In December 2023, the Australian Government released the long-awaited final report of the independent NDIS Review. The review, which involved consultation with tens of thousands of Australians with disability and their families, has become the foundation for the major reforms now underway. Here is a summary of what it found and what it means.
Why Was the Review Conducted?
The NDIS Review was commissioned in 2022 by the then newly elected Labor Government. It came at a time of significant concern about the scheme’s sustainability, with costs projected to grow well beyond initial estimates. But the review was equally focused on whether participants were getting good outcomes — and the findings suggested many were not.
Key Findings
The review found that the NDIS had become increasingly difficult for participants to navigate, with planning processes that were inconsistent, often adversarial, and poorly understood. It also found that the scheme was being used to fund supports that other government systems — such as health and education — should be responsible for.
For people with psychosocial disability, the review specifically noted that this group often faced additional barriers to accessing appropriate support, including difficulty demonstrating functional impairment in a system originally designed with physical disability in mind.
What the Review Recommended
The review made dozens of recommendations, including:
- A new definition of NDIS supports to clarify what the scheme funds
- An overhauled planning process that is more person-centred and consistent
- Better coordination between the NDIS and other government services (health, housing, education)
- The development of ‘Foundational Supports’ — a new tier of disability support outside the NDIS for people who do not meet the eligibility threshold
- Stronger safeguarding measures and a more responsive NDIS Commission
How the Reforms Are Responding
The October 2024 legislation was the first tranche of reform implementing review recommendations. Further changes — including work on Foundational Supports and a redesign of early intervention pathways — are expected through 2025 and 2026. The reforms represent the most significant change to the NDIS since its inception.
Staying informed about NDIS policy is part of how Azalea Care advocates for participants. If you have questions about how these changes might affect your access to support, we are here to help.