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Standfirst

NDIS change enters implementation phase

Labor now believes it has a clear (political) pathway for reforming the NDIS.

The government published its implementation timetable and added Auslan explanations of the Bill and the amendments made in the House. The information makes the scale of the transfer of power clear. This isn’t housekeeping; it dramatically alters how people enter, how much support they receive and how decisions are made.

Amendments constitute safeguards. They introduce protections, particularly for people in hospital, institutions or homeless. If approved, an independent review would examine participant outcomes in 2029.

But the accountability gap remains. Disability leaders used the National Press Club this week to argue that the scheme could be repaired without cutting support. Mark Butler rejected the case for a disability-system inspector-general. That leaves government designing, administering and policing a much more powerful system.

The economic argument also became harder to simplify. Australia Institute analysis estimated the reforms would reduce funding by up to 12 per cent by the end of the decade. Its proposed alternative — a 25 per cent tax on gas exports — was intended to show savings are a political choice, not unavoidable.

Separate e61 modelling reached a different but equally uncomfortable conclusion: a pension-style means test could remove about 40 per cent of participants while cutting expenditure by only 12 per cent, with most savings coming from children.

About 37,000 participants use supported living which costs more than $16 billion a year. Reforming this market may improve quality but could destroy participant choice. Means testing is another possibility.

Data Watch

Government publishes Auslan guides to the NDIS Bill and House amendments

The Department added two Auslan videos explaining the proposed NDIS legislation. One summarises the Bill’s access, planning, budget, provider, pricing and automation measures; the other covers House amendments.

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

Older people with MND gain priority under Support at Home

Older people whose Motor Neurone Disease diagnosis is recorded during an aged-care assessment now receive priority access to ongoing Support at Home funding and immediate priority for assistive technology and home modifications. People diagnosed after assessment who are waiting for funding should contact My Aged Care for reassessment; those unsure whether MND was recorded should check with their assessment organisation.

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

Disability included in $150 million health-inequities research mission

The Medical Research Future Fund will invest $150 million over 10 years from 2027–28 in research aimed at reducing health inequities for priority populations, including people with disability. Consultation on a draft roadmap and implementation plan opens on 19 August and closes on 25 September.

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

PWDA survey seeks priorities for the Inclusive Communities Fund

People with Disability Australia is asking people with disability to help shape its submission on the proposed $200 million, three-year Inclusive Communities Fund. The five-to-ten-minute survey asks which community activities matter, what blocks participation, what support would improve access and how people with disability should be involved in decisions. Responses can be quoted anonymously in PWDA’s submission.

Source: People with Disability Australia | national disability rights and advocacy organisation

Previous-run recovery — OTs asked to document NDIS pressures and advocate on Thriving Kids

Occupational Therapy Australia’s 2026 NDIS Provider Survey closes on 23 August and asks practitioners how the Scheme affects them and participants. OTA is also urging members to contact MPs, arguing occupational therapists should be explicitly included in Thriving Kids and that continuity of care and family choice must be protected. The update was published on 12 August and recovered from the immediately preceding search window.

Source: Occupational Therapy Australia | professional association

Melbourne guide lists ten NDIS support coordinators

A sponsored Independent Australia guide lists ten Melbourne support-coordination services and advises participants to compare registration, coordinator experience, availability, communication, fees, cancellation terms and local coverage. The article does not state a comparative methodology, testing process or evidentiary basis for calling the providers the “best”, so the list should be treated as promotional information rather than an independent recommendation.

Source: Independent Australia | sponsored content in original production

‘This cannot have been for nothing’: NDIS report due

The Canberra Times carries an AAP report warning that disability organisations want the Senate committee’s final report to reflect evidence given during its inquiry. CYDA says the Bill should not proceed without high-quality alternative supports, while Disability Advocacy Network Australia warns the proposed legislation risks foreseeable harm.

Source: The Canberra Times | Paywall: Likely

BCA Plus operator’s multimillion-dollar collapse triggers probe into business sale

The Advertiser reports the company behind Adelaide disability-services provider BCA Plus has entered liquidation, prompting an investigation into the sale of the business. Its public preview says the company had accumulated more than $2.2 million in unpaid tax. Summary based on the visible public preview only.

Source: The Advertiser | Paywall: Yes

Calls for NDIS means test despite federal government ruling it out

AUDIO/COMMENTARY — 2GB presenter Michael McLaren argues means-testing should remain part of the NDIS cost debate following modelling by e61. Mark Butler rejected the idea, saying it would not materially reduce expenditure, but McLaren contends public funding should not cover supports individuals can afford themselves.

Source: 2GB | Paywall: No

Mum on sex charge could have worked with kids in NDIS for 9 months before watchdog issued ban

The NDIS Commission banned behavioural support practitioner Wendy Anne Hewetson in February 2026, almost nine months after she was charged with indecent treatment of a child under 12.

Source: The Courier-Mail | Paywall: Yes

Former disability carer worker Adam Mason jailed for nine months for sexual assault of two vulnerable clients

Adam Mason was jailed for nine months and given a two-year community corrections order after pleading guilty to five sexual offences against two women with cognitive impairment whom he supported. The court described the offending as a serious breach of trust.

Source: news.com.au | Paywall: Unknown