NDIS Funding Guide • 2026–27 claiming rules

A cancelled appointment does not automatically become a valid NDIS claim. A provider needs an applicable cancellation claim type, a valid service agreement, the correct notice conditions and compliance with the currently operative rules.

Reviewed 20 October 2026 • Pricing Schedule effective 24 September 2026 • Australian dollars • Guidance may change.

What does the September 2026 price schedule contain?

The 2026–27 schedule lists many therapy and early-childhood support items with a _CA cancellation suffix. For instance, the national occupational therapy cancellation item 15_617_0128_1_3_CA has a maximum of $193.99 per hour, matching that item family's direct-service limit. This gives a maximum amount for a permitted claim; it is not a general entitlement to charge $193.99 for every cancelled booking.

What conditions should be checked before charging?

Earlier NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits documents required the cancellation claim type to be allowed for the support item, the participant's service agreement to cover the charge, the applicable notice period to have passed, and the worker-related circumstances to support the claim. The NDIA pricing site said in October 2026 that updated detailed 2026–27 guidance was still forthcoming, so specific older notice-day rules should not be promoted as verified new rules without re-checking the current support catalogue and operative guidance.

What about a provider's own 24-hour or 48-hour policy?

A provider may have a published cancellation policy, but that policy does not override NDIS price limits or the conditions required to claim from a plan. The number of hours in a private service agreement should not be described as an NDIS-wide mandatory notice rule. The agreement and the item's current eligibility flags both matter. If circumstances are exceptional, the provider may choose to waive a charge, but this does not mean a charge is always permitted.

Worked examples: cancelled support versus a service delivered

Example 1: an OT appointment is cancelled with enough notice under the applicable rules; do not automatically submit a cancellation because the appointment was in the calendar. Example 2: a participant cancels shortly before a booked support worker shift. Before claiming, check that the item permits a cancellation, what was agreed, the correct current notice test and relevant worker-related claim requirements. Example 3: the provider cancels because a worker is unavailable; do not simply invoice the participant for an appointment the provider failed to deliver.

How should cancellations be documented?

Keep the original service agreement, booking time, support code, cancellation notification timestamp, communications with the participant or nominee, any worker payment obligation and whether alternative work was secured when relevant. Record the reason if you decide to waive the fee. Ask the plan manager to query an invoice that lacks sufficient documentation or shows the wrong claim type.

Common questions

Sources and related articles

The official NDIA pricing schedules and 2026–27 support catalogue should be read together. The detailed charging rules for some services are not in the 96-page price schedule. Where prior 2025–26 arrangements are explained, this is labelled as historical information, not presented as a confirmed new 2026–27 rule. Start with the full price guide.

Independent general information prepared by Beyond Health Services. It is not NDIA advice or an individual funding decision.