The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is preparing to introduce a new planning system that will see participants’ funding and support plans generated through a computer tool — marking a significant change in how disability supports are determined and approved. The changes form part of the NDIA’s broader planning reform, set to begin rolling out from mid-2026 under its revamped framework.
What “Computer-Generated Plans” Really Means
Recent reporting has sparked discussion about “computer-generated NDIS plans,” though officials clarify that the shift does not mean final decisions are handed over to artificial intelligence. Instead, the planning process will incorporate a digital assessment tool — known as the Instrument for the Classification and Assessment of Support Needs (I-CAN) — to help calculate individual budgets based on each participant’s assessed support needs.
Participants will meet with a trained assessor who conducts a structured conversation about personal circumstances, daily challenges and support requirements. That information, along with responses to a supplementary questionnaire, will be entered into the I-CAN tool to generate a Support Needs Assessment and a corresponding draft funding figure. The designated NDIA staff member must then approve the final plan.
Although the I-CAN program is computer-based, the agency insists the process remains grounded in human assessment — and that assessors and trained staff are responsible for interpreting results and engaging with participants. The NDIA also says the tool is not artificial intelligence.
A Major Shift in Plan Development
The shift is part of the NDIS’s commitment to build a planning system that delivers more consistent, simpler and transparent outcomes across the scheme. Under the previous method, budgets were negotiated through detailed evidence and professional reports, which advocates and the NDIA say could lead to inconsistency and administrative burden. The introduction of a digital assessment aims to streamline this process and reduce the need for participants to gather and pay for multiple external reports.
Participant Rights and Review Options
Participants will retain the right to request a plan review if they disagree with the outcomes, including internal reviews by the NDIA or external reviews. However, recent discussions suggest that under the new system, external review bodies — such as the Administrative Review Tribunal — may no longer be able to directly amend a participant’s plan funding. Instead, they could only order a fresh assessment using the same digital tool. This represents a significant change in review rights and has drawn concern from disability advocates.
Benefits and Concerns
Supporters of the new model argue it could lead to fairer, more consistent and less subjective planning outcomes, and reduce the stress and cost associated with compiling extensive medical or allied health evidence. They also point to the potential for faster plan turnaround times and a clearer understanding of how budgets are calculated.
However, some disability advocacy groups have expressed concern that heavy reliance on a computer-generated system could undermine individualised planning, especially for people with complex needs that may not easily fit into a standardised assessment. They argue that human judgment, deep contextual understanding and flexible consideration of independent evidence remain essential to ensuring equitable support.
What’s Next
As the NDIS prepares to introduce this planning change, information sessions are being held with staff and stakeholders to familiarise them with the new I-CAN-based process. The rollout will be staged, with full implementation expected from mid-2026. Participants and providers are encouraged to stay informed and engage with the NDIA to understand how the updated planning model may affect their support plans and review options.
