with visual impairments.

These changes have been developed with direct input from participants who took part in surveys, working groups and testing sessions, reflecting the NDIA’s intent to co-design the app with real end-users rather than assume what improvements were needed.

2. Navigation and Interface Updates

The update also focuses on simplifying how participants move through the app’s screens and menus. This includes:

• Simplified navigation menus designed to feel familiar and predictable, particularly for users who may struggle with complex digital interfaces.
• Consistent navigation icons and behaviour, which help participants recognise where they are in the app and what options are available next.
• A new date picker aligned to the look and feel of each user’s phone operating system, while still allowing manual date entry where needed.
• Adjustments to the layout on screens such as “Your Goals,” removing text limits and converting free-type fields into clearer lists to reduce excessive scrolling.

These modifications are especially helpful for users who may rely on predictable touch targets and simple navigation hierarchies, such as older participants or those with cognitive or motor impairments.

3. Improved Claiming Features

Making and managing claims is one of the app’s central functions, and the update includes enhancements to streamline this process:

• A new prompt feature that highlights potential issues with a claim before it is submitted (for example, when the description entered doesn’t match typical NDIS support types). This prompt gives participants the chance to confirm or correct the information before submission.
• An advanced invoice recognition tool (initially for Apple iPhone users) that can identify whether a photo or scan is a valid receipt or invoice supporting a claim. If the image is blurry or otherwise unusable, the app will encourage users to capture a clearer photo. The NDIA has indicated a plan to bring this feature to Android users in the future.

These features address common frustrations where incorrect data or unclear documentation would lead to delays in processing claims. By providing real-time feedback before a claim is lodged, participants can reduce errors without needing to navigate a slow back-and-forth process with support staff.

4. Plan Management and Notifications

While the update does not change how plans are managed or what participants can do with their funds, it does introduce better notification handling:

• Participants will now receive plan updates and messages through a dedicated notification menu instead of pop-up alerts, making it easier to find and review updates at a later time.
• Minor refinements to the sign-in experience have been introduced, so that the login process is clearer and more consistent with other government services — crucial for security and ensuring users can access the right information quickly.

These messaging refinements are designed to reduce confusion, especially for participants who may have multiple systems connected to their myGov account, such as Medicare or tax services.

What Stays the Same

Importantly, while the app’s look and feel will change, there are no fundamental changes to the way participants manage their NDIS plans using the app. The process for checking budgets, viewing plan details, submitting claims and uploading documents remains consistent with existing workflows.

The update is intended to be an evolution of usability, not a revolution in functionality, meaning that users familiar with the current app should still recognise and feel comfortable with its basic uses after the update.

Background: The My NDIS App’s Role in the Scheme

The my NDIS app is part of a broader digital ecosystem that supports participants in managing their NDIS supports with flexibility and autonomy. It works alongside the more comprehensive NDIS participant portal (my NDIS portal) and the legacy myplace portal.

Since its introduction, the app has been continually refined and expanded based on user feedback and technological advancements. Its original purpose was to provide a mobile-friendly alternative for plan management, especially for self-managed participants who frequently need to make and track claims.

Feedback from users over time has contributed to ongoing development efforts. Earlier versions of the app were praised for bringing plan details and budgeting tools into the palm of a participant’s hand, but also criticised for navigation difficulties, inconsistent error messaging and limited accessibility for users with disabilities that affect digital interaction. The current update directly targets many of those concerns.

Technical and Support Expectations

The update is set to begin in February 2026, and participants should see either an automatic update or a prompt to update the app once the new version becomes available for their device. Because the app works closely with participants’ myGov login credentials and the NDIA’s secure systems, keeping both the app and the underlying operating system up to date is important for both functionality and security.

For participants who do experience issues after the update or need assistance, the NDIA encourages them to contact the National Contact Centre or use the feedback feature within the app itself (found under More → Settings → Provide feedback).

User Feedback and Co-Design Approach

One noteworthy aspect of this update is the NDIA’s emphasis on participant involvement in its design process. The announcement explicitly states that app users contributed to the redesign through surveys, working groups and testing, ensuring that adjustments are not just technically sensible but grounded in real user needs.

This co-design approach reflects a broader trend in how digital services for social programs are being developed: involving users directly in iterative improvements helps ensure tools are intuitive, accessible and genuinely helpful. For people with disability — who may face a wide range of accessibility challenges — such involvement is critical to creating tools that work for a diverse user base.

Looking Ahead

The update to the my NDIS mobile app represents an important step in the ongoing digital transformation of the NDIS. It focuses on accessibility, clarity and usability, aligning with broader goals of making the Scheme easier to navigate and more responsive to participant feedback.

While the core functionality of planning, claiming and managing funds remains stable, these improvements are expected to benefit a wide range of users — from those with long experience using digital tools to participants who are newer to mobile plan management. Enhanced accessibility features, clearer navigation and smarter prompting during claim submission are all aimed at reducing errors, frustration and delays.

As the digital landscape continues to evolve, future updates to the app and related portals are likely to follow, with ongoing consultation and feedback shaping their design. For now, participants should prepare for a smoother, more accessible my NDIS experience starting in early 2026.