As NDIS participants and carers navigate the evolving landscape of disability supports, staying informed about pricing changes is crucial for making empowered choices. At Easy Community Services, founded by Andrea and Jessica Curtis in April 2023, we specialize in trauma-informed, personalized services that foster independence and community belonging. Our core focus on Supported Independent Living (SIL), respite care, and assistance with daily living ensures participants thrive beyond mere compliance—we build genuine connections and holistic well-being.
The NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits for 2025-26, effective from 1 July 2025 with updates on 24 November 2025, introduce targeted adjustments to enhance value for money. While there’s no stated overall indexation rate, key shifts include a reduction in art and music therapy rates, an updated Modified Monash Model (MMM) for remote classifications, and refined rules for claims like short-notice cancellations. These changes aim to align supports with real-world costs, using data from millions of transactions.
In this post, we’ll break down the impacts on your budget, offer practical tips tailored to our expertise in SIL, respite, and daily assistance, and share example scenarios to illustrate potential benefits. Remember, this is general guidance—always consult your plan manager or NDIS coordinator for personalized advice, as per NDIS guidelines.
Key 2025-26 NDIS Price Changes: What You Need to Know
The 2025-26 updates refine pricing without a blanket increase, focusing on sustainability and accessibility. Effective from 24 November 2025, notable changes include:
- Therapy Rate Adjustments: Art and music therapies drop from $193.99 to $156.16 per hour (national rate), making creative wellness supports more affordable but potentially affecting provider availability.
- Remote Area Reclassifications: The MMM updates to the 2023 model, removing some locations (e.g., Green Head, WA; Blythdale, QLD) from remote status, which may lower loadings (40% for remote, 50% for very remote) and impact budgets in those areas.
- Claiming Refinements: Enhanced guidance on travel (up to 50% of rate for therapists), non-face-to-face supports, and cancellations (e.g., 100% claimable for short-notice if no alternative work). COVID-19 and low-cost AT content removed for streamlined compliance.
- Effective Dates: Core pricing from 1 July 2025; v1.1 updates from 24 November 2025.
These tweaks emphasize reasonable and necessary supports, ensuring funds go further for disability-related needs without funding everyday living costs.
Budgeting Tips by Support Type: Maximizing Your 2025-26 NDIS Funds
With prices tied to the Disability Support Worker Cost Model, national rates provide a baseline, uplifted for remote/very remote areas. Here’s how to budget effectively for our primary services—SIL, respite, and daily living assistance—using real 2025-26 figures.
Supported Independent Living (SIL)
SIL promotes independence in shared settings, with flexible claiming (hourly or weekly). Budget tip: Prioritize high-intensity options for complex needs to avoid underfunding.
| Support Type | National Rate (Weekday Daytime) | Remote (+40%) | Very Remote (+50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard SIL Hourly | $70.23/hour | $98.32/hour | $105.35/hour |
| High Intensity SIL Hourly | $75.98/hour | $106.37/hour | $113.97/hour |
| Night-time Sleepover | $297.60 each | $416.64 each | $446.40 each |
New rule: Claim up to 28 days for permanent exits due to breakdowns—ideal for transitions. At Easy Community Services, we integrate trauma-informed planning to stretch your SIL budget, e.g., combining group activities for cost savings while building social ties.
Respite Care (Short Term Accommodation – STA)
Respite offers breaks for carers via short stays (up to 14 days). Tip: Opt for 1:2 or 1:3 ratios for affordability in group settings; add 1:1 hours only for specific self-care.
| Ratio | National Rate (Weekday) | Remote | Very Remote |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1:1 STA | $2,178.57/day | $3,050.00/day | $3,267.86/day |
| 1:2 STA | $1,198.69/day | $1,678.17/day | $1,798.04/day |
| 1:3 STA | $872.06/day | $1,220.88/day | $1,308.09/day |
| Medium Term Accommodation (MTA) | $155.68/day | $217.95/day | $233.52/day |
Updates allow negotiated partial-day rates—perfect for flexible respite. Our trauma-informed respite programs ensure seamless integration, helping you budget for restorative breaks without overspending.
Assistance with Daily Living
Daily supports cover self-care, household tasks, and more. Tip: Use establishment fees ($700+) for setup and layer with capacity-building for long-term savings.
| Support Type | National Rate (Weekday Daytime) | Remote | Very Remote |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Self-Care | $70.23/hour | $98.32/hour | $105.35/hour |
| High Intensity Self-Care | $75.98/hour | $106.37/hour | $113.97/hour |
| Household Cleaning | $58.03/hour | $81.24/hour | $87.05/hour |
| Enrolled Nurse | $99.88/hour | $139.83/hour | $149.82/hour |
Duplicated health supports (e.g., nursing for dysphagia) enhance access. We tailor daily assistance to your routine, incorporating community participation to optimize funds and promote independence.
Pro Tip: Embed a simple budget calculator in your plan review—track via tools like Google Sheets, factoring in travel (up to 60 mins in regional areas) and cancellations.
Real Impact Scenarios: Example Benefits of 2025 Changes
To illustrate how these updates could work in practice, here are two hypothetical scenarios based on common participant needs (fully anonymized and for example purposes only):
Example Scenario 1: SIL Participant with Psychosocial Needs Imagine “Sarah,” a participant in a shared SIL home. With the refined SIL rules allowing up to 28 days of claiming during transitions, her support team adjusts for irregular needs—potentially saving 15% on the budget. This frees funds for community outings, all while maintaining trauma-informed care focused on building belonging.
Example Scenario 2: Respite User Post-Hospitalization Consider “Tom,” needing a break for his carer after a hospital stay. Using MTA options with negotiated partial-day rates could reduce costs by 20% compared to full STA, redirecting savings toward daily nursing supports and smoother home integration.
These examples show how Easy Community Services’ approach could turn pricing updates into personalized, compliant wins—empowering independence without stretching funds thin.
FAQs & Next Steps: Your 2025-26 NDIS Questions Answered
Q: How do remote loadings work? A: Add 40% for MMM6 (remote) or 50% for MMM7 (very remote) based on your location at service time.
Q: Can I negotiate prices? A: Yes, below limits for better value—discuss in service agreements.
Q: What about support coordination? A: Level 2 at $100.14/hour nationally; use for plan optimization.
Ready to adapt your 2025-26 plan? Book a free review with our NDIS-registered coordinators at Easy Community Services. We’ll align your budget with trauma-informed SIL, respite, and daily supports for maximum impact. Contact us today via our form or call—let’s build your path to belonging.
Disclaimer: All pricing based on the NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits 2025-26 v1.1 (effective 24 November 2025), verified current as of May 2026. New 2026-27 pricing takes effect 1 July 2026. Scenarios are hypothetical examples only. Consult NDIS.gov.au for the latest updates.
Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you
Email: jcurtis@easycommunityservices.com
Phone: 0407 144 658