🗓️ What’s Changing?
On 25 September 2025, the Federal Government announced that starting 1 July 2026, all NDIS participants aged 16 and over will undergo a formal Needs Assessment using the I-CAN tool. The rollout will take place over five years.
🔍 What is the I-CAN Tool?
The Instrument for the Classification and Assessment of Support Needs (I-CAN) was developed by the Centre for Disability Studies at the University of Sydney. It provides a structured, person-centred way to assess support needs.
Assessments will be conducted in participants’ homes by NDIA-employed assessors through a three-hour interview.
🎯 Why This Matters
The Government aims to:
- Reduce reliance on costly allied health reports.
- Free up NDIS funding for direct therapy and support services.
- Improve consistency in funding decisions using a standardised scoring system.
🧠Domains of Assessment
The I-CAN tool is based on the WHO’s International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) and covers 12 domains, being:
- Mobility
- Domestic Life
- Self Care
- Community, Social and Civic Life
- Communication
- Learning and Applying Knowledge
- General Tasks and Demands
- Lifelong Learning
- Interpersonal Relationships
- Behaviours of Concern
- Mental and Emotional Health
- Physical Health
đź“Š Scoring System
Each domain within the I-CAN Needs Assessment is evaluated using two distinct scales:
-
Frequency of Support: Measures how often support is required, rated from 0 (never) to 5 (always).
-
Level of Support: Assesses the intensity or complexity of support needed, also rated from 0 (none) to 5 (high).
These two scores are combined to produce a Support Intensity Score, which ranges from 0 to 10. This final score helps guide funding decisions by providing a consistent, evidence-based measure of a participant’s support needs.
⚠️ Community Concerns
The Government aims to:
-
Privacy & Comfort:
A lengthy home interview may be distressing for some. -
Non-verbal Participants:
Lack of clarity on how assessments will accommodate complex communication needs. -
Underreporting Needs:
Participants may unintentionally downplay their needs. -
Exclusion of Clinical Reports:
NDIA is not required to consider external professional reports. -
Potential Bias:
NDIA-employed assessors may be incentivised to minimise support needs. -
Trauma-Informed Practice:
Uncertainty around assessor training in trauma-sensitive approaches.
đź’¬ Final Thoughts
The I-CAN rollout represents a major shift in NDIS assessment practices. While the goals of consistency and cost-efficiency are valid, it’s essential that the process remains:
- Person-centred
- Inclusive
- Trauma-informed
- Responsive to diverse needs
Ongoing consultation with the disability community will be key to ensuring this reform leads to better outcomes—not just streamlined processes.
