Foundational Supports Explained: Help Outside the NDIS

Not everyone with disability is an NDIS participant. In fact, most Australians with disability are not. Foundational supports are designed to fill that gap.

Where the idea came from

The 2023 NDIS Review found the scheme had become an oasis in a desert: strong support inside, very little outside. It recommended a new layer of foundational supports, funded by federal and state governments together, for people with disability who do not have NDIS plans.

What they may include

Think information and advice, peer support, help to navigate services, early help for children through programs like Thriving Kids, and lower intensity supports delivered through community organisations. The exact service mix is still being designed, and rollout will look slightly different in each state, including here in Victoria.

Why it matters

From 2028, NDIS eligibility moves toward functional assessment, and some people may access foundational supports instead of individual plans. Governments have committed funding through recent budgets, but advocacy groups are watching closely to make sure foundational supports are ready before any NDIS changes bite.

The honest summary

Foundational supports are real, funded and coming, but the detail is still landing. Anyone who claims to know exactly how they will work is guessing. We will keep this article updated as facts firm up.

We support people both inside and outside the NDIS. Ask us what help is possible for your situation.

Last updated: June 2026. This article is general information only, current at the date of publishing. Always check the official NDIS and NDIS Commission websites for your own situation.