The shift to I-CAN assessments and what that means for you

You may have heard about upcoming changes to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) planning process and the introduction of I-CAN assessments, and you might be wondering what it's all about.

From April 2027, the I-CAN assessment is expected to become part of the planning process for all NDIS participants over the age of 16. I-CAN is designed to help the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) better understand your support needs, and it will be used alongside other information when the Agency is creating your plan.

While some details are still being worked through, understanding how the assessment works can help you feel more prepared and confident when the time comes. Here’s what we know so far.

What's an I-CAN assessment?

I-CAN stands for Instrument for Classification and Assessment of Support Needs.

It's a support needs assessment tool developed by the Centre for Disability Studies and based on more than 20 years of research. The NDIA’s chosen I-CAN Version 6 to help inform planning and budget decisions under the new NDIS planning framework.

Unlike some assessments (like the Notice of Impairments) that focus on what you can't do, I-CAN shifts the focus to look at:

• the support you need in everyday life
• how often that support is required
• how much help is needed

Consistency, transparency and no cost to participants

The Australian Government is introducing the I-CAN tool to create a more consistent and transparent way of understanding the supports you may need. Instead of relying on multiple, and potentially expensive, reports from allied health professionals and medical specialists, the assessment will focus on understanding your daily life, with you as the source.

Going through the I-CAN process with an assessor, as part of creating your NDIS plan, won’t result in any out-of-pocket costs for you. 

What happens during an I-CAN assessment

The assessment involves a structured, three-hour conversation with a trained assessor that covers 12 life domains. The assessor will ask questions about different areas of your life and the support you need in each area.

The assessment doesn’t need to happen all in one go – you can take breaks whenever you need and you can complete the full assessment over multiple sessions.

The conversation will cover things like how you move around safely, how you’re able to look after yourself, how you’re feed yourself, how you communicate with others, your daily routines, how social you are or want to be, your opportunities to learn (including formal education), and your mental and physical health.

The 12 life domains include:

1. Mobility: Getting around safely at home and in the community.
2. Domestic life: Everyday household tasks like cooking, cleaning and shopping.
3. Self care: Personal tasks such as showering, dressing and using the bathroom.
4. Community participation: Managing daily life, making decisions and taking part in activities you enjoy.
5. Communication: How you communicate and any support you rely on.
6. Learning: Understanding information, solving problems and managing everyday tasks.
7. General tasks and demands: Staying organised, managing responsibilities, and keeping yourself safe.
8. Lifelong learning: Support to study, work or build new skills.
9. Relationships: Connecting with family, friends, partners and other people in your life.
10. Behaviours of concern: Any behaviours that may affect your safety or the safety of others.
11. Mental and emotional health: Your emotional wellbeing and the supports that help you manage it.
12. Physical health: Things like sleep, pain, fatigue and other ongoing health needs. This is a larger section and covers much more detail than the other sections. 

Don't worry if some of these categories sound unfamiliar, or if you haven’t considered them at all. The assessor's role is to guide the conversation and help gather information about your day-to-day support needs.

I-CAN is about understanding your current reality

Some people find it difficult to talk about the parts of their life they need help with. Others are used to ‘getting on with it’ and may unintentionally downplay the support they rely on every day.

An I-CAN assessment is about presenting a realistic picture of your life, as it is today.

Without minimising your independence, when considering something ‘you can do yourself’, are you considering if someone else is reminding you, prompting you, supervising you, helping you stay safe, doing some organising, managing paperwork, and helping with decision-making?

These details matter and give a clearer picture of your support needs.

If a family member, friend or support worker helps you complete a task, that's important information that should be discussed during the assessment.

Think about your good and difficult days

Many people naturally focus on what they can do when things are going well. But support needs aren't always the same every day.

If your situation fluctuates, it’s helpful to have a reference point for your best, average, and most difficult days and the level of support you need for each. 

How to prepare for an I-CAN assessment

You don’t need to bring reports or supporting documents to the assessment, but a little preparation before your conversation can help you feel more confident.

Keep a support diary

For a week or two leading up to your assessment, make notes about:

• support you receive
• who provides that support
• how often it's needed
• what would happen without it

A simple diary can be a useful reference for you during your assessment conversation.

Talk to family members or trusted supports

People who know you well often notice support needs you may overlook.

They can help identify if you’re on the receiving end of prompts and reminders, supervision, emotional support, transport assistance, or help with communicating.

Use real examples

Real life examples are more helpful than general statements.

For example: "Last week I missed two appointments because I didn't have support to manage my schedule." can paint a clearer picture than simply saying: "I have trouble with organisation.".

Consider having a support person present

If you're comfortable, you may want a family member, friend, advocate, support coordinator, or trusted person involved in the conversation.

They may be able to help you to explain the supports you receive and ensure important information isn't missed.

Focus on being accurate and specific

Your I-CAN assessment is about understanding the support you need in everyday life. This means thinking about: 

• what support you currently receive
• what help you rely on regularly
• what happens when support isn't available
• areas where additional support would improve safety, independence or participation

The more accurate and specific you can be, the easier it is to build a clear picture of your support needs.

We don’t have all the answers about I-CAN just yet, particularly when it comes to how assessment results will influence future funding decisions. But we do know these assessments will play an important role in future planning discussions.

For now, the best thing you can do is focus on providing accurate information about your daily life and support needs during the assessment process.  

Taking some time to reflect on the support you receive – both formal and informal – can help you feel more prepared and confident when the time comes.