NDIS 2026–27 Pricing Review: What Providers Need to Know

The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) has released its 2026–27 Annual Pricing Review (APR), outlining pricing updates from 1 July 2026 and signalling a number of broader reforms expected to shape the NDIS over the coming years.

Some providers will notice immediate pricing changes, while others won't be affected straight away. What stands out most, however, is the direction the NDIA is taking. The focus is shifting towards a pricing framework that more closely reflects workforce costs, market conditions and the way supports are delivered.

Here's a look at the updates most relevant to providers.

Support worker prices are increasing – but there's a bigger review on the way

Providers delivering Disability Support Worker (DSW) supports will see prices adjusted in line with the Fair Work Commission's latest wage increase.

If you provide support work services, now is a good time to review the updated NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits, update your billing and payroll systems where required, and speak with participants before making any changes to existing service agreements.

This year's increase isn't the only change worth noting.

The NDIA has also announced a comprehensive review of the Disability Support Worker Cost Model during the 2026–27 financial year. The current model is still based on market conditions from 2020–21, and the review will examine whether it continues to reflect today's workforce and operating environment.

We'll be keeping a close eye on this review and sharing updates as more information becomes available.

Allied health pricing has been realigned

Several allied health professions will see changes to their maximum hourly prices.

Rather than simply applying annual indexation, the NDIA has benchmarked these prices against Medicare, private health insurance and other government-funded health schemes to better align NDIS pricing with the broader healthcare market.

This includes pricing changes for:

• Psychologists
• Dietitians 
• Exercise Physiologists

Some professions will see increases while others will see reductions, so it's worth reviewing the updated pricing schedule to understand how the changes affect your services.

Support Coordination remains unchanged

For Support Coordinators, this year's review means stability.

The NDIA has determined that the current pricing structure remains appropriate, so there are no significant pricing changes for Support Connection, Coordination of Supports or Specialist Support Coordination.

Plan Management is next in line for review

Plan Managers will see the monthly management fee updated to $104.45.

While that's the only immediate pricing change, the NDIA has also flagged a broader review of the Plan Management pricing model. The aim is to better reflect the administrative and transactional nature of the service.

It's not expected to affect providers immediately, but it's another area to watch over the coming year.

A new approach to Short Term Respite?

One of the more interesting proposals relates to Short Term Respite (STR), previously known as STA.

Currently, STA is generally claimed using a bundled daily rate combining non-disability living costs such as food and utilities. The NDIA has proposed replacing this with separate line items for accommodation costs, support worker hours and high intensity support loadings where applicable.

The idea is to create greater transparency around what is actually being delivered and claimed.

At this stage, these are proposed changes only, with further detail expected as the reform progresses.

Social & Community Participation is where the biggest change sits

The most significant announcement in this year's review relates to Social & Community Participation supports.

From 1 January 2027, the NDIA is proposing a 10% reduction in pricing for unregistered providers, while prices for registered providers will remain unchanged.

According to the NDIA, this reflects the different governance, compliance and regulatory obligations associated with registered providers.

Whether or not providers agree with the approach, it's a clear signal that registration is becoming a more important part of the pricing conversation.

For some providers, this may prompt a closer look at registration. Others may decide their current model continues to work well for their business and the participants they support.

The long-term impact remains to be seen, but it's likely to be one of the biggest topics of conversation across the sector over the coming months.

We'd like to hear from providers

At MySolas, we know these changes will affect providers in different ways depending on the supports they deliver.

We're particularly interested in hearing from providers about the proposed changes to Social & Community Participation supports.

Do you think these changes will influence more providers to become registered? What impact do you think they'll have on participants, provider choice and the broader market?

Over the coming weeks, we'll be speaking with providers from across Australia to better understand how these reforms are being received and share a range of perspectives from the sector.

If you'd like to be part of that conversation, we'd love to hear from you.

Looking ahead

This year's Annual Pricing Review is about more than price updates. It also gives providers a clearer picture of where NDIS pricing is heading.

With further reviews already planned for disability support worker pricing, Plan Management and other areas of the scheme, there's likely to be more change ahead.

As those reforms develop, MySolas will continue sharing practical updates to help providers understand what's changing and what it means for their organisation.