How Aussies with autism could soon have a tougher time accessing the NDIS as the Albanese government considers shakeup to disability scheme
The federal government is exploring ways to improve access to the NDIS for children with autism, in a bid to reduce rising costs associated with the scheme.
The Albanian government is in discussions with the states and territories on the need for changes to the eligibility criteria for participation in the program.
The NDIS will cost taxpayers $42 billion this financial year and $90 billion by 2031.
The news comes as a new report shows the NDIS is responsible for the increasing number of Australian children diagnosed with autism.
On average, NDIS participants with autism receive $33,800 per year, with very few participants ever leaving the program.
The federal government is looking at changes to the eligibility of children with autism accessing the NDIS in a bid to tackle rising costs (stock image pictured)
All states and territories must agree to any changes to the plan, but it is understood the federal government has been exploring changes it can legislate without the support of the states, the Daily telegram reported.
At a meeting of disability ministers this month, changes to the law were discussed, including the need for ‘good legislation’ and improving services for disabled people outside the system.
National Cabinet will next month consider a review of the NDIS by academic Bruce Bonyhady and former bureaucrat Lisa Paul, commissioned by NDIS Minister Bill Shorten.
It is possible that the federal government could fund more intensive services for children with developmental delays outside the NDIS, in an attempt to reduce costs, as fewer of them would then have to participate in the program.
Mr Shorten said the government would make no further comment until the review was publicly released after the next national cabinet meeting.
“Our intention is to make the NDIS a more human, less bureaucratic experience, and we want to ensure bad service providers are dealt with quickly,” he said.
‘And the NDIS will remain committed to providing early intervention for children with severe disabilities to give them the best possible start in life, based on best practice and evidence-based support.’
NDIS Minister Bill Shorten said he would not comment further until a review was publicly released after the next national cabinet meeting
Last week, a report by academics at the ANU found a significant link between the NDIS and a rise in autism diagnoses in the country.
It found that autism diagnoses in Australian children had increased significantly over the past decade.
Australian children were diagnosed at a higher rate than Canada, the US and Britain, with the report’s author concluding the NDIS was ‘the key factor’ in the difference.
The study’s lead author, Maathu Ranjan, said the NDIS is “the key factor unique to the Australian context and potentially explains the additional growth in Australian prevalence.”
Governments have been concerned for some time about the way courts and tribunals have interpreted the definition of ‘reasonable and necessary services’ under the NDIS.
Several reports have also emerged highlighting how criminals are exploiting the scheme.
In August it was revealed that government investigators believe a string of properties worth millions were bought with money allegedly stolen from the NDIS.
Mr Shorten vowed last year to crack down on criminals plundering the subsidy program through false and grossly inflated invoices.
He said an estimated $6 billion is being siphoned off by crooks who buy into the multibillion-dollar program.