- Advocacy & Rights
- Policy & Legislation
Inclusion Australia says NDIA safeguards fail people with intellectual disability
Key points5 points
- The NDIA told Senate Estimates it is proactively contacting participants with 24-hour support needs and plans over $215,303 to offer a plan variation pathway to high-support protections.
- Inclusion Australia says the safeguards will still leave many people with intellectual disability who need 24-hour support without essential NDIS supports.
- Inclusion Australia is asking for data on how many people have been identified, how many contacted, and how the NDIA ensures no one is missed.
- The peak body argues the absence of complaints data should not be read as the absence of problems, and that families should not have to self-advocate to access safeguards.
- Providers supporting participants with intellectual disability and complex needs should expect families to face difficult decisions about which supports continue under recent NDIS changes.
Summary
Inclusion Australia has pushed back on assurances from the NDIA and the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing given at Senate Estimates about protecting people with intellectual disability and complex support needs.
The NDIA said it is proactively contacting participants with 24-hour support needs and plans above $215,303 who are expected to qualify for high-support protections. The peak body argues these safeguards will still leave many people who need 24-hour support without essential NDIS funding, and that families already stretching budgets have no spare capacity to absorb cuts. It is calling for transparency on how many people have been identified and contacted, and what happens to those without plans above the threshold.