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Perhaps aware an election will fall due at a time many children could be kicked off the NDIS, Mark Butler is now guaranteeing they will remain eligible until the end of 2027.

In an ABC Perth interview, the Health Minister said young children enrolled in the NDIS by the end of 2027 would be able to remain. Thriving Kids will not become the route for new young entrants until January 2028.

That is more than a timetable detail. Families had been told the new program would be fully operating before access changes began, but not always whether children already inside the scheme would be moved. Butler now describes an effective grandfathering arrangement: current young participants, and those admitted during the next 16 months, stay.

The NDIA’s implementation page now says changes begin in January 2028 with existing participants reassessed over three years.

Thriving Kids is meant to start in October and reach full scale over 15 months - except in Queensland, which is still refusing to host the scheme.

Data Watch: Butler said Western Australia, with about one-tenth of the national population, would account for roughly one-tenth of the projected 160,000 people kicked off the scheme, or about 16,000.

Young participants: Disability and NDIS Minister Mark Butler says children enrolled in the NDIS by the end of 2027 will be able to remain, with Thriving Kids serving new young entrants from January 2028. He says all jurisdictions except Queensland have implementation plans and services will build from 1 October over 15 months.

Source: Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing | Ministerial interview transcript

Advocacy extended: NDIS Minister Jenny McAllister has announced $12 million to extend 12 Disability Representative Organisations Program grants to 30 June 2028. The organisations represent constituencies including children, First Nations people, women and culturally and linguistically diverse people during the disability reform process.

Source: Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing | Ministerial media release

Registration revoked: The NDIS Commission revoked Tier 1 Care Pty Ltd’s registration from 5pm on 25 August, preventing the Ingleburn provider from operating as a registered NDIS provider. The Commission says an audit found major non-conformities with practice standards which the company was alleged to have failed to rectify.

Source: NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission | Compliance and enforcement action

Isolation evidence: The Summer Foundation reviewed more than 200 initiatives addressing social isolation and found fewer than 20 met the criteria, with only a small number publishing evidence of outcomes. Transport, communication and cost assumptions often excluded people with high support needs.

Source: Summer Foundation | Environmental scan

Auslan access: Blind Citizens Australia’s current bulletin says the agency is preparing to launch Auslan Connect, a video-chat service for people who use Auslan. The bulletin says the National Contact Centre is recruiting fluent Auslan staff and describes the service as an Australian Government first.

Source: Blind Citizens Australia | NDIA sector update relay

Broadcast life: Blind Citizens Australia’s New Horizons podcast profiles Melbourne broadcaster and podcaster Dean Coulder. The interview also follows his involvement in blind cricket and his current role as president of the Victorian Swish Club.

Source: Blind Citizens Australia | PODCAST

NDIS changes spark concern over future of disability support

The Wire reports on the newly passed NDIS legislation, placing the government’s fraud and expenditure case alongside concern about the future of disability support. The community-radio treatment is a distinct current account of the reform’s practical stakes.

Source: The Wire | Paywall: No

Bega Valley Council Adopts New Disability Inclusion Action Plan

The Fold reports that Bega Valley Shire Council has adopted a four-year Disability Inclusion Action Plan, setting practical actions across council services, facilities and operations.

Source: The Fold | Paywall: No

The gallery helping neurodivergent artists bridge gaps in the art world

ABC News profiles autistic artist Maya Tamang’s first solo exhibition and Jump Left’s one-to-one help with artist statements, applications and gallery administration, showing how practical support can open a professional arts pathway.

Source: ABC News | Paywall: No