NDIS funding periods and plan changes explained
How NDIS funding periods work, what happens to money you don't spend, and how to ask for a plan change when your circumstances change.
Step 1
Read your funding periods
Your plan splits funding into periods — usually three months — and each has its own start, end, and amount.
Step 2
Spend within the period
Unspent funds roll over into the next period. Overspending is what trips people up, not underspending.
Step 3
Know the two change routes
A small variation tweaks the current plan; a reassessment replaces it. Both need evidence.
Step 4
Tell the NDIA something changed
New diagnosis, housing, study, or support needs — the process starts the moment you speak up.
Step 5
Read the decision
Variations are usually decided within 21 days of the NDIA having what it needs. Then read the result line by line.
What a funding period is, in plain words
Think of your plan's funding like a year of groceries. Instead of getting it all at once, you get it in regular shops, often one every three months. A funding period is one of those shops: a slice of your funding with a start date, an end date and an amount you can spend in that time.
Most funding periods are three months. Some are shorter, such as monthly, and some are longer, like six or twelve months, depending on the support and your needs. Your plan states each component's periods, and your plan manager or the portal will show how much is available right now.
| Funding component | Typical period | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Core supports | 3 months | Spread everyday support across the plan so it lasts |
| Support coordination | Often shorter, e.g. monthly | Keeps help available while you set the plan up |
| Capacity building | 3 months | Spreads therapy and skill-building across the plan |
| Capital (e.g. equipment) | Full plan | One-off purchases don't need to be split |
What happens to money you don't spend
Unspent funding does not disappear at the end of a period. It rolls over into your next period, and that keeps happening for the life of the plan. Periods exist to pace your spending, not to void it.
The real trap is the other direction: spending more than a period allows. If you use up a period's slice early, that support stops being claimable until the next period starts. That's why budgeting against periods matters more than budgeting against the plan's total.
Your plan manager can show you period balances at a glance; if you self-manage, the portal shows the same numbers.
Plan variations vs reassessments
The two official ways a plan can change
Plan variation (small change)
Adjusts something in your current plan — an amount, a support, a budget line — without rewriting it. Good for mid-course corrections while the plan still fits.
Plan reassessment (big change)
Your plan is reviewed and replaced, usually with a new plan and a plan meeting. This is the route when your circumstances changed significantly.
Both start the same way
Tell your my NDIS contact or support coordinator what changed and what supports you need. Evidence is what earns the change.
Both follow the NDIA's change in circumstances rules and need you to explain what's different. Once the NDIA has the information it needs, it aims to decide on a variation within 21 days. If you ask for a reassessment, the NDIA can take up to 90 days to decide whether to do one (this changed from 21 days on 27 August 2026). Your current plan keeps working while you wait.
If you disagree with the decision, you can ask for it to be reviewed. Keep a copy of what you asked for and the decision you got.
Plan continuations: what they mean
If your reassessment date arrives and the NDIA hasn't finished your new plan, your plan doesn't just stop. It keeps going with the same supports until a new plan starts, and the NDIA will let you know by letter or in the portal. You don't need to do anything to keep it running.
A continued plan keeps your supports going, but it won't reflect any changes in your life. If your needs have changed and you're waiting on a reassessment, keep following up with your my NDIS contact.
Talking to the NDIA about a change
Tick items as you work through them — your progress is saved on this device. Download or print when you're ready.
When your circumstances change, gather
You don't need a pile of paperwork for every change. But the bigger the change, the more evidence you'll need. The plan review guide shows how to pull it together quickly.
Frequently asked questions
What is a funding period, exactly?
It's the window during which part of your funding becomes available. Most plans split funding into three-month periods so you manage a slice of the budget at a time instead of the whole amount at once. Periods can be shorter or longer depending on your supports and your situation.
Do I lose funding I don't spend in a period?
No. Unspent funds roll over into your next funding period within the same plan. Funding periods change when money is available — they don't shrink your total amount.
What's the difference between a plan variation and a reassessment?
A variation is a small change to your current plan, like adjusting a budget amount. A reassessment replaces the plan with a new one. The NDIA aims to decide on a variation within 21 days of having the information it needs. For a reassessment request, it can take up to 90 days to decide whether to go ahead.
Can I ask for a change before my reassessment date?
Yes. You don't need to wait for the scheduled date. If your circumstances change — a new diagnosis, a move, different support needs — tell your my NDIS contact or support coordinator and the change process can start immediately.
What is a plan continuation?
If the NDIA hasn't finished a reassessment by your plan's reassessment date, your current plan keeps going with the same supports until a new one starts. It's a safety net so you're never left without a plan.
Official sources
This guide is checked against these official pages.
- What is NDIS fundingHow funding amounts, components, and funding periods work.
- Changes to NDIS funding periodsThe move to shorter funding periods and why they exist.
- Change in circumstancesThe two official ways to change a plan: variation and reassessment.
- What is a plan reassessmentWhen and why the NDIA reassesses a plan.
- Guide to changing your planPlan variations, reassessments, and continuations in one guide.
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