New NDIS Funding Periods
Important Update: New NDIS Funding Periods – What You Need to Know
From Monday, 19 May 2025, the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) introduced funding periods – a new way of releasing funds in staged instalments for participants with new or reassessed plans.
Instead of receiving the full amount upfront, funds are now allocated in smaller chunks over the life of the plan. While this can support more structured budgeting, it does mean that planning ahead is more important than ever.
At Queensland Premium Allied Health (QPAH), we know NDIS plans can be complex. Here’s what’s changing – and how you can plan for success.
New NDIS Funding Periods FAQ’s
🗓️ What Are Funding Periods?
Funding periods divide your plan budget into smaller portions, which are typically released quarterly (every 3 months). Some categories may be released monthly, and in some cases, supports are still released in full.
Good news: If you don’t use all your funds in one period, the remaining amount rolls into the next period within the same plan.
📅 When Do They Start?
Funding periods begin on the start date of your new or re-assessed plan, and not at the beginning of the month. For example, if your plan starts on 21 May, that’s when your first funding period starts – not 1 June.
💰 What Happens to Leftover Funds?
- Within your plan: Unused funds roll over into the next funding period.
- Between plans: Any remaining funds do not roll over into a new plan. Use it or lose it.
👀 Who Can See My Funding Periods?
You can view your funding periods in the NDIS participant portal. If you’re plan-managed or have a Support Coordinator, they’ll also have access. Your providers (like QPAH) do not automatically have access.
📤 How Do Claims Work?
Claims must match your current funding period. While there was early confusion, the NDIA has confirmed that invoices can span multiple funding periods, which is a helpful clarification!
❌ What If I Run Out of Funds?
If a claim goes over your available funding for that period, including any rolled-over funds, then it will be rejected.
Please note: If your NDIS funding doesn’t cover the full cost of therapy, you will be responsible for paying the fees out of pocket.
⏳ Could This Affect My Ongoing Services?
Yes. If you run out of funding in a current period and can’t pay privately, then we may not be able to hold your spot until the next period begins.
Therefore, careful planning is essential – especially for high-frequency services.
🔁 Can I Move Funds Between Periods?
No. Funds cannot be transferred between funding periods. However, you can:
- Request a plan variation to change funding timing
- Request a plan re-assessment for additional support.
🔓 Is My Plan Still Flexible?
- Core Supports: Still flexible (depending on how they’re managed)
- Capacity Building Supports: Generally flexible (unless otherwise stated).
🧒 What About Early Childhood Participants?
These changes apply to all participants, including those under the Early Childhood Approach.
📌 What You Should Do
✅ Fill Out Our New Intake Form when you receive your next plan.
We’re updating our intake process to reflect these changes. Therefore, you’ll now be asked to:
- Tell us your funding period dates
- Complete a checklist of other services you are accessing within the same funding category (e.g. if you are also seeing a psychologist or another therapist under the same budget).
This helps us work with you to prevent overspending and ensure the best use of your funds.
🧾 Review Your Service Agreements
Make sure your service agreements reflect your funding periods. Whether you’re self-managed or plan-managed, mismatches could lead to unexpected out-of-pocket costs.
🗣️ Speak Up at Your Planning Meeting
Let your planner know if you’ll need more funding early in the plan (for example, if you’re starting intensive therapy). Bring supporting documentation.
🆘 Ask for Help Early
Don’t wait if your needs change! Contact the NDIA or your Support Coordinator or get in touch with us for support. Early action can help you avoid service disruptions.
💡 Need Help Understanding Your Plan?
NDIS plans can be confusing – even without these changes! We can help with:
- Reviewing your plan
- Understanding your budget
- Setting up tracking to stay within your funding period.
Simply send us a copy of your plan. Our system can help monitor your spending, so you don’t accidentally go over your budget and get stuck with fees the NDIS won’t cover!
🤝 The Power of Planning Ahead – Together
One of the best ways to make the most of your NDIS plan under the new funding periods is to plan ahead with your therapist. At QPAH, we’re here to support you to use your funding effectively and set clear goals, in order to make the most of every session.
Benefits of Planning Ahead with Your Therapist:
✅ Avoid Funding Shortfalls: We can help map out how often you’ll attend therapy, the cost of each session and how that fits into your funding period. This can help avoid the stress of running out of funds partway through a funding period.
✅ Prioritise What Matters Most: By setting therapy goals together, we can prioritise sessions that will have the greatest impact — making sure your supports are targeted and meaningful.
✅ Coordinate with Other Services: Many families access multiple supports under the same NDIS budget category. We’ll help ensure that therapy is planned in conjunction with your other providers so there are no surprises.
✅ Built in Flexibility: Life happens — kids get sick, goals change, and school holidays arrive. Planning ahead gives us room to adjust to these changes, while still working within your budget and funding periods.
✅ Support Your Planning Meeting: We can provide documentation or progress updates to help you advocate for appropriate funding during your next planning meeting.
Planning with your therapist is a proactive step that helps protect your funding, avoid service interruptions and ensure you’re getting real value from your plan. If you’d like to sit down with your therapist to map out your sessions or explore different options, just let us know — we’re here to help.
📞 Contact Us
Our team is happy to answer any questions or suggest therapy options to suit every budget.
📧 info@qpah.com.au
📞 07 5647 6120
🌐 www.qpah.com.au