The New 90-Day NDIS Claims Rule: What Participants Need to Know
At the moment, claims for NDIS supports can generally be made up to two years after the support is delivered. Under the new NDIS legislation, that window is reduced to 90 days from the date of service delivery.
Think of it as a much shorter “use by” date for invoices. The NDIA says timely claiming helps protect participants’ funds, gets providers paid faster and lets self-managed participants be reimbursed sooner. Accurate service dates and good records make that much easier.
Key Dates and Changes Participants Should Know
Two separate changes are happening, and they are easy to mix up:
- 15 October 2026: the NDIA began extra integrity checks on claims submitted more than 90 days after a support was delivered. These claims may be held for up to 28 days, and more information or evidence may be requested before payment. Claims within 90 days follow the usual process.
- 1 December 2026: the time to make a claim is scheduled to be reduced from two years to 90 days.
In short, October adds a checking step for older claims, while December introduces the new deadline itself. Official pages don’t yet detail how supports delivered before 1 December will be treated.
What Could This Mean for NDIS Participants?
Late invoices, missing paperwork and unclear service dates matter more when the window is 90 days. An invoice that arrives months after a service, or sits unread in an inbox, could push a claim past the timeframe.
How your plan is managed shapes your role, according to the NDIS guide to getting paid:
- Self-managed: you or your nominee pay providers, keep records and claim.
- Plan-managed: providers send invoices to your plan manager, who enters the claim and keeps the records.
- NDIA-managed: providers submit claims through the NDIA’s provider portal.
Simple Ways to Stay on Top of NDIS Claims
- Follow up outstanding invoices early rather than waiting for them to arrive.
- Check service dates, support items and amounts against your service agreement.
- Keep invoices, receipts, dates and notes together, in paper or digital form.
- Check your remaining funding regularly in the participant portal.
- Ask your provider or plan manager whenever something looks unclear.
The Role of Plan Managers in Managing Claims
Good NDIS Plan Management Services can take a lot of the paperwork off your plate. A plan manager can process invoices, track your budget, maintain records and follow up payment questions with providers.
No one can promise to prevent every delay or recover a missed claim. Still, having someone who handles invoices every week can help problems surface earlier.
If you’re looking for NDIS Plan Management Northern Territory support, the same national rules apply there as everywhere else in Australia. A local plan manager can help with invoice processing and budget management, but the 90-day timeframe is the same.
Stay informed, keep your paperwork organised and check official NDIS guidance for updates as the changes roll out.
FAQs
What happens if an NDIS claim is submitted after 90 days?
Since 15 October 2026, claims lodged more than 90 days after a support is delivered may be held for up to 28 days for extra checks, and the NDIA may ask for evidence. From 1 December 2026, 90 days becomes the claiming deadline itself. Official pages don’t yet detail outcomes after that date, so confirm with the NDIS.
Does the new 90-day rule apply to self-managed NDIS participants?
Yes. Participants or their plan managers must claim within 90 days of service delivery. Self-managed claims submitted later may be held for review for up to 28 days.
Can a plan manager help with an overdue invoice?
They can process the invoice once received and follow up with the provider. They can’t guarantee a late claim will be paid, as that depends on the support date and the rules at the time.
What should I do if my provider sends an invoice late?
Check the service dates and amounts, then pass it to your plan manager or lodge it straight away. The 90 days run from when the support was delivered, not the invoice date.
What records should I keep for NDIS claims?
Keep the provider’s name and ABN, support dates, category, description, quantity, price, total paid, and a receipt or tax invoice. The NDIS page says 5 years, while the Department of Health lists 3 years, so keeping them for the longer period is safer.
Does the 90-day rule apply in the Northern Territory?
Yes. It’s a national rule, so the same timeframe applies in every state and territory.
