March 11, 2026
In-home Care
NDIA Releases NDIS Quarterly Report 2025–26
The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) has released the latest NDIS Quarterly Report 2025–26 for Quarter 2 (October–December 2025).
The report provides important updates on how the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is evolving from participant numbers and access timelines to employment outcomes, pricing updates, and service trends.
But beyond the statistics, the report also tells a broader story. It shows how the Scheme is growing, how participant outcomes are improving, and where services still need to adapt.
In this blog, we’ll break down the key highlights in simple terms and explore what these changes could mean for participants, families, and service providers.
NDIS Participation Continues to Grow
The NDIS continues to expand across Australia. As of December 2025, the Scheme supports 761,442 Australians living with disability.
This steady growth shows how essential the Scheme has become for individuals and families who rely on funded supports. At the same time, it also means the system must continue improving its processes, timeframes, and service delivery.
As more participants join the Scheme, consistency and clarity become even more important. That is why the NDIA is focusing on clearer decision-making pathways and better service coordination across the sector.
Faster Access Decisions for New Participants
Encouragingly, the report highlights improvements in access decision timelines.
During this quarter:
92% of access decisions were made within 21 days
78% of people who met access requirements reported a good or very good experience
This improvement matters because timely decisions allow participants to begin accessing supports sooner. As a result, individuals can start building routines, connecting with services, and working toward their goals without unnecessary delays.
In other words, faster access helps participants move from waiting to living.
Community Participation Is Increasing
One of the most meaningful insights from the report is the improvement in community and social participation.
For participants aged 15 and over, participation increased from 34% at baseline to 41% at the latest reassessment.
Across age groups, the growth is noticeable:
25–34 years: 33% → 43%
35–44 years: 33% → 41%
65+ years: 36% → 43%
Interestingly, the report also shows that participation improves the longer someone remains in the Scheme.
For participants in the NDIS for six years or more, participation increased from 37% to 46%.
This trend highlights an important reality: meaningful outcomes usually happen over time. When supports are consistent and aligned with a person’s goals, the results often build gradually.
Employment Outcomes Show Positive Momentum
Employment outcomes also showed progress.
Across working-age participants (15–64 years), the number of people in paid employment increased from 21% to 23%.
However, the most significant change occurred among young participants.
For people aged 15–24, employment participation rose dramatically:
10% → 23%
This increase reflects the importance of early employment pathways. Supports such as skill development, confidence building, routine creation, and workplace preparation can make a meaningful difference for young people entering the workforce.
Choice and Control Continue to Improve
Choice and control sit at the heart of the NDIS philosophy.
According to the report, 82% of participants aged 15+ who have been in the Scheme for more than two years reported greater choice and control, compared with 68% at their first check-in.
This is a significant shift.
When participants feel more empowered to make decisions about their supports, they are more likely to shape services around their own lifestyle, preferences, and goals.
And ultimately, that is exactly what the NDIS was designed to achieve.
Home and Living Supports: Progress and Challenges
The report also provides updates on home and living supports, which remain one of the more complex areas of the Scheme.
During this quarter:
7,914 home and living applications were received
8,895 applications were closed or implemented
96% were closed or implemented within 90 days
While most decisions are progressing efficiently, delays still occur when supporting evidence is incomplete.
Of the 850 applications awaiting decisions, 194 were waiting for additional information from participants.
This highlights how important documentation and supporting reports can be when applying for complex supports.
Safety and Safeguarding Remain a Priority
Another key focus in the report is participant safety.
Although critical incidents decreased during the quarter, the most common themes remained:
Abuse or neglect
Risk of self-harm or attempted self-harm
These findings reinforce the importance of strong safeguarding systems, clear incident reporting processes, and well-trained support workers who know how to escalate concerns quickly.
Safety is not just a compliance requirement. It is a fundamental part of delivering quality disability support.
Outreach in Rural and Remote Communities
Access to services can be more challenging in rural and remote areas.
To address this, the NDIA has expanded its Mobile Service Centre program, visiting 185 locations across rural and remote areas of NSW, Queensland, South Australia, and Tasmania.
Additionally, the report highlights progress in Maningrida, where a direct commissioning approach is improving access to therapy services while also supporting local employment and training opportunities.
These initiatives are designed to ensure that participants receive reliable services regardless of where they live.
Pricing Updates and Future Reviews
The report also confirms several pricing developments.
New price limits for art and music therapy supports were introduced in November 2025. Meanwhile, the NDIA has outlined a three-year pricing work plan to ensure the system remains sustainable.
Consultations are also underway for the 2025–26 Annual Pricing Review, which will examine pricing across multiple support categories, including:
Disability support work
Therapy services
Support coordination
Plan management
Social and community participation
Regular pricing reviews help ensure providers can continue delivering high-quality supports while adapting to evolving service models and participant needs.
Supported Independent Living Remains a Major Support
Supported Independent Living (SIL) continues to be one of the largest funded support categories.
In this quarter alone:
$4.2 billion was delivered in SIL supports
36,755 participants were receiving SIL as of 31 December 2025
Given the scale and complexity of these supports, the NDIA continues to closely monitor trends in this area.
For many participants, SIL plays a critical role in enabling greater independence, stability, and everyday support.
What This Means for Participants and Providers
Overall, the NDIS Quarterly Report 2025–26 paints a picture of a Scheme that is growing, evolving, and gradually improving outcomes.
We are seeing:
Faster access decisions
Higher participation in community life
Improved employment outcomes for young people
Greater choice and control for participants
At the same time, the report also reminds us that meaningful outcomes take consistent support, collaboration, and time.
For participants and families, understanding these trends can help make sense of how the system is changing.
And for providers, it reinforces the importance of delivering supports that are reliable, person-centred, and aligned with individual goals.
Need Support Navigating Your NDIS Plan?
Understanding reports and policy updates is helpful. However, applying them to your daily support needs is where the real difference happens.
At Abled Care and Nursing Services, our team is committed to helping participants make the most of their **National Disability Insurance Scheme plans through personalised, reliable, and compassionate support.
Whether you need nursing care, daily living assistance, community participation support, or guidance with your NDIS plan, we’re here to help every step of the way.
📞 Get in touch with Abled Care and Nursing Services today to learn how our experienced team can support your goals and independence.
Your journey matters — and the right support can make all the difference.
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