NDIS reform must deliver independence--not just savings
Physical Disability Australia
Physical Disability Australia CEO, Suzanne Gearing, is calling for faster plan decisions and safeguards for essential supports, following the NDIA Annual Report 2025–26. “This report shows equipment and daily supports can transform lives. But delays, inaccessible services and changing funding rules risk leaving people with physical disability without the support they need, when they need it.”
She highlights the report’s Scheme-wide results highlight the pressure points:
- Slow decisions: in quarter four, just 32% of participant-requested reassessment decisions met the 21-day timeframe. Only 48% of internal reviews met the 60-day timeframe.
- Experience below target: overall participant satisfaction was 62.9%, against a 76% target.
- Barriers beyond funding: social and community engagement reached 40.1%, below the 43% target, with transport, provider availability and infrastructure gaps identified as barriers.
Funding periods and stronger evidence requirements for self-managed claims also warrant scrutiny. Their implementation must protect continuity of personal assistance, therapy and equipment access.
“Projected savings are not proof of better outcomes” NOTES Ms Gearing. “The report does not establish that every participant’s funding will be cut. The test for reform must be whether it preserves safety, choice and independence.”
Physical Disability Australia is calling for:
- Timely reassessments and reviews when needs change.
- Uninterrupted access to essential equipment, therapy and personal assistance.
- Measures of real accessibility and independence—not just administrative outputs.
- Physical-disability-specific reporting to close the evidence gap.
The headline figures are Scheme-wide; they do not show specifically how people with physical disability are faring.
A funded plan is only a promise until people can access the supports it provides.
About us:
Physical Disability Australia supports an evidence-based Annual Pricing Review, but pricing reform must be judged by its effect on participants’ access, safety, choice and purchasing power. For people with physical disability, particularly those with high and complex daily support needs, price settings determine whether essential support hours, skilled workers, therapy, accessible accommodation and continuity of care remain available.
