The NDIS bill is in the Senate. Here is where things stand right now.

The National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026 is now before the Senate, and events are moving quickly. Here is a plain-English summary of where things stand as of 16 August 2026, with links to every source so you can read the originals.

The bill has passed the House and entered the Senate

According to the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, the bill was introduced to Parliament on 14 May 2026, passed the House of Representatives, and was introduced to the Senate on 12 August 2026. Thirty amendments were agreed in the House on 1 July — including narrowing the Minister's power to reduce funding, protecting employment-related supports, and requiring that any automated decision must be reviewable by a human.

The Senate inquiry recommended the bill be passed

A Labor-led Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee ran an inquiry into the bill for more than nine weeks, including six days of hearings and over 4,500 submissions. As reported by Green Left, the vast majority of those submissions opposed the bill. On 14 August, the committee released its report with one recommendation: that the bill be passed. Disability advocacy groups condemned the recommendation.

A Labor-Coalition deal is expected

SBS News reports that NDIS Minister Jenny McAllister said a deal between the government and the Coalition to pass the reforms is close. The government has admitted the reforms will impact families but downplayed concerns that state-based disability supports will not be ready to replace what participants lose from the NDIS. As Australian Community Media mastheads report, crossbench senators remain unconvinced, describing the reforms as going "too far, too fast."

The Greens are opposing the bill

The Greens issued a dissenting report and have pledged to vote against the bill. As reported by Honi Soit, Greens Senator Jordon Steele-John wrote that if the bill passes parliament "it will be devastating to the lives of disabled people and their families." The Greens have called on the crossbench and the opposition to oppose the bill.

What this means if you are a participant or family

The bill has not yet passed into law. As Dedicated Plan Management notes, nothing changes for your current plan until your next scheduled plan review. Changes to eligibility criteria are not expected to affect most existing participants until 2027 or 2028. If you have a reassessment coming up, getting independent advice beforehand is strongly recommended. Our guide on preparing for a plan reassessment sets out practical steps.

What this means if you are a provider or support worker

As Centre of Hope explains, the bill expands the NDIA's powers to investigate fraud and non-compliance. Providers should expect closer audit attention, stronger documentation requirements, and higher penalties for over-claiming. Mandatory registration is already expanding for SIL providers. Having your compliance register up to date and your documentation in order is not optional — it is basic risk management in this environment.

This article is general information dated 16 August 2026. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by the NDIA. For official information visit ndis.gov.au.