PWDA
AUSTRALIA’S peak disability advocacy body is warning proposed Federal Government reforms could force hundreds of thousands of people from the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), describing the legislation as the most significant overhaul since the scheme was introduced more than a decade ago.
The concerns come as the Senate prepares to consider the legislation following a parliamentary inquiry that attracted more than 4×000 submissions from people with disability, carers, families and advocacy organisations.
According to figures cited by PWDA, government modelling indicates more than 241,000 existing NDIS participants could leave the scheme within four years if the reforms proceed. The modelling also forecasts almost 350,000 fewer participants will be accessing the NDIS by 2031 than previously expected.
PWDA Acting Chief Executive Officer Megan Spindler-Smith told the Senate Inquiry there was an important distinction between maintaining the long-term sustainability of the NDIS and limiting access to the supports people with disability rely upon every day.
The organisation supports reform of the scheme but argues changes of this scale should be evidence-based, co-designed with people with disability and implemented only after extensive consultation.
Under the proposed legislation, significant changes would be made to who can access the NDIS, what supports can be funded, how funding decisions are made, review and appeal rights, and the powers available to the Minister and Government.
PWDA fears many participants could lose access to support before replacement programs and community services are established, potentially shifting costs onto already stretched hospitals, mental health services, state-funded disability programs, families and carers.
“When support is withdrawn, the need does not disappear,” PWDA told the Senate Inquiry, warning the reforms could recreate many of the challenges that existed before the NDIS was established.
The disability community has responded strongly to the proposed changes.
PWDA’s Protect the NDIS petition has attracted more than 21,400 signatures, while a parliamentary e-petition has gathered a further 7117 signatures. More than 1000 people downloaded the organisation’s submission template and over 4000 submissions were ultimately lodged with the Senate Inquiry.
In response, PWDA launched its “Reasonable. Necessary. Ordinary.” campaign, which aims to highlight the everyday role NDIS-funded supports play in helping people with disability live independently, work, study, build relationships and participate in their communities.
The organisation has also prepared a detailed submission containing 44 recommendations, including calls to strengthen participant rights, preserve independent review processes, maintain human oversight of key decisions and ensure alternative supports are operating before any participant loses access to NDIS assistance.
The Senate Inquiry has now concluded public hearings, with a parliamentary vote expected before Parliament rises in July.
For many people with disability and their families, the outcome could shape the future of Australia’s disability support system.
