Bridging the Disconnect Between NDIS Spending Goals and Participant Needs
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) represents one of the most transformative social policies in Australian history. Its purpose is clear: to empower people with disabilities to live independently, participate fully in their communities, and achieve their personal goals. Yet, this mission is at risk of being undermined by a growing disconnect between government fiscal goals and the real, lived needs of participants.
The current government target to reduce NDIS spending from 15% to 8% of the national budget is a stark example of this tension. While framed as a necessary step toward financial sustainability, this significant reduction raises urgent questions about its impact on the individuals and families who rely on the NDIS to lead fulfilling lives. It was pitched as a positive with a target of 8% growth each year, but, in reality they need to cut from 20% growth first.
The Human Cost of Cutting NDIS Spending
For people with disabilities, the NDIS is not just a funding mechanism—it is a lifeline. It provides access to critical services, from therapies and assistive technologies to supported housing and community programs. Reducing the budget by nearly half will inevitably translate into fewer supports, longer wait times, and diminished opportunities for many participants.
Even under the current funding model, families struggle to navigate a system that feels bureaucratic and impersonal. Advocating for adequate funding is an uphill battle, with many facing plan reductions or outright denials of essential supports. A budget cut of this magnitude risks exacerbating these challenges, leaving participants and their families with even fewer resources to meet their needs.
The NDIS was designed to offer choice and control, but when funding is reduced to meet arbitrary fiscal targets, those choices become limited, and control slips further out of reach.
Percentages vs. People: The Metrics Dilemma
I know that governments rely on measurable goals to track progress and justify expenditures. Targets like workforce participation rates, reduced plan costs, or streamlined processes provide a sense of accountability. However, these metrics often fail to capture the complexity of individual lives.
For example, a government initiative might focus on increasing the percentage of participants transitioning into independent living. On paper, this appears to be a step forward. But without addressing critical barriers—such as the availability of accessible housing, transportation, and appropriate support—these numbers become hollow victories.
Similarly, a reduction in total NDIS spending might be celebrated as a fiscal achievement, but it obscures the human stories behind those numbers. Each dollar cut represents a person who will no longer receive the therapy, equipment, or care they need to survive.
Long-Term Costs of Short-Term Savings
Cost-cutting measures often prioritise immediate savings without considering the long-term consequences. Reducing funding for early intervention therapies, for example, may save money now but lead to poorer developmental outcomes for children, requiring more intensive and expensive support in the future. Quick fixes vs Human lives!
Similarly, slashing funding for supported living arrangements may force individuals into institutional care or emergency hospital stays, both of which are far more costly and less aligned with the NDIS’s principles of independence and dignity.
The ripple effects extend beyond individual participants. Families, often the primary caregivers, bear the brunt of funding shortfalls. Without adequate support, they face increased financial stress, burnout, and lost opportunities for their own personal and professional development. Then we feel the effects of the vicious cycle.
A Sustainable Path Forward
Fiscal responsibility is important, but sustainability must go hand in hand with a commitment to the people the NDIS serves. Achieving this balance requires a shift in how we measure success and allocate resources.
Metrics should prioritise participant outcomes over arbitrary percentages. Success should be defined by how well participants are supported to achieve their personal goals, not just by how many meet predefined targets.
Reducing inefficiencies in the administration of the NDIS will free up resources for frontline services. Investing in technology, simplifying plan reviews, and cutting red tape will improve both cost efficiency and participant satisfaction.
Early intervention and community-based supports are not just ethical imperatives—they are cost-effective strategies. By addressing needs early, we can reduce the demand for more intensive and expensive services down the line.
Providers and participants are uniquely positioned to identify gaps and propose solutions. No surprise then that collaborative decision-making, grounded in lived experience, ensures that reforms reflect the realities of those directly impacted.
The people most affected by these changes—participants and their families—must be actively involved in shaping the future of the NDIS. Co-designing policies and programs with the disability community ensures that their needs and aspirations are at the forefront of every decision. Not just saying its happening and getting people to agree by spin.
Bridging the Disconnect
At its core, the NDIS is a promise—a commitment to ensuring that every Australian with a disability has the opportunity to lead a life of dignity, choice, and opportunity. Reducing its budget to meet fiscal goals must not come at the expense of this vision.
As a society, we cannot afford to view the NDIS merely as a financial burden to be managed. It is an investment in people, communities, and the future. Achieving sustainability should not mean cutting corners but rather finding innovative ways to deliver support more effectively and equitably.
In the drive to balance budgets, we must not forget that behind every percentage is a person. Behind every cost-cutting measure is a family navigating the challenges of disability. Behind every target is a story of resilience, hope, and aspiration.
A Call to Action
The state & federal government from all sides, providers, and the broader community must come together to ensure that the NDIS continues to fulfil its promise. This requires bold leadership, a willingness to listen, and a steadfast commitment to putting people over percentages.
We are navigating challenging times; we must not forget the true purpose of the NDIS—not to reduce spending but to empower lives. If we lose sight of this, we risk failing not just the people we serve but the values that define us as a nation.
