On 27 March 2024, major reforms to the National Disability Insurance (NDIS) Bill, have been introduced to parliament by Minister for the NDIS Bill Shorten.
The National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Getting the NDIS Back on Track No 1) Bill 2024 is based on the recommendations of the NDIS Review.
The Bill provides governments, and the disability community, with a framework to start improving the scheme for NDIS participants. Reforms in the Bill include:
- taking a whole of person approach to participant support needs
- improving service quality and safeguards
- reforming participant pathways onto the NDIS and working towards a unified system of support for people with disability.
Bill Shorten MP highlighted that reforms would not happen overnight. "Review recommendations will take years to implement. "There will be a significant piece of work to collaborate with people with disability the reforms and we are seeking the lived experience of the disability community as we continue to strengthen the Scheme together. "We have released this bill to be transparent".
This Bill is a significant step towards implementing the agreement of National Cabinet to return the NDIS to its original intent and create a thriving ecosystem of disability supports across Australia.
Minister Shorten said this legislation builds on the $130 million the Australian Government has invested this year to support co-design and consultation and there remains an enormous amount of work to do to implement the reforms together.
