We are making improvements to Disability Support Services (DSS) funded supports.
The improvements are informed by what the disability community told us in 2025, and by the Independent Review in 2024. These changes will all be in effect by April 2026.
They are about:
- making the system fairer and more consistent
- giving disabled people more choice and control over their flexible funding.
The improvements will stabilise the disability support system and ensure it is sustainable.
They create a stable foundation to strengthen the disability support system over the longer term.
Learn more about what the disability community told us
More choice and control over flexible funding - April 2026
From April, people who get flexible funding gain more choice and control over how they spend their funding.
From 1 April:
- People’s allocated budgets for flexible funding will continue the same as they are now.
- The purchasing rules for flexible funding will be removed. (Note that the purchasing rules will remain for Choice in Community Living arrangements).
- There will be more guidance to help people manage their flexible funding.
Learn more about the changes to flexible funding
Making the system fairer – February 2026
In February and March 2026, we began to improve the way disabled people’s needs are assessed and supports are allocated. This may also include carers’ needs and supports.
People will experience these changes when they apply for the first time, or when they have their next reassessment.
The changes make things fairer and more consistent across the country, no matter where you live.
Learn more about the changes to assessments and allocations.