NDIS & Aged Care: What's Changing in 2026

A year of regulatory transformation

2026 is shaping up to be the most consequential year for Australian care regulation in decades. Both the aged care and NDIS systems are undergoing simultaneous reforms that affect providers, workers, and participants.

July 2026: Government price caps arrive

From 1 July 2026, the government will set price caps on most Support at Home services. This replaces the current market-set pricing model and will significantly impact provider revenue models.

What this means for families: Potentially lower out-of-pocket costs and more predictable pricing across providers.

What this means for providers: You need to model the revenue impact now. Providers who haven't adjusted their service mix ahead of the caps risk significant revenue shortfalls.

NDIS penalty escalation

The NDIS Amendment (Integrity and Safeguarding) Bill 2025 dramatically increased penalties for non-compliance:

• Maximum fines for Code of Conduct breaches leading to death or serious injury increased from $400,000 to $16.5 million
• Banning orders now carry criminal penalties of up to 5 years jail
• New registration requirements are being phased in throughout 2026

The convergence of aged care and NDIS

Crucially, 94% of NDIS providers currently operate in only one scheme. As regulations tighten in both systems, providers expanding across aged care and NDIS need technology that bridges both regulatory environments.

What you should do

1. Providers: Model the July 2026 price cap impact on your current revenue
2. Workers: Ensure all credentials are current — the penalty regime makes compliance gaps existential
3. Families: Use the new transparency requirements to hold providers accountable

Check your funding eligibility or find compliant providers in your area.