Decoding the New NDIS Pricing Arrangements – How Starlight Care Is Staying Ahead
On 1 July 2025, the NDIS moved from state-based price guides to a unified national pricing framework under the Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits (PAPL). Starlight Care immediately audited our support-worker fees, revamped our client communications, and optimized rostering to reflect these changes—without compromising the consistency or quality of our services. In this article, families and participants will learn about the key shifts in the PAPL 2025–26 and see exactly how Starlight Care is staying ahead.
The latest NDIS Pricing Arrangements (PAPL) 2025–26 replace varied state caps with a single national model designed to improve transparency, fairness, and value for participants and providers. At Starlight Care, we’ve proactively aligned our operations to these updates so you can focus on living, not paperwork.
Key Changes in the 2025–26 PAPL
National Price Caps for Support Workers
All support work now operates under one national rate rather than differing by state or territory.
Harmonised Travel Reimbursements
Travel allowances are standardised across every region—removing previous regional loadings.
Extended Early Childhood Approach
The early-intervention age limit has increased from seven to nine years old, broadening eligibility for younger participants.
How Starlight Care Is Responding
1. Transparent Fee Audits
We conducted a comprehensive review of our support-worker pricing to ensure full compliance with the new national caps. Every family received an updated fee schedule—written in clear, jargon-free language—so there are no surprises at service commencement.
2. Optimized Rostering for Consistency
By leveraging cloud-based rostering software, we now group daily visits in geographic clusters. This reduces travel time, ensures reliable session start times, and eliminates hidden regional fees.
3. Updated Family Communications
Our client-care team refreshed all family handbooks and digital guides to reflect:
- the shift to national pricing.
- standardised travel reimbursements.
- the extended early-childhood approach.
4. Value-Pack Bundles
To help families maximise their budgets under the new caps, we introduced affordable “Support Bundles.” These pre-priced packages combine support work, community outings, and plan coordination in one easy-to-understand offering.
Benefits for Participants and Families
Clarity and Predictability
- Up-to-date cost breakdowns provided at plan start reduce uncertainty
- Consistent session timing ensures reliable support delivery
Fairness Across Regions
- No more hidden loadings based on location—everyone pays the same national rate.
Age-Appropriate Early Intervention
- Children up to nine years old can now access early-childhood approaches, ensuring uninterrupted developmental support.
FAQs
Q: What does “national pricing framework” mean?
A: It’s the shift from separate state-based price guides to a single, standardised model that applies equally across all of Australia.
Q: How does Starlight Care ensure session reliability?
A: Our rostering clusters appointments by location, minimising travel delays and guaranteeing consistent start times.
Q: Who qualifies under the extended early-childhood approach?
A: Any participant aged up to nine needing early-intervention supports now falls within the updated PAPL guidelines.
The NDIS 2025–26 Pricing Arrangements introduce a more transparent, equitable system for funding support work, travel, and early-intervention services. At Starlight Care, we’ve seized this opportunity to streamline our processes, update our communications, and deliver value-packed bundles—all aimed at making your experience smoother and more predictable.
Ready to learn more? Contact our team for a free audit of your NDIS plan under the new arrangements.