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Public Consultation Opens on Proposed NDIS Access Reforms.
The Federal Government has officially opened public consultations to reshape the pathways through which individuals access the National Disability Insurance Scheme.
From Today, people with disability and the wider community are being asked to share their story, and provide feedback on proposed access changes.
Currently, the process of accessing the NDIS is confusing, inconsistent, and tough to navigate, with many individuals encountering difficulties when trying to prove the permanence of their disability or explaining exactly how it affects their daily lives.
To fix this, the new system will use a standardised approach to assess a person's functional capacity—focusing on what a person can and cannot do in their day-to-day life, rather than relying on a medical diagnosis.
This shift is part of a larger plan to strengthen the NDIS, according to Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme, Mark Butler.
“A strong and sustainable NDIS relies on people having confidence that the scheme is supporting those in our community who need it most,” “This consultation is an opportunity for people with disability and the broader community to help shape a more transparent and consistent NDIS access process. These reforms will secure the NDIS for future generations, ensuring it can continue to provide vital support to those who rely on it for decades to come.”
Mark Butler - Minister for Health
According to a press release, the consultation feedback gathered will inform the work of the Technical Advisory Group for NDIS functional capacity (TAG), an independent body which was established back in July.
The Technical Advisory Group has been tasked with delivering evidence-based advice to governments to strengthen NDIS access decisions, with Mr Butler and ACT Minister for Disability, Carers and Community Services, Ms Suzanne Orr MLA, serving as the panel’s two leaders.
Ms Orr believes community input is at the heart of the advisory group's work.
“To make sure their advice is practical and grounded in real-world experiences, the group is calling on people with disability, their families, carers, advocates, service providers, and healthcare professionals to speak up and share their perspectives,” she says.
Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme, Senator Jenny McAllister, agrees, claiming that the best policies are built by those with lived experience.
“The best reforms are shaped by the people they affect, and this consultation is an opportunity to do just that. I want to hear from people with disability on how they want the proposed changes to look and operate. Their input is invaluable.”
The consultation is open to everyone. You can share your thoughts online by visiting consultations.health.gov.au before October 2 2026.