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For the seventh consecutive year, the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) has refused to increase prices for Support Coordination and Plan Management services, despite rising costs and increasing workloads for providers. Advocates warn that the cuts threaten to leave thousands of participants without critical assistance

"When you lose the therapy that keeps you mobile, or the coordination support that keeps your life running, it doesn't really matter whether you're technically still on the scheme – you're functionally shut out," said Craig Wallace, Head of Policy at Advocacy for Inclusion.

Warning participants are "falling through the cracks without a safety net", Wallace is calling on the government to stop plan, eligibility and support reductions "until the new foundational system is in place."

According to industry figures more than 600 Support Coordination providers have already closed since July 2024.

Provider Exodus Accelerating

Jess Harper, CEO of Disability Intermediaries Australia (DIA), Australia’s peak body for non-government Intermediary service organisations, described the situation as "reckless, gutless, and downright damaging."

"Over the last six years, the NDIA has in real terms cut the price of Support Coordinators and Plan Managers by more than 25%," Harper says. "That's not reform. That's demolition."

Harper questions how providers are expected to "keep the lights on while cutting off the power," contrasting this with the Prime Minister's recent announcement of a 3.5% wage increase for award wage workers.

“We’re seeing a degradation of the sector that pulls it apart,” Harper argued. “What that means from a demolition perspective is we’ve seen 600 quality providers close their doors because they’re unviable.

Today’s Briefs are a special issue concerning issues faced by older Australians as they leave the NDIS. Because of a technical issue we are unable to bring you today’s Wrap.