Introduction

If you’re an NDIS participant or a provider supporting one, you may have wondered:

“Can I end my current NDIS plan and switch to one that better fits my needs?”

The answer is yes—but it depends on your circumstances.

The NDIS is designed to be flexible and responsive to participant needs. If your current plan no longer suits your situation—whether due to health changes, service access issues, or life transitions—there are clear pathways to request a new or updated plan.

In this guide, we’ll walk through when and how you can request a change to your plan, what the process involves, and how to maximise your chances of success.

🔁 Can You End Your Current NDIS Plan?

Technically, no—you can’t “end” your plan early, but you can request a review or variation to change it.

Your current plan remains active until the NDIA reviews and approves a new one. You don’t stop receiving funding in the meantime.

Relevant Source: NDIS Act 2013 – Section 47 (Review of a participant’s plan)

NDIS Operational Guidelines – Plan Reassessment & Variation Requests

🧭 Step-by-Step: How to Change Your Current NDIS Plan

Step 1: Know the Two Types of Changes

There are two main ways to change your plan before it ends:

PathwayPurposePlan Reassessment (Full Review)Replace your current plan with a new one based on updated needsPlan Variation (Minor Change)Make small updates—like adding a support or correcting an error

Note: Plan reassessments can result in increased, decreased, or unchanged funding—depending on the evidence you provide.

Step 2: Determine the Reason for the Change

You’ll need to clearly explain why your current plan no longer meets your needs.

Common reasons include:

• Worsening or improving health condition
• Relocation or housing changes
• Change in informal supports
• Unable to access services due to plan structure
• Wrong budget allocations (e.g. no transport support)

Step 3: Gather Supporting Evidence

Just like applying for the NDIS, requesting a change requires documentation:

• Updated allied health reports
• Quotes for necessary supports or assistive tech
• Service provider letters
• Functional impact assessments

📌 Use the “Change of Situation” form available on the NDIS website

Step 4: Submit Your Request

You can submit your reassessment request via:

• Your Local Area Coordinator (LAC)
• Early Childhood Partner
• NDIS direct line (1800 800 110)

Make sure your documentation is comprehensive and up to date.

Step 5: Continue Using Your Current Plan

While you wait for a new plan to be approved, your existing plan remains active and valid.

If you're concerned about overspending or underspending during this waiting period, a support coordinator or plan manager can help you rebalance usage.

👤 Real-World Example: Priya, 29, Plan Reassessment Success

Priya’s psychosocial disability was becoming more complex. Her current plan didn’t include support coordination or enough funding for therapy. With the help of her psychologist and plan manager, she:

• Submitted updated mental health reports
• Included a letter from her housing provider explaining her increased needs
• Requested a full reassessment

Outcome: Her new plan included 20 hours of support coordination, increased therapy funding, and transport.

🧠 Key Reminders

• You can’t cancel an NDIS plan—but you can request changes anytime
• Requests can take several weeks to process
• Reassessments should be evidence-based and goal-focused

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

🚫 Submitting vague or unsupported requests

🚫 Asking for funding increases without explaining the need

🚫 Failing to use your current plan while you wait

🚫 Thinking the NDIA will “automatically know” about life changes

🧰 How Assist Providers Can Help

Navigating a plan change can feel daunting—but you don’t have to do it alone.

Assist Providers supports:

✅ Participants with documentation & evidence collection

✅ Providers in preparing audit-friendly progress reports

✅ Families with understanding plan variation vs reassessment

✅ Organisations with staff training on NDIS change processes

When your plan no longer fits, we help you find a better one.

✅ Final Thoughts

The NDIS is meant to evolve with you. If your plan no longer works for your situation, you have the right—and the tools—to request a change. With the right preparation and support, you can advocate for a plan that truly meets your needs.

Plans may not be perfect, but the process to improve them is within your reach.