New Framework Planning and I-CAN v6 — What the 1 July 2026 Launch Means for Your Next Plan
From 1 July 2026, the NDIA is rolling out "New Framework Planning" built around the I-CAN version 6 functional assessment tool. Plans will look different. Evidence will need to look different. Here is how to prepare.
New Framework Planning and I-CAN v6
The NDIA's "New Framework Planning" approach launches on 1 July 2026. The headline change: the I-CAN version 6 functional assessment tool replaces the existing assessment processes for most new and reviewed plans. The assessment drives the plan — which means the evidence you bring and the way your supports are documented needs to align with the new tool.
For families, the change is manageable but not optional. Plans drafted under the old assessment rules will continue to run until their next review, but any new participant or participant approaching a plan review from July 2026 will move to the new framework.
What Changes
Three practical things change:
- Functional assessment becomes the anchor. The I-CAN v6 tool measures the participant's functional capacity across defined life domains. The resulting score drives the plan's funding envelope.
- Evidence must map to the domains. Reports from GPs, allied health, therapists and support workers need to speak to the I-CAN v6 domains — not just general disability description.
- Goal-setting is more structured. Goals are expected to tie back to specific functional-capacity outcomes, with measurable progress markers.
The I-CAN v6 Domains (Simplified)
I-CAN v6 covers functional capacity across domains including:
- Daily activities and self-care
- Communication and social interaction
- Learning and cognition
- Mobility and physical function
- Health management
- Community participation
- Employment and economic life
Each domain is scored in terms of both current functional capacity and the level of support required. The combination drives the funding recommendation.
How to Prepare Your Evidence
If your plan review is scheduled for July 2026 or later, here is how to get your evidence in shape:
- Ask treating professionals to speak to functional capacity. Your GP, OT, speech pathologist, psychologist and physio should document what the participant can and cannot do — not just diagnosis.
- Translate support worker progress notes into functional outcomes. "Assisted with meal prep" becomes "participant independently completed 30% of meal prep task with prompting; from Week 4 onwards, completing 60%".
- Set goals that map to domains. A goal of "build independence" is too vague. "Be able to prepare a simple meal independently" maps clearly to the self-care domain.
- Keep the evidence current. Old reports (more than 12 months) carry less weight. Schedule fresh assessments for 3-6 months before your plan review.
Our Position and What We Can Help With
The framework change looks complex on paper but is manageable with preparation. Our therapy team writes their progress notes and assessment reports in formats that already map to functional-domain language — this isn't new for us. For participants whose current reports are thinner on functional-capacity detail, we can help route those assessments before the plan review.
If you want to run your current plan and goals through the new framework lens, our Plan Health Check is free, 15 minutes and available in English, Farsi, Urdu, Hindi and Punjabi. Our dedicated NDIS plan review help page has more detail on how to prepare.
Source: NDIA, ndis.gov.au/news/11024-update-new-way-planning · captured 2026-04-10.
Umar Khan
Managing Director
Umar is a co-founder and Managing Director of InLife, a multilingual NDIS disability support team serving Melbourne, Geelong and the Gold Coast. He is also a Monash Law student with a particular interest in disability and regulatory reform.
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