The Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), Bill Shorten, has rejected calls to allow people who are diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) to gain automatic eligibility into the support program. Instead, the minister said there are other avenues that could be explored by people who have an ADHD diagnosis. “I think…

One of the key designers of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) concedes the program is not working as intended. Bruce Bonyhady, who is helping lead a review into the scheme, said after 10 years of operation multiple challenges still needed to be addressed. “It’s inevitable when you introduce a scheme of this magnitude, which…

The Australian Greens have called the federal government’s decision to place a cap on the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) a broken promise to disabled Australians. The cap, announced on April 28 after the National Cabinet meeting, limits the growth target for the NDIS to eight percent by July 1, 2026, allowing for “further moderation”…

Australia’s National Disability Insurance Scheme is here for the long term, but the minister in charge says serious reform is essential to ensure it meets people’s needs. NDIS and Government Services Minister Bill Shorten will address the National Press Club on Tuesday to outline his plan to secure the future of the landmark disability scheme….

Deputy Leader of the Opposition Sussan Ley has criticised Labor for lacking constraints in spending following the centre-left government’s move to double the tax on superannuation earnings for balances over A$3 million. She alleged that Labor is already spending A$115 billion extra over the forward estimates and that the recent super tax changes would raise…

The National Disability Insurance Scheme is set to cost half a billion dollars more this financial year compared to estimates produced just four months ago. A Senate estimates hearing was told the scheme will cost $500 million (US$345 million) more for the 2022/23 financial year than what the government forecast in the October budget. At…

Jobseekers with disabilities will have a better path to employment through a federal government trial to connect National Disability Insurance Scheme clients with employment service providers. The pilot program to begin in 2023 aims to ensure Disability Employment Services providers work in tandem with government support systems. The NDIS employment support system and DES are…

Australian Treasurer Jim Chalmers has said that the government would improve the budget’s sustainability during the current parliamentary term despite rising public debt and government spending on welfare. Following the release of his first budget on Oct. 25, the treasurer said the government had to make hard decisions to lower budget deficits and get funding…

One economist warns that Australian policymakers will need to make tough decisions sooner or later as the latest budget papers reveal the soaring cost of ambitious social welfare programs like the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), which is predicted to exceed the cost of the defence portfolio. “They’ve got this long-term problem with trying to…

More than 15,000 Australians living with disability will be directed to better performing job providers following a major review. About six percent of the national Disability Employment Services program affecting 52 underachieving providers will be discontinued. Eight will be closed altogether. Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth said 15,550 disabled Australians will be transitioned to more…