Self-Management Advisory Group meeting summary September 2026

The Self-Management Advisory Group (SMAG) met on Thursday, 17 September 2026. The meeting was held online.

Focus of the meeting

The focus of the September meeting was:

• NDIA update.
• Improving NDIA guidance: Spending funds, record keeping and claiming.

NDIA update

The NDIA update included:

Securing the NDIS for future generations Bill

• On 19 August 2026, the government passed the National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill.
• This means there will be changes to the NDIS, including:
  • Changes to the plan reassessment process.
  • Changes to record keeping requirements:
    • Self-managers are now legally required to keep records for 3 years.
  • The NDIS Minister now has the power to make:
    • Support determinations.
    • Pricing determinations.
  • Support determinations will start to be applied to new and reassessed plans from 1 October 2026.
  • The NDIA can use automated systems to make some decisions.
• The NDIA has not introduced this change yet. The NDIA will publish information before it starts using these systems.

New way of planning

• The new way of planning will begin in April 2027.
• To learn more about the new way of planning and consultation opportunities, please visit:
  • Changes to the NDIS
  • New Framework Planning and NDIS Supports Consultation
  • NDIS Reforms Consultation Hub
  • Tell us what you want to know about NDIS reforms
  • Securing the NDIS for future generations timeline

Annual Pricing Review

The NDIA is preparing for the 2027–28 Annual Pricing Review (APR) consultation. The NDIA will publish more information on the NDIS website when it becomes available.

Improving NDIA guidance: Spending funds, record keeping and claiming

The NDIA is developing a guide to help participants understand how to make a claim. This guide will complement the Self-Management Guide. It will also help participants who use a plan manager.

The guide will include information about:

• Spending NDIS funds.
• Record keeping.
• How to make a claim.
• How the NDIA monitors claims and payments.

Member feedback included:

• Clearly explain what participants can claim.
• Show how to use support categories when making a claim. Include examples of the different claiming categories.
• Explain what information a participant needs to provide when making a claim.
• Explain what records participants need to keep and why.
• Improve communication when a claim is denied:
  • Explain why the claim was denied.
  • Explain what extra information is needed when resubmitting the claim.
• Clearly show which information applies to self-managed participants and which applies to plan-managed participants. This will help participants find the information they need more quickly.

Next meeting

The next SMAG meeting is scheduled for Thursday, 12 November 2026.