NDIS inquiry extended as disability advocates warn against “dangerous” cuts

The Albanese government and the Greens have agreed to delay the Senate committee’s final report until August 14, after more than 4,000 public submissions raised serious concerns about the future of the scheme

Disability advocates have welcomed an eight-week extension to the parliamentary inquiry examining the federal government’s controversial reforms to the National Disability Insurance Scheme.

The Senate committee was due to deliver its final report, but an agreement between the Albanese government and the Greens has moved the deadline to August 14, 2026.

The decision follows strong criticism from disability organisations, which argued that the original timetable was far too short for legislation that could produce the most significant changes to the NDIS since the scheme was established.

More than 4,000 submissions received

The inquiry received more than 4,000 public submissions, despite consultation being open for only a little more than two weeks.

Across three days of public hearings, people with disability, families, healthcare professionals, service providers and advocacy organisations expressed serious concerns about the possible consequences of the proposed overhaul.

Officials told the inquiry that more than 200,000 people could be removed from the NDIS over four years, generating estimated federal savings of about $38 billion.

Taleporos: “The process was ridiculous and disrespectful”

George Taleporos, chair of advocacy group Every Australian Counts, said the extension would finally allow the bill to receive the scrutiny it should have been given from the beginning.

He described the decision to give people with disability and their families only two weeks to respond to a bill that could reshape the future of the NDIS as “ridiculous and disrespectful”.

Taleporos warned that the legislation posed serious risks to essential supports and could cause real harm to vulnerable participants.

Interim report backs the legislation

The Labor-led committee released an interim report recommending that the bill be passed, while also calling for further clarification and a clearer roadmap for the implementation of the changes.

Coalition senators did not make specific recommendations but criticised the government’s lack of transparency.

They called for stronger guarantees about how the safety and welfare of people affected by the reforms would be protected.

Greens and independents raise concerns

The Greens and independent senator David Pocock issued dissenting comments, raising concerns about the expansion of ministerial powers and the use of automated decision-making.

They also warned that some of the changes could have a disproportionate impact on women with disability.

Under the agreement with the government, several amendments were secured, including limits on ministerial powers and greater transparency around automated decisions.

Despite those concessions, the Greens have confirmed that they will continue to oppose the bill.

Advocates demand genuine consultation

Sophie Cusworth, chief executive of Women with Disability Australia, said the additional eight weeks must be used for genuine consultation rather than minor amendments.

She said the central question was whether the reforms would make it more difficult for people with disability to access the support they need to live safely and independently.

Advocacy groups are particularly concerned that participants could be transferred to state and territory services that are not yet properly funded or prepared to replace the support currently provided by the NDIS.

Autism advocates warn against rushed reform

Jenny Karavolos, co-chair of the Australian Autism Alliance, said it was better to spend another eight weeks getting the reform right than to spend the next decade correcting avoidable mistakes.

She argued that the extension should not be used only to review the legislation.

The government, she said, must also demonstrate that the alternative systems people will rely on are fully operational and ready to provide appropriate support.

The greatest concern is that people removed from the scheme could be left without adequate assistance during the transition.

Government defends its reform package

Federal minister Mark Butler has maintained that the proposed changes represent “the right package” for the future of the NDIS.

The government argues that reform is necessary to slow the rapid growth in spending, tackle fraud and restore public confidence in the scheme.

The NDIS now costs more than $50 billion a year and supports more than 774,000 participants.

Annual growth has fallen from 22 per cent when Labor was elected in 2022 to 11.3 per cent, but National Cabinet has agreed to limit future growth to at least 5 to 6 per cent.

Butler has warned that delaying the legislation for 12 months could result in the loss of $17 billion in projected savings.

“Big change needs to happen”

The minister acknowledged that the reforms were significant and confronting for participants, but rejected claims that people could die because of the overhaul.

Butler said the government would use the next eight weeks to improve negotiations with states and territories and address what he described as misunderstandings surrounding the legislation.

The states will play a central role in supporting people who are no longer considered eligible for the NDIS.

New pricing caps add to sector concerns

The debate over the reforms has been accompanied by fresh controversy over the maximum prices service providers will be allowed to charge.

The latest annual pricing review has frozen the hourly rate for occupational therapists at $193.99.

Caps for speech pathologists and physiotherapists have also been frozen.

Psychologists will receive a $20 increase, bringing their maximum hourly rate to $252.99, while dietitians will face a $10 reduction to $178.99 an hour.

Fears professionals will leave the scheme

Occupational Therapy Australia described the pricing freeze as a potential “national health emergency in the making”.

The organisation warned that rising operating costs could push clinicians out of the NDIS, reducing access to essential services for people with disability.

National Disability Services has also raised concerns, noting that some therapy prices have not increased for seven consecutive years.

The peak body warned that financial pressure could force quality providers to reduce services or withdraw from the scheme entirely.

Eight crucial weeks for the future of the NDIS

The new August 14 deadline gives the government an opportunity to listen more carefully to people directly affected by the reforms and explain what support will be available to those who lose access to the NDIS.

Disability organisations argue that financial sustainability cannot be achieved at the expense of participants’ independence, health and safety.

Reform of the NDIS may be unavoidable, but the way it is implemented will determine whether the scheme becomes more sustainable or whether thousands of Australians are left without the assistance they need.

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