The short answer
- Support workers, SIL and STA: short notice means less than 7 days' notice. A public holiday doesn't change the 7 days.
- Supports not delivered by support workers: short notice means less than 2 clear business days.
- How much: up to 100% of the agreed fee, claimed from your plan with the same support item.
- Only if: your service agreement includes it, and the provider couldn't find other paid work for the worker and still has to pay them.
- Not automatic: providers can waive the fee or offer better terms.
Which rules apply in 2026-27?
The NDIS pricing schedule 2026-27, effective 24 September 2026, sets the maximum prices. It doesn't set out cancellation rules. The NDIA says it will shortly publish updated pricing and claiming guidance.
Until it does, the latest published cancellation rules are in the NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits 2025-26, which is still linked from the NDIA's pricing page. This guide uses those rules. When the NDIA publishes its updated guidance, we'll check this page again and change its "Last reviewed" date.
What counts as a short notice cancellation?
A short notice cancellation is when you cancel a support with less notice than the rules allow, or you don't show up. A no-show includes not being at the agreed place within a reasonable time when the provider is travelling to you.
| Type of support | Short notice means |
|---|---|
| Disability support worker supports, such as support work, personal care, community access, SIL and STA | Less than 7 days' notice |
| Most supports not delivered by disability support workers | Less than 2 clear business days' notice |
The 7 days are counted as days, not business days. The NDIA's own example says a public holiday doesn't change the 7-day notice period.
When can a provider charge a cancellation fee?
The Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits 2025-26 let a provider claim from your plan for a short notice cancellation only when all of these conditions are met:
- the pricing rules allow a short notice cancellation claim for that support item;
- the provider couldn't find other billable work for the worker; and
- the provider has to pay the worker for the time they would have spent with you (this doesn't apply to sole traders and partnerships, who are the worker).
The same rules say providers should write their cancellation terms into the participant's service agreement, and the NDIA's examples allow the claim when the service agreement includes cancellation arrangements.
How much can a provider claim?
Up to 100% of the agreed fee for the support. The provider claims it at the agreed rate, using the same support item it would have used if the support had gone ahead, and marks the claim as a cancellation.
There is no hard limit on how many short notice cancellations can be claimed. But the NDIA says providers have a duty of care: if you have an unusual number of cancellations, the provider should try to understand why. The NDIA monitors cancellation claims and may contact providers about them.
Can a provider waive the fee or give more notice?
Yes. Providers can waive a short notice cancellation fee, for example because of your circumstances on the day. They can also offer better terms in their own policy. In one NDIA example, a participant and provider agreed that a fee applies only if less than 48 hours' notice is given; that agreed term is what applies.
Group supports
If you cancel a group activity at short notice and the provider can't fill your place, the provider can bill you at the rate you'd have paid if you had attended, as long as the other conditions are met. Everyone else in the group is billed as if you had come.
SIL and cancellations
The Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits 2025-26 list the 7-day short notice cancellation rule for SIL support items. They also cover irregular SIL supports: if you are home unexpectedly, for example because your day program is cancelled, your SIL provider can claim the extra support you need using the irregular SIL option.
We found no separate NDIA rule about "absence days" in SIL. Read your SIL service agreement for how your provider handles time away from home, and see how SIL funding and rosters of care work.
Short-term accommodation (STA) and respite
STA support is a disability support worker support, so the 7-day rule applies. In the 2026-27 pricing schedule, STA is priced as hourly support plus a daily accommodation amount, rather than one daily price. Ask your provider which parts of a booked stay they would charge if you cancel late. See the respite and STA rules.
Cancelling a shift vs ending your agreement
Cancelling one shift and ending your service agreement are different things. To end the agreement, you give the notice your service agreement sets. The NDIA says you may be charged a fee if you don't give the agreed notice. Our guide to changing NDIS providers covers the steps.
Tips to avoid cancellation fees
- Read the cancellation part of your service agreement before you sign. Check the notice period and how to cancel (call, text or email).
- Cancel as early as you can, and keep a record of when you cancelled.
- If you're often cancelling, talk to your provider. A different time or day may suit your routine better.
- Check your plan statements. Ask your provider or plan manager about any cancellation claim you don't recognise.
Our cancellation terms
We go through our notice period and cancellation terms with you before support starts and write them into your service agreement. If something comes up, call or text 0403 828 422 as early as you can. We charge within the maximum prices in the NDIS pricing schedule, with no hidden fees.
Questions about notice and cancellations?
Ask us how our notice period and cancellation terms work before support starts.
Common questions
How much notice do I need to give to cancel NDIS support?
Under the NDIA's latest published rules, at least 7 days for support worker supports, including SIL and STA, and at least 2 clear business days for most other supports. Your service agreement may give you better terms.
Can an NDIS provider charge 100% for a cancellation?
Yes, up to 100% of the agreed fee, but only if your service agreement includes cancellation terms, the provider couldn't find other paid work for the worker and it still has to pay them.
Is it 7 business days or 7 days?
7 days. The NDIA's example says a public holiday doesn't change the 7-day notice period. The 2 clear business days rule applies to most supports not delivered by disability support workers.
What if I don't show up?
A no-show is treated like a short notice cancellation. That includes not being at the agreed place within a reasonable time when the provider is travelling to you.
Is there a limit on cancellation charges?
There's no hard limit on the number of claims, but the NDIA monitors cancellation claims, and providers are expected to find out why if a participant has an unusual number of cancellations.
Can I be charged if the provider cancels the shift?
The NDIA's short notice cancellation rules cover supports you cancel at short notice or don't turn up for. When a provider cancels, your service agreement should say what happens if the provider cancels, pauses or replaces a support, so check it before you sign. If we cancel a shift, we don't charge you for it.
What should I do if I see a cancellation charge I don't recognise?
Ask your provider, or your plan manager if you have one, what the charge is for. A provider can only claim when your service agreement includes cancellation terms and the other conditions are met, and providers can waive the fee.
Keep a record of when you cancelled. If it isn't sorted out, you can contact the NDIS Commission on 1800 035 544.
Sources
- NDIS, NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits 2025-26 (version 1.1, valid from 24 November 2025), "Short Notice Cancellations" and the SIL and STA support item notes (DOCX). www.ndis.gov.au (read 11 Nov 2026)
- NDIS, NDIS pricing schedule 2026-27, effective 24 September 2026 (DOCX): Introduction, Part 1, Appendix 1 Table 1, Appendix 2 Tables 7 and 8, Part 4. www.ndis.gov.au (read 11 Nov 2026)
- NDIS, Pricing arrangements (who the maximum prices apply to; updated pricing and claiming guidance to come). www.ndis.gov.au (read 11 Nov 2026)
- NDIS, How to make a service agreement. www.ndis.gov.au (read 11 Nov 2026)
- NDIS, How to change providers. www.ndis.gov.au (read 11 Nov 2026)