AFDO responds to Minister’s NDIS address: “Reform must not leave people with disability without support”

The Australian Federation of Disability Organisations (AFDO) has responded to the Minister’s National Press Club address, warning that the proposed scale and sequencing of NDIS reforms carries significant risk if not carefully designed and implemented.

“This is not a marginal adjustment to the NDIS. These are major structural changes,” said AFDO Chair Grant Lindsay.

“The Government is proposing to redesign access to the NDIS before the alternative systems of support are built or proven. That is a risk no one should accept.”

AFDO Chief Executive Officer Ross Joyce said key elements of the reform agenda remain unresolved, particularly the “Thriving Kids” approach and Foundational Supports.

“Both are central to the future of the NDIS, yet neither is fully designed, agreed with all States and Territories, or ready to deliver,” Mr Joyce said.

“At present, both Thriving Kids and Foundational Supports are a concept, not a functioning system. It cannot justify removing access to the NDIS.”

Mr Joyce said clear safeguards must guide reform.

“No eligibility changes should proceed without guaranteed, equivalent supports in place,” he said.

“People with disability cannot be asked to trust in supports that do not yet exist.”

AFDO acknowledged the Minister’s commitment to develop eligibility and assessment changes with people with disability and their representative organisations.

“That commitment must be real and it must shape decisions from the outset,” Mr Joyce said.

“Functional assessments must reflect the complexity of people’s lives. Done badly, they will exclude people who still need significant support.”

AFDO also warned that a lack of agreement with States and Territories risks inconsistent access.

“This is a national scheme. Without national consistency, we risk a postcode lottery,” Mr Lindsay said.

The organisation raised concern about potential reductions in social and community participation supports.

“These supports are fundamental to inclusion, not optional,” Mr Lindsay said.

AFDO supported action on fraud and system integrity but said reforms must target provider behaviour, not restrict participants.

AFDO also called for independent oversight of planning and reassessment decisions and greater transparency on outcomes.

“We need to measure whether the NDIS is improving lives, not just reducing costs,” Mr Joyce said.

AFDO said it remains ready to work constructively with governments but stressed that sequencing is critical.

“You build the new system first, then change the old one,” Mr Lindsay said.

“The risk is simple: people fall out of the NDIS and into nothing. That must be prevented