The NDIS is ever-changing, and can be extremely difficult to keep up. Insight PBS monitors all the significant changes that may affect participants and service providers. While most of our content is centred around Positive Behaviour Support and Psychology. Our NDIS Update articles are generalised, and may apply to everyone.

Major Funding & PRODA changes are here!

Starting Monday, 19 May 2025 (yes, yesterday), two major changes occurred to the way we access and use NDIS supports. Read on to find out what they mean for you and what you need to do next.

1. Staged funding periods for new and reassessed plans

What is changing?

From your plan start date, instead of receiving your full budget at once, funds will be released in smaller instalments or “funding periods”.

Core supports and capacity building will now arrive in quarterly tranches.
Home & Living supports will now usually be funded month by month.

High-cost items such as assisted technology or home modifications will continue to be paid in one lump sum.

If you do not use all the money in one period, any remainder automatically rolls into the next period, but any funds unspent when your plan ends will not carry over into a new plan.

Why is this happening?

Funding periods will aim to strengthen financial management and ensure your support budget is used effectively. The key reasons are:

Better scheme sustainability
Releasing funds in stages helps the NDIA match payments to actual usage and reduces the risk of large sums sitting idle.
Improved transparency
You, your Plan Manager and approved Support Coordinator can clearly see what is available each period and plan services accordingly.
Consistent service delivery
Steady instalments encourage providers and participants to spread supports evenly, avoiding spikes or gaps in service.
Enhanced accountability
Periodic budgets make it simpler to track spending and demonstrate that funds are being applied as intended.
Fraud prevention and financial safeguards
Smaller, regular releases reduce the risk of overspending and help promptly detect irregular claims.

How it works in practice

Periods start on your plan start date (for example, a plan beginning on 15 June will release its first funds on 15 June).
You and your Plan Manager or approved Support Coordinator can view remaining balances and release dates in the portal. Other providers will only see your total available under each line item.
Claims must be submitted within the correct period. If a support crosses two periods, you will need two separate claims.
Trying to claim more than is available in the current period (including any rolled-over balance) will result in a full rejection. You cannot tap into forthcoming periods early.

When will this be implemented?

If your plan was approved before 19 May 2025, none of this applies yet. You will continue to receive and claim your full budget under the old arrangements until your next review.

Any plans that are approved or renewed from yesterday onwards, will be following the new funding rules.

2. Goodbye PRODA, Hello RAM and myID

What is happening?

The NDIA is replacing Provider Digital Access (PRODA) with the Relationship Authorisation Manager (RAM) service to strengthen identity checks. From mid-2025 all providers must use an Australian Government–managed digital identity called myID to log into RAM and access NDIS portals. This will help protect participants, providers and the Scheme against scams, fraud and data breaches.

Why is this change happening?

The NDIS is cracking down on fraud by strengthening its systems and improving its processes to detect, prevent and respond to fraud.

Strong identity checks help us protect participants, providers, and the Scheme from scams, fraud, and data breaches.

Therefore, they need to make the providers they interact with are who they say they are. In the same way, they need to make sure we have the right permissions to access participant information.

When will the change become effective? – (changing to myID and RAM)

The change will take place in mid-2025.

All providers need to prepare now by creating a myID.

You can set up your myID now.

Keep reading for information about what is the appropriate identity strength required for your role.

What about the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission portal?

Your login method changes to myID and RAM, but uploading Behaviour Support Plans and other documents remains the same via the NDIS Commission portal.

Do these changes impact how I log into the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission (NQSC) portal?

The NDIA and NQSC are working in partnership to implement this change.

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For PBS providers/practitioners

Impact on Uploading Behaviour Support Plans

While the method of logging in will change, the process for uploading BSPs remains the same. Behaviour Support Practitioners will continue to use the NDIS Commission Portal to lodge BSPs. The key difference is that access to this portal will now require authentication through myID and authorisation via RAM.

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Timeline & action steps

Now (Phase 1: Prepare)
– Gather your identity documents.
– Set up your myID via www.myID.gov.au/setup.
July 2025 (Phase 2: Transition)
– Principal authorities for each provider link their myID to their business in RAM.
– They then authorise their employees to act on behalf of the provider in NDIS systems.
Mid-late 2025 (Phase 3: Go live)
– All provider employees must use myID and RAM to log into NDIA portals.
– You will be notified by email once your business is set up and your permissions assigned.

What’s next for you?

Set up your myID today to avoid any delays when the switch to RAM comes.
Talk to your planner if you need more funds early in your plan.
Review and update your service agreements to match the new funding period schedule.

By taking these simple steps now, you can ensure a smooth transition to more flexible claim management and a stronger, more secure login experience. If you have any questions, please reach out to your Plan Manager, Support Coordinator or contact the NDIA Provider Line.