The I-CAN Assessment: What Is It and Should You Worry?

I-CAN has become one of the most searched NDIS topics, and also one of the most misunderstood. Here are the facts without the fear.

What I-CAN is

I-CAN stands for the Instrument for Classification and Assessment of Support Needs. The NDIA has licensed version 6 of the tool. It was developed in Australia and looks at the support a person actually needs in daily life, rather than only measuring what a person cannot do. Assessments are designed to be done with you, not to you.

When it starts

I-CAN sits inside new framework planning, which begins from 1 April 2027. The start date was delayed from mid 2026 to allow more testing and consultation. Until your plan moves to the new framework, current rules apply.

How it differs from now

Today, many participants pay for multiple expensive reports to prove their needs. The new process aims to reduce that reliance by using a consistent assessment for everyone. Therapy reports and medical evidence will still be useful where they explain your daily support needs, risks and goals.

How to prepare without overspending

• Keep current, clear information about the support you need day to day
• Do not rush out and buy new reports hoping for a better outcome, the NDIA has said that is not the point
• Note real examples: what happens on a day with support, and a day without

Want help putting your daily support needs into clear words before your next review? Contact us.

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.