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Feature photo credit: Noah Secomb.
The Department of Social Services (DSS) has responded to concerns voiced by a campaign launched via Every Australian Counts, that urges the Commonwealth Government to slow down its plans to reshape the NDIS. NDIS changes are scheduled to rollout from September this year, but many signatories to the campaign say the sequencing is wrong, and that Foundational Supports, which are intended as offering sources of funding other than NDIS, first need to be drawn up and put in place.
In a statement shared with Powerd Media, in response to the concerns collated by Every Australian Counts, the DSS stated that while necessary reforms are progressing this year, there will be a five-year transition period consistent with the recommendations of the NDIS Review: “NDIS reforms will continue to be shaped by participant experience and the safety and wellbeing of people with disability is paramount,” the statement read.
The DSS spokesperson continued, adding that the National Disability Insurance Agency’s “extensive” co-design program is already underway, contributing to the development of NDIS reforms.
Allied disability organisations, uniting more than 200 disability rights groups, had previously issued a letter asking the Government to stop accelerating eligibility reassessments. They say removing participants well before promised Foundational Supports are in place jeopardises the safety and wellbeing of people with disability:
We stand united in demanding that the Government slow down, work with the disability community, and put the safety and wellbeing of people with disability first
The statement from the Department of Social Services (DSS) responded as follows: “NDIS reforms will continue to be shaped by participant experience and the safety and wellbeing of people with disability is paramount,” and the DSS spokesperson continued, adding that the National Disability Insurance Agency’s “extensive” co-design program is already underway, contributing to the development of NDIS reforms.
“These changes will help secure the future sustainability and integrity of the NDIS…to ensure the promise of the NDIS can continue to be delivered on for generations to come,” they said.
Rights groups are worried if the Government continues with its current plan, participants could end up with the wrong supports or not enough supports - increasing the risks of harm, reduced independence, and poorer outcomes. The new NDIS framework plans are scheduled for rollout from 1 September 2025.