From mid-2026, the way your NDIS budget is calculated is changing. The NDIA is rolling out a new NDIS plan assessment tool — the I-CAN v6 Support Needs Assessment — as the foundation for its new framework planning approach. If you’re an NDIS participant (or about to become one), understanding this new tool will help you prepare for what’s coming.
The new NDIS plan assessment tool replaces the old system of collecting allied health reports with a guided conversation between you and a trained assessor, covering 12 areas of daily life. The goal: fairer, more consistent, more flexible NDIS plans.
In this guide, we explain exactly what the new NDIS plan assessment tool is, how it works, what to expect, and how to prepare — using verified information from the NDIA and official government sources.
What Is the NDIS Plan Assessment Tool?
The new NDIS plan assessment tool is called I-CAN v6 — the Instrument for Classification and Assessment of Support Needs, version 6. It’s a person-centred, strength-based assessment tool that the NDIA has selected to underpin its new way of planning.
Key Facts About I-CAN v6
- Developed by the University of Melbourne and the Centre for Disability Studies
- Used for over 20 years in Australia’s care and disability sector — it’s not new technology, just new to the NDIS
- Strength-based — focuses on what you CAN do with the right support, not just what you struggle with
- Measures 12 life domains — covering everything from mobility to relationships to mental health
- Takes about 3 hours — can be split across multiple meetings if needed
- Conducted by a trained assessor — in person or via video call, at a time and place that suits you
- For participants 16+ — children under 18 won’t be part of the initial rollout
Why the NDIS Needs a New Assessment Tool
The current NDIS planning process has been heavily criticised for being:
- Inconsistent — two participants with similar needs can get very different funding amounts
- Burdensome — requires extensive allied health reports, which cost money and take time
- Confusing — participants often don’t understand how their budget was calculated
- Rigid — plans are structured around individual supports, making it hard to adapt to changing needs
The 2023 NDIS Review recommended major changes to how plans are created, and the 2024 NDIS Act amendments enabled the move to a new assessment-based approach. The NDIS plan assessment tool is the centrepiece of these changes.
The 12 Life Domains the I-CAN Tool Measures
The I-CAN assessment covers 12 areas of daily life. Each area has sub-categories (most have 4 sub-categories, except physical health which has 10), and each is scored based on how much support you need and how often.
| # | Domain | What It Covers |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mobility | Moving around, transferring, using equipment |
| 2 | Self-Care | Personal hygiene, showering, dressing, toileting |
| 3 | Communication | Expressing yourself, understanding others, conversations |
| 4 | Relationships | Family, friends, romantic, professional connections |
| 5 | Physical Health | 10 sub-domains including nutrition, medication, chronic conditions |
| 6 | Mental Health | Emotional wellbeing, coping, mental health conditions |
| 7 | Domestic Life | Cooking, cleaning, shopping, household tasks |
| 8 | Community, Social & Civic Life | Managing money, self-advocacy, community participation |
| 9 | Learning & Education | Skills development, training, education access |
| 10 | Work & Employment | Job readiness, workplace support, career development |
| 11 | Major Life Areas | Housing, finances, legal matters, major transitions |
| 12 | Behaviour & Safety | Behavioural support needs, safety considerations |
How the I-CAN Assessment Works
Here’s what to expect when you have your assessment using the new NDIS plan assessment tool:
Step 1: You’ll Be Invited
The NDIA will contact you to arrange your assessment. You won’t need to do anything to trigger it — they’ll reach out as part of your regular plan cycle or when you apply.
Step 2: Choose When and Where
The assessment can happen:
- In person at your home, a Local Area Coordinator office, or another comfortable location
- Via video call if that’s more convenient for you
- Split across multiple sessions — you don’t have to do all 3 hours in one go
Step 3: Bring Your Support Person
You’re welcome to have anyone with you:
- A family member or friend
- Your support coordinator
- An advocate
- A support worker who knows you well
Step 4: The Guided Conversation
The trained assessor will talk with you about your daily life across the 12 domains. For each domain, they’ll ask:
- What can you do? — with and without support
- How often do you need help? — scored from 0 (never) to 5 (continuously)
- What level of support do you need? — scored from 0 (independent) to 5 (pervasive support)
The assessor writes an “I can” sentence for each area — explaining what you can do and what support you need. This strengths-based approach is a core feature of the I-CAN methodology.
Step 5: Complete the Personal and Environmental Circumstances Questionnaire
Alongside the I-CAN assessment, you’ll also complete a personal and environmental circumstances questionnaire. This gathers information that affects your support needs but isn’t directly measured by I-CAN — things like housing situation, informal supports, cultural background, and geographic factors.
Step 6: Your Report Goes to the NDIA
After the assessment, your I-CAN data and questionnaire responses are used to calculate your NDIS budget. NDIS plans will still be approved by trained NDIS staff — not automated systems. This is an important clarification the NDIA has emphasised following community concerns about “computer-generated plans.”
What’s Different From the Old System?
| Feature | Old System | New Framework Planning |
|---|---|---|
| How needs are assessed | Allied health reports (OT, psychologist, etc.) | I-CAN v6 guided conversation with trained assessor |
| Cost to participant | Reports can cost hundreds of dollars (often from plan funding) | Assessment is free — funded by NDIA |
| Plan structure | Budget tied to individual supports | More flexible budget — easier to adapt |
| Plan duration | Usually 12 months | Longer periods — more certainty, fewer reviews |
| Focus | Functional impairment | Disability support needs and strengths |
| Consistency | Highly variable between planners | More consistent, clearer rules |
When Does the New Tool Start?
| Date | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Now – mid 2026 | No changes. Current NDIS plans continue as normal. NDIA is running public consultation and testing. |
| Mid 2026 | Rollout begins with a small number of participants aged 18+. |
| 2026–2028+ | Phased expansion over several years. Many participants won’t see changes for some time. |
| TBD | Children under 18 won’t be part of initial rollout — timeline for this group not yet announced. |
Key point: You don’t need to do anything right now. Your current plan stays in place until you move to the new way of planning, and you’ll receive information before anything changes for you.
What the New Tool Means for Your Budget
This is the question on most participants’ minds: Will my budget change?
Here’s what we know:
- Budgets will be more flexible. Instead of locked-down individual support lines, you’ll have flexible funding that’s easier to adapt to changing needs
- Decisions will be more consistent. The same assessment methodology for everyone should reduce the “lottery” effect where similar participants get very different funding
- Plans will cover longer periods. Fewer review cycles = more certainty for you
- Complex cases may still need reports. Participants with very complex needs may still be asked to provide reports from health professionals in addition to the I-CAN
- Human approval remains. NDIS staff — not computers — will approve plans based on the assessment data
There’s been significant advocacy community concern about budgets potentially being reduced. The NDIA has stated the goal is fairer budgets, but until the system is live, we won’t know exactly how it affects individual participants. Read more about NDIS planning changes 2026.
How to Prepare for the New NDIS Plan Assessment Tool
Even though the tool isn’t live yet, you can prepare now:
1. Document Everything
Start a simple journal or notes document. Record:
- Daily support needs you have across the 12 domains
- Times when you need extra help (bad days, flare-ups, crises)
- Tasks you can’t do, struggle with, or need support to complete
- How long tasks take you compared to others
2. Think About Your Goals
The new framework focuses on support needs, but your plan still needs to support your goals. Start thinking about:
- What you want to achieve in the next 1-3 years
- Skills you want to build
- Independence you want to develop
- Community, work, or study involvement you want to pursue
3. Maintain Your Health Professional Reports
Even though allied health reports won’t be the main evidence source, some participants with complex needs will still be asked for them. Keep your OT, psychologist, or specialist reports up to date. Read about NDIS health supports.
4. Identify Your Support Person
Who will you bring to your assessment? A family member who knows your daily challenges? Your support coordinator? A long-term support worker? The assessment is 3 hours of discussing your life — having someone who knows you well is invaluable.
5. Understand Your Rights
You’ll continue to have the right to:
- Request a plan reassessment if your circumstances change
- Request an internal review if you disagree with a decision (within 3 months)
- Apply for external review through the Administrative Review Tribunal
- Bring a support person to every assessment and meeting
Concerns From the Disability Community
Let’s be honest — not everyone is convinced the new NDIS plan assessment tool will deliver what’s promised. Key concerns raised by participants and advocacy groups include:
- Computer-based risk — worry that budgets will be algorithm-driven despite the NDIA’s assurances that humans approve plans
- 3-hour cap concerns — people with complex communication needs may need longer than 3 hours
- Lost nuance — worry that a standard assessment won’t capture the unique aspects of individual situations
- Budget reductions — fear that “fairer” could mean smaller for many current participants
- Assessor quality — success depends entirely on how well-trained assessors are
- Cultural sensitivity — concerns about the tool’s fit for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participants, CALD communities, and those with lived experience trauma
Public consultation on the new framework planning rules was open until 6 March 2026. The NDIA is also running workshops through its New Framework Planning Pool to test and refine the process.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the NDIS plan assessment tool?
It’s called I-CAN v6 (Instrument for Classification and Assessment of Support Needs, version 6). It’s a guided conversation between you and a trained assessor covering 12 life areas, used to calculate your NDIS budget under the new framework planning approach starting mid-2026.
Is the assessment free?
Yes. Unlike the old system where you’d pay for allied health reports (often from your NDIS plan), the new assessment is free to participants — funded by the NDIA.
Do I need to do anything right now?
No. Current NDIS plans stay in place. You’ll receive information from the NDIA well before any changes apply to you. The rollout is phased over several years.
Will a computer decide my budget?
No. The NDIA has stated clearly that trained NDIS staff — not automated systems — will approve plans. The I-CAN data and environmental questionnaire help staff make more consistent decisions, but a human still makes the final call.
How long does the assessment take?
About 3 hours total. It can be split across multiple meetings if that works better for you. You can choose where to meet — at home, at an NDIA office, or by video call.
Can I bring someone with me?
Absolutely. You can bring a family member, friend, advocate, support coordinator, or trusted support worker. Having someone who knows your daily challenges helps the assessor get a complete picture.
What if my circumstances change after the assessment?
You’ll continue to have the right to request a plan reassessment at any time. You can also request an internal review if you disagree with a decision, and appeal to the Administrative Review Tribunal if needed.
Will children be part of the new framework planning?
Not initially. Children under 18 are not part of the first rollout. The timeline for including children hasn’t been announced yet. Read about the separate changes for children under 8.
How Centre of Hope Can Help
The new NDIS plan assessment tool is a big change — but you don’t have to face it alone. At Centre of Hope, we help participants across Western Sydney and NSW prepare for plan assessments, attend as their support person, and advocate for the funding they need.
We can help you:
- Document your support needs across all 12 domains before the assessment
- Prepare your goals so they’re clear and specific
- Attend the assessment with you as your support coordinator
- Review your plan once it’s approved to ensure it matches your needs
- Request a review if you disagree with the outcome
Whether you’re preparing for your first NDIS plan or transitioning to the new framework planning, we’re here to walk beside you.
Your goals. Your plan. Our support.
📞 Call us: 0432 250 900
🌐 Visit: centreofhope.com.au
📝 Refer: Submit a referral
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, medical, or financial advice. Information is current as of April 2026. The NDIS plan assessment tool and new framework planning are still being finalised. Always refer to the official NDIS website for the most up-to-date information.
