I-CAN: The new NDIS assessment that focuses on what you can do

Getting on to the NDIS, and going through reviews or making requests, has often meant focusing on what your disability stops you from doing.

Sure, that can help show what support you might need, but let’s be honest – it can also leave you feeling a bit “less than.” That’s why a new assessment tool is being introduced from mid-2026, and it’s aiming to change that experience.

It’s called the I-CAN, short for Instrument for the Classification and Assessment of Support Needs. But the name fits in more ways than one, because this tool is all about what you can do with the right support.

Instead of focusing only on what’s hard or not possible, the I-CAN flips the script. It helps you say, “I can do this, if I have the right supports in place.”

In this blog, we’ll walk you through what the I-CAN is, how it works, and what it means for you. You don’t need to do anything just yet, but when the time comes, you’ll feel ready and confident.

Because you can do it.

Why the change?

Right now, getting onto the NDIS or going through a plan review usually means gathering reports from medical or allied health professionals that explain your impairments.

For some people, that’s manageable. But for many, it’s expensive, time consuming, and frustrating. Long waitlists, especially in regional areas, can mean waiting months (or even years) just to get the right assessments or reports. And let’s not even talk about how much those reports can cost.

The I-CAN has been chosen to help fix this. It’s designed to remove those barriers, so people don’t have to spend thousands of dollars or sit on endless waitlists just to prove they need support. It’s about making the process fairer and more accessible for everyone.

Using one standardised tool across the country also means more consistency. No matter where you live, who your planner is, or which professionals you’ve seen, your plan should be built on the same foundation. That means fewer surprises, and no more “postcode lottery” where two people with similar needs end up with very different plans.

You’ll still be able to submit extra evidence if you want to, especially if your needs are complex or change over time (you’ll find some tips in this recent article about how to make it effective). But the big difference is that your whole plan won’t rely on those extra reports anymore.

How the assessment works

The I-CAN assessment is done online with a trained assessor. It’s designed for all NDIS participants aged 16 and over, no matter what type of disability you have. It’s also flexible – if some parts don’t apply to you the assessor can adjust the structure to suit your needs.

Your assessor might be someone like:

• An allied health professional (like an occupational therapist, physiotherapist, or psychologist)
• A registered or enrolled nurse
• A clinician with an education degree
• An NDIS Behaviour Support Practitioner

 

The assessment involves a series of questions about different areas of your life, with a focus on what you can do in each of them, with the right support. Each area is scored from 1 to 5, based on how much support you need and how often.

It takes around 3 hours to complete, but you can take breaks whenever you need to. You can also ask as many questions as you like along the way. If there are questions that feel too personal or uncomfortable, you can ask the assessor to step out while you answer. And you’re welcome to have a support person with you like a family member, friend, or support coordinator.

It’s a long session, and it can be tiring or challenging, especially for people with psychosocial or cognitive disability, or anyone with communication barriers. If you’re worried about how you’ll go, let your assessor know early on. They should be able to make reasonable adjustments to make the process easier for you.

What the assessment looks at

The I-CAN assessment looks at 12 key areas of life, often called “domains”, to get a full picture of your support needs. It’s designed to be holistic, meaning it doesn’t just focus on one part of your life, but considers everything that might be relevant to your wellbeing and independence.

Here’s a quick overview of the 12 domains:

1. Mobility: This includes how you move from place to place, whether you use mobility aids, and any transport support you might need.
2. Domestic Life: Things like cooking, cleaning, shopping, and keeping your home in order. It looks at what you do yourself and where you might need a hand.
3. Self-care: Support with things like showering, dressing, grooming, and using the toilet. It also includes any tools or prep you need to manage these tasks.
4. Community, Social & Civic Life: This covers how you manage money, speak up for yourself, and take part in social or community activities, including hobbies and recreation.
5. Communication: How you prefer to communicate and any support you need to express yourself or understand others.
6. Learning & Applying Knowledge: How you take in new information, make decisions, manage time, and handle things like reading, writing, or using numbers.
7. General Tasks & Demands: Managing your day-to-day tasks, including taking medication, staying safe, and handling responsibilities.
8. Lifelong Learning: If you’re studying or working (or want to), this looks at what support you might need to get started or stay on track.
9. Interpersonal Interaction & Relationships: Your relationships with family, friends, and partners, and any support you need to build or maintain them.
10. Behaviour of Concern: This includes any behaviours that might cause harm to yourself or others, and what support you need to manage them.
11. Mental & Emotional Health: Your mental health and the supports that help you stay well emotionally.
12. Physical Health: This includes things like sleep, pain, chronic health conditions, and any other physical health needs you may have.

 

Each domain is broken down into smaller sections that help you talk about specific areas of your life. For example, in the personal care domain you’ll be asked about:

• Eating and drinking
• General hygiene and grooming
• Using the toilet
• Getting dressed

 

The only exception is physical health, which is broken down into 10 areas instead of four. That’s because it needs to capture a wide range of health-related needs in more detail. 

If you’re someone who likes to be prepared, it might be helpful to start thinking about what you can do in each of these areas, and where you need support, ahead of time. That way, when the I-CAN becomes part of the NDIS process, you’ll feel more ready to talk about your needs.

Looking ahead with confidence

We know that changes to the NDIS can sometimes feel overwhelming, especially when they involve new assessments. But the I-CAN tool is designed to make things simpler, fairer, and more focused on your strengths and support needs.

It won’t be introduced until mid 2026, so there’s no need to take action just yet. Still, getting familiar with how it works now can help you feel more prepared when the time comes.

The Centre for Disability Studies, who developed the I-CAN, have shared some helpful resources including an easy read guide and sample report you can use to get a glimpse of what’s ahead.

When the time comes, you’ll be ready to take it on, one step at a time.