The 12 Areas of Life Used in NDIS New Framework Planning (2026 Update)

From mid-2026, as reforms are progressively introduced, NDIS planning is expected to place greater emphasis on understanding how people live their everyday lives under the NDIS New Framework Planning. Under New Framework Planning, participant support needs are considered across the 12 areas of life in the NDIS framework, often referred to as NDIS functional domains. These areas help planners understand where support is genuinely needed, rather than relying heavily on diagnoses or lengthy reports. The upcoming NDIS planning changes 2026 aim to improve fairness, consistency, and transparency in how support needs are assessed. These changes are part of broader reforms introduced by the National Disability Insurance Scheme following the NDIS Review. Official updates and planning guidance are available through the NDIS website https://www.ndis.gov.au This blog explains why everyday life areas matter, how function is assessed, how supports link to each area, and how this approach shapes NDIS funding decisions and plan outcomes.

Why Everyday Life Areas Matter in NDIS Planning

Disability does not affect people in the same way, even when diagnoses are similar. Two people with the same condition may experience very different challenges in daily life. That is why the new framework focuses on everyday activities rather than medical labels alone. By looking at how someone manages routine tasks, planners gain a clearer picture of how disability impacts independence, safety, and participation. This shift reflects a move toward NDIS functional assessment, where real-life impact carries more weight than diagnostic labels alone. This approach allows participants to explain their needs using real life examples, such as what happens at home, in the community, or at work, rather than relying on technical language. According to official NDIS planning principles, funding decisions should reflect functional impact and reasonable and necessary supports https://www.ndis.gov.au/about-us/operational-guidelines/planning 

How Function Is Assessed Under the New Framework

Function is assessed through structured support needs assessments that explore how a person manages different aspects of everyday life. The focus is on what a person can do independently, where they need assistance, and what type of support improves functional outcomes across the 12 areas of life in the NDIS framework. Assessments are based on typical daily experiences rather than isolated events. These assessments form part of the proposed NDIS functional assessment model under New Framework Planning. Planners consider how support helps someone live safely, participate socially, manage routines, and make decisions. This ensures funding decisions are grounded in lived experience, not assumptions or paperwork volume.

Understanding the 12 Areas of Life

Each of the 12 areas of life in NDIS planning represents an important part of everyday living. Together, they provide a holistic view of a person’s support needs. Mobility and physical movement looks at how someone moves around their home and community. This includes walking, transferring, and accessing spaces safely. Supports in this area may help people move independently or participate in activities outside the home. Communication and understanding focuses on how a person expresses themselves and understands others. This may include verbal communication, alternative communication methods, or support to understand written or spoken information in daily situations. Personal care and self management considers daily activities such as showering, dressing, grooming, and managing personal routines. Support in this area helps people maintain dignity, independence, and wellbeing. Social interaction and relationships looks at how a person connects with family, friends, and the wider community. Supports may help with social confidence, communication, or maintaining positive relationships. Learning and skill development focuses on building and maintaining skills needed for everyday life. This can include learning routines, developing independence, or adapting to changes across different life stages. Emotional wellbeing considers how a person manages emotions and mental wellbeing in daily life. Support in this area may help with emotional regulation, coping strategies, or maintaining stability. Decision making and independence looks at how a person makes choices and manages responsibilities. Supports may assist with understanding options, planning, and building confidence in decision making. Daily living at home focuses on managing a household and daily routines, such as meal preparation, cleaning, and maintaining a safe living environment. Community participation considers involvement outside the home, including accessing community activities, appointments, and social events. Support in this area helps people stay connected and engaged. Education or employment participation looks at how a person engages in learning or work environments. Supports may help with participation, adjustments, or skill development related to study or employment. Health related support needs considers disability related health impacts that affect daily functioning. This does not replace the health system but recognises where disability related supports assist daily life. Safety and risk management focuses on staying safe at home and in the community. Supports in this area may help manage risks, provide supervision where needed, or support safe decision making. Collectively, these areas form the foundation of the NDIS functional domains assessment, guiding planners when determining reasonable and necessary supports.

How These Areas Affect NDIS Plan Outcomes

By assessing support needs across these 12 areas, planners develop a clearer and more balanced understanding of what support is reasonable and necessary. This approach helps align NDIS funding decisions more closely with actual functional needs rather than documentation quality. It also supports more consistent outcomes for participants with similar needs and provides clearer explanations for funding decisions. Under the NDIS New Framework Planning, linking funding to functional domains is intended to improve transparency and predictability in budget outcomes. Information on how NDIS plans are structured and used is available here https://www.ndis.gov.au/participants/using-your-plan Overall, this framework aims to reduce confusion, improve fairness, and strengthen trust in the planning process.

How Ambition Health Group Can Support You

At Ambition Health Group, we help participants and families understand how the 12 areas of life NDIS framework  apply to their individual circumstances. We support you to identify relevant support needs, prepare for assessments, and communicate your everyday experiences clearly during planning conversations. If you would like guidance on how NDIS planning changes 2026  may affect your supports, contact Ambition Health Group and let our team support you with clarity and confidence.

Frequently Asked Questions About the 12 Areas of Life in NDIS Planning

Q. What are the 12 areas of life in NDIS New Framework Planning?

The 12 areas of life NDIS framework are functional domains used to understand how a person manages everyday activities and where support is needed. These areas help planners assess support needs in a structured and consistent way, forming part of the proposed NDIS functional assessment model. Official information about NDIS planning principles is provided by the National Disability Insurance Scheme https://www.ndis.gov.au/about-us/operational-guidelines/planning 

Q. Why has the NDIS introduced functional areas instead of focusing on diagnosis?

Diagnoses alone do not show how disability affects daily life. The move toward NDIS functional domains ensures funding decisions are based on real-world impact rather than medical labels alone. This approach supports fairer and more consistent planning outcomes. Context for these reforms comes from the NDIS Review https://www.ndisreview.gov.au

Q. Are the 12 areas used to limit or reduce support?

No. The purpose of the 12 areas is to understand where support is needed, not to restrict access. They are intended to guide clearer and more consistent NDIS funding decisions, not automatically reduce budgets. By looking across all areas of life, planners can better align funding with actual support needs rather than paperwork quality or report volume.

Q. How are the 12 areas assessed during planning?

The areas are explored through structured support needs assessments that consider how a person functions in daily life. Assessments focus on typical routines, safety, independence, and participation rather than one off situations. More information about how planning decisions are made is available here https://www.ndis.gov.au/participants/using-your-plan

Q. Will every participant need support in all 12 areas?

No. Not everyone will need support in every area. The framework recognises that support needs vary between individuals. Some participants may require assistance in only a few areas, while others may need broader support.

Q. Can participants explain their needs using everyday examples?

Yes. Everyday examples are encouraged. Participants can describe what happens at home, in the community, or at work to help planners understand where support makes a difference. Technical or clinical language is not required.

Q. Do families and carers have input into these areas?

Families and carers can provide valuable insight, particularly where participants may find it difficult to explain their needs. With consent, carers can support discussions and help ensure everyday challenges are clearly understood. Information about disability support and reform is published by the Department of Social Services https://www.dss.gov.au/disability-and-carers 

Q. How do the 12 areas affect NDIS funding decisions?

Funding decisions are informed by how support needs present across the 12 areas of life NDIS framework. This helps planners link funding to functional needs and improves consistency between participants with similar circumstances.

Q. Where can participants find reliable information about NDIS planning changes?

The most reliable information comes directly from official NDIS communications. Participants should regularly check the NDIS website and speak with trusted providers who stay informed about reforms https://www.ndis.gov.au