New data shows reform to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) continues to stabilise costs.
The NDIS Quarterly Report (March 2025) published on the NDIS website puts Scheme expenses for the first nine months of 2024-25 at $34.2 billion - $740 million lower than projections in June 2024.
The result consolidates a trend of moderating cost growth - in the 2023-24 financial year, Scheme expenses were some $600 million lower than the estimate contained in last year's Commonwealth Budget.
The Quarterly Report shows annual costs growth at the end of March was 10.6% - lower than the annual growth rate of 12% forecast in the NDIS Annual Financial Sustainability Report.
The continued improvement keeps the Scheme on track to achieve the financial stabilisation target set by National Cabinet of 8 per cent growth in Scheme costs by 1 July 2026. In 2021-22, the growth rate was 22 per cent.
While the stabilisation of costs remains encouraging, the data shows continued work is needed to further ensure the Scheme's ongoing sustainability.
The NDIS has undertaken a campaign to support participants to spend within their plans and only on approved NDIS Supports.
A key change introduced last October provided participants with detailed lists of what items could be claimed as a NDIS support and what items could not be claimed as a NDIS support.
