Australia's NDIS reforms risk cutting support for disabled families

The Australian government has announced major changes to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) that will cut $37.8 billion over the next four years. The reforms include tighter eligibility criteria, a mandatory provider registration system, a new enrolment and digital payment portal, and a reset of participant budgets for social and community participation to bring average annual spending down from about $33,000 to $26,000, the level seen in 2023.

Critics say the changes will devastate participants such as Karley Moran, a young woman with Down syndrome who relies on NDIS-funded support workers to maintain employment and independent living. Her sister, speech pathologist Sarah Moran, warned that reduced community‑participation funding could mean Karley loses the support needed to get to work, effectively removing her from public life. Disability‑rights groups have called for co‑design and genuine engagement with people with disabilities in shaping the reforms.

NDIS providers report financial strain, with eight in ten delivering unfunded services and many operating at a loss. The government argues the measures are necessary to curb rapid cost growth and prevent fraud, but opponents contend the reforms scapegoat disabled people instead of addressing systemic issues in the scheme.