Federal budget delivers to get NDIS ‘back on track’

The Albanese Government has committed its support for people living with disability in its inaugural federal budget this week.

The Albanese Government has committed its support for people living with disability in its inaugural federal budget this week.

Among a suite of measures announced Tuesday evening, the budget allocates an additional $385 million in 2023-24 to resource the National Disability Insurance Agency to deliver the National Disability Insurance Scheme.

An additional $160 million will be spent increasing staffing levels by 380 full-time workers, most of whom will work on frontline service delivery of the NDIS.

“With people with disability at the helm, the government is repairing the scheme by lifting the arbitrary cap on staff and ensuring the NDIA has the resources it needs to support participants,” said Minister for the NDIS Bill Shorten.

Further resourcing of the NDIA to administer the NDIS will be informed by a review when it reports next year.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers delivers his first budget speech to parliament

At a cost of $18 million, the government has also ordered a review into the design of the NDIS, as well as its operations and sustainability, raising the possibility of major changes to come.

Describing the scheme as “arguably Australia’s best addition to the social framework of Australian society in the 21st century,” Mr Shorten said years of Coalition neglect had left it “not in the position which I think Australians would like to see it in.”

The review – in collaboration with participants, their families and carers, as well as providers – will also consider the responsiveness of the NDIS workforce in delivering quality services.

Other commitments

Treasurer Jim Chalmers’ maiden budget also provides $137.7 million to establish a taskforce to strengthen fraud detection and better safeguard the NDIS from organised crime and false claimants, amid warnings the scheme could cost more than $50 billion annually within four years.

“Labor’s announcement of a cross-agency Fraud Fusion Taskforce will help defend the scheme from crooks and help to deliver our pledge to crack down on fraudsters,” said Mr Shorten.

More than $19 million has been allotted to reform the Disability Employment Services program, with further work proceeding on a potential new model based on consultation processes that concluded earlier this year. As well, the government will shortly open stakeholder consultation on overhauling the Disability Services Act.

Meanwhile, just over $12 million has been set aside to trial an Independent Expert Review Program to help resolve the backlog of appeals currently before the Administrative Appeals Tribunal – an additional $6 million is earmarked for a dispute resolution pilot program with an aim of helping NDIS participants resolve complaints more speedily.

Labor’s first federal budget in nine years also allocates $11 million to advocacy organisations to ensure the voices of people with disability are reflected in government systems, policies and services.

Additional funding of $21 million will go towards the NDIS Appeals program to help advocacy groups support people seeking a review of NDIS decisions.

Federal budget funding also extends to the National Autism Strategy which will be developed to support a coordinated approach between all levels of government and service areas. There’s funding, too, for the Autism Cooperative Research Centre.

At a glance:

  • $385 million to resource NDIA
  • $158.2 million over four years to boost NDIA workforce
  • $137.7 million over four years to establish fraud taskforce
  • $11.2 million to support advocacy organisations
  • $21.2 million over three years for an appeals program
  • $12.4 million to trial an Independent Expert Review Program
  • $5.3 million towards the National Autism Strategy

“Delivering these important election commitments shows the Albanese Government will not waver on its promise to get the NDIS back on track,” said Mr Shorten.

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Tags: bill shorten, featured, federal budget, jim chalmers, NDIA, ndis,

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