New Update: NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits - October 2025

The NDIS has released NDIS Pricing Arrangements And Price Limits version 1.1 on October 14th, 2025.

The latest guide (version 1.1) comes into effect from 24 November 2025 and this resource breaks down the key updates that are important for you to know.

Key Changes

Price limit reduction for Art and Music therapies:

If you access Art or Music Therapy, there’s been a price drop.
The hourly rate has changed from $193.99 down to $156.16.

What this means for you:

• Plan Managed or Agency Managed: Your provider must adjust their rates to the new limit. Your NDIS Provider can’t charge above the NDIS price cap.
• Self-Managed: You can still choose to pay more than the price guide rate, but your funding won’t stretch as far.

The NDIA reviews these prices regularly so its important to ensure you are aware of the latest price per the price guide.

No more COVID Add-ons

All COVID-related extras like PPE reimbursements, cleaning claims, or temporary supports are now completely removed from the price guide.
Everything goes back to standard NDIS pricing and claiming.

Changes to Low Cost Assistive Technology

The item “Low Cost AT – Capacity Building” has been removed from the Improved Daily Living budget.

You can still buy low cost assistive technology, which must be under $1,500. Things like small devices or daily living tools,  will now usually come from your Core Supports – Consumables budget.

Regional & Remote Area Updates

The Modified Monash Model (MMM) — the tool that defines remote and very remote areas, has been updated.
A few places are no longer considered remote:

• Green Head and Leeman (WA)
• Blythdale, Euthulla, Orange Hill, and Horrocks (QLD)

Tip: If you’re in one of these towns, your provider will now charge the standard rate (lower) instead of a remote one.

Greater Clarity in Updates

Some parts of the guide have been changed, in so far as:

• Clearer information explaining that plan-managed participants hire their own providers (your Plan Manager just handles the payments).
• Updated wording for Community and social activities to align with official NDIS lists.
• Consistent references and links to “Supports that are NDIS supports"

When Do These Changes Start?

These abovementioned changes take effect from 24 November 2025.

Other pricing changes included in the new price guide took effect on 1 July 2025. These include Adjustments of line-item descriptions to align with the NDIS support list exclusions.

For example where supports are designed to help you take part in community, social, and recreational activities, only the disability-related costs can be claimed.

Below is a summary of the three affected support items and what’s not covered under each of them.

1. Community, Social and Recreational Activities (04_210_0125_6_1)

This support helps you engage in community, social, or recreational activities by funding the extra disability-related supports people need to take part independently.

2. Innovative Community Participation (09_008_0116_6_3)

This support is for participants with extraordinary or complex needs. It funds tailored, innovative activities that build skills and confidence to take part in the community.

3. Community Participation Activities (09_011_0125_6_3)

This support helps cover disability-related costs for community activities that build skills and independence, for example, camps, classes, or mentoring programs with a capacity-building focus.

NDIS Exclusions – What’s Not Covered 

The following costs cannot be claimed under the NDIS (effective 1 July 2025):

• Fees or payments for outside school hours care, including before/after school, student-free days, vacation care, and holiday programs.
• Costs associated with recreational sports and activities, such as membership fees, venue hire, uniforms, or footwear.
• Standard recreational equipment or tools (non-modified), including toys, balls, or racquets.
• General health, fitness, social, or recreational activity costs or services (e.g. standard gym memberships or classes).
• Membership and entry fees to recreational clubs or use of standard gym equipment.

Quick Summary

Here’s the short version:

• Art & Music Therapy rates are now $156.16/hour
• COVID add-ons are gone
• One Low-Cost AT item has been removed
• Some towns are no longer remote
• Line-item descriptions change for Community, Social, and Recreational Activities, Innovative Community Participation, Community Participation Activities

If your services are delivered on or after 24 November 2025, your provider should automatically update their pricing to reflect these changes.

Source: NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits 2025-26 v1.1