NDIS updates
NDIS Reasonable and Necessary Rules: What the Changes Mean for Children
For families of children with disability, the announced reasonable and necessary changes put particular focus on parental responsibility and age-expected support.
Key points
- For families of children with disability, the announced reasonable and necessary changes put particular focus on parental responsibility and age-expected support.
What is changing?
From February 2027, updated criteria are scheduled to guide decisions about reasonable and necessary supports. The approach includes clearer consideration of what parents would ordinarily provide, such as supervision, personal care, transport, emotional support and behavioural support.
Ordinary parental responsibility does not include the additional assistance a child needs because of disability compared with another child of a similar age without disability.
Why does age matter?
Two three-year-old children both need supervision and help with some personal care. Saying only that a three-year-old needs supervision does not establish a disability-related need. The assessment must explain the additional supervision, regulation support, personal care or safety intervention required beyond age expectations.
Our approach
Our paediatric assessments distinguish age-expected support from additional disability-related support. Where appropriate, we compare functional performance with developmental expectations for children of a similar age so recommendations address the impact of disability, not ordinary childhood dependence.
References and further reading
- NDIS Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Act 2026
- Australian Government — Securing the NDIS for Future Generations timeline
Information checked against the official sources above on 12 September 2026.
This article provides general information only. NDIS rules and individual circumstances can change; check current official guidance or seek advice about your situation.
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