General questions and answers about the changes
On this page
What is changing?
From next year, there will be changes to DSS funded supports.
These changes will make flexible funding easier to use. They follow on from very clear feedback external received from the disability community earlier in the year.
These changes will apply if you receive your supports through a Needs Assessment Service Coordination external (NASC) provider.
The changes start from 1 February 2026 for people new to DSS. If you already get DSS funded supports, the changes start on 1 April 2026.
Current arrangements remain in place until then.
The main changes are:
- You will get more choice and control in your use of flexible funding.
- The purchasing guidelines will be removed.
- People who get flexible funding will be provided with a budget for them to manage within.
- You will get guidance to help manage your budget. This will make flexible funding easier to use.
- All NASCs around the country will do their assessments the same way. This is so their decisions on support are fairer and more consistent.
- Families and carers will be included in assessments.
These changes will make the process more transparent so you know what to expect and can be prepared.
Why are changes happening?
These changes will provide more consistency to the assessment and allocation processes, and more choice and control on how you use flexible funding received through a NASC.
The changes are informed by what the disability community told us they wanted in our community consultation external in February-March 2025.
Who are these changes for?
The changes will be for people whose disability supports are co-ordinated by a NASC external. That's more than 90 percent of people who get disability supports from DSS.
At this stage, no changes are confirmed for Enabling Good Lives (EGL) sites. We are working with EGL Regional Leadership Groups to explore improvements for the different regions that EGL sites serve.