Almost 145,000 Australians will lose support for autism under NDIS reforms, documents reveal
Summary
The Australian government plans to narrow the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) to focus on people with serious and complex disabilities. This change may remove almost 145,000 people with autism or developmental delays from the program by 2031, mostly children under 18, as part of efforts to control the scheme’s growing costs.Key Facts
- The NDIS currently supports about 600,000 people but is expected to reduce to this number by removing 241,000 participants by 2031.
- Nearly 145,000 of those who may lose support have autism or developmental delays as their main disability.
- Most affected people will be 18 years old or younger, making up about two-thirds of those removed.
- The scheme’s cost is predicted to more than double from $52 billion a year to $117 billion in 10 years if changes are not made.
- The government aims to slow the program’s growth rate from 23% in 2021-22 to under 2% over the next four years.
- Changes include a new test called the functional capacity test to decide who can access support.
- The Thriving Kids program will start in October to provide some support for children with mild delays who lose NDIS funding.
- The government says the NDIS is only for people with significant and permanent disabilities and that others may get help from community or other services.
Read the Full Article
This is a fact-based summary from The Actual News. Click below to read the complete story directly from the original source.
