Today, the Australian Government is taking a significant step towards improving the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) with the introduction of the National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Getting the NDIS Back on Track No. 1) Bill 2024. This legislation will address key recommendations from the Independent Review of the NDIS and focus on access, plans, budget settings, and quality and safety.
Minister for the NDIS Bill Shorten MP emphasized that these reforms will not happen overnight and will require collaboration with people with disabilities. The Government has engaged in extensive consultations with the disability sector to ensure that the NDIS can continue to provide life-changing outcomes for Australians with disabilities.
The Bill will enhance the powers of the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission to protect participants from illegal conduct and strengthen safeguards within the Scheme. It also marks the beginning of a co-design and consultation process with the disability community to update NDIS Rules and legislative instruments.
Minister Shorten highlighted the Government’s commitment to working closely with people with disabilities, their families, careers, and representative organizations to ensure that these reforms are implemented effectively. It aims to return the NDIS to its original purpose and build a sustainable and thriving ecosystem of disability support across Australia.
This legislation is just the beginning of a comprehensive reform process that will put participants back at the heart of the NDIS and ensure that every dollar in the Scheme goes towards those it was intended to support. The Australian Government is dedicated to driving change and delivering positive outcomes for current and future NDIS participants through transparent and collaborative decision-making processes.
As Minister Shorten stated, the perspectives of people with disabilities must be central to the implementation of these reforms. The Government is committed to listening to and working with the disability community to ensure that the NDIS continues to support participants for generations to come.
