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The Australian Government is considering a complete re-vamp of Supported Independent Living, a change which would radically reform how the NDIS’s most intensive supports are bought and funded.

The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing opened a ‘consultation’ yesterday into possible ‘commissioning’ arrangements for those who need 24-hour support. Government would do more than just set rules and prices: it could help plan services, select or contract providers, direct funding and monitor delivery. Submissions close on 13 September, with advice expected late this year.

The problem is real. The consultation paper points to safety and quality failures, weak provider viability and thin markets — especially in regional and remote areas. Commissioning would give government leverage to fill gaps. It would also narrow the providers available to a participant and who enters their home.

Choice and control will be one of the consultation’s central tests.

Data Watch: About 37,000 participants receive supported independent living, at an annual government cost of more than $16 billion. This spending reflects both the complexity of support, but also means a changed purchasing model would radically affect this group of participants.

A separate e61 Institute analysis released on 12 August shows why reform needs to be judged by their human effects as well as headline savings. Its modelling found a pension-style income test could remove about 40 per cent of participants while cutting spending by only 12 per cent. Most savings would come from children.

The Commonwealth is seeking views on whether it should take a more active role in planning, funding, delivering and monitoring part of the Supported Independent Living market. The consultation covers safety, quality, participant choice, thin markets and provider viability. No model has been selected. Submissions are open until 13 September 2026.

Source: Department of Health, Disability and Ageing — NDIS reform: Have your say on the future of Supported Independent Living

Three banning orders took effect at 5pm on 12 August. The NDIS Commission banned Adama Oumar Sy and Belinda Jane Guppy for three years, and Silas Leonard Michael Alfred Charles Haines permanently. The orders, made on 5 August, cite criminal history. They prevent the named people from providing NDIS supports or services.

Sources: NDIS Commission orders for Adama Oumar Sy, Belinda Jane Guppy and Silas Leonard Michael Alfred Charles Haines

Transport for NSW has published a Disability Action Plan for 2026–2028 covering recruitment, workplace adjustments, accessible systems, career development and accountability. Its recorded workforce disability representation was 4.1 per cent in June 2026, against a NSW public-sector target of 5.6 per cent by 2028. A separate employee survey recorded 6 per cent, indicating a disclosure gap.

Sources: Transport for NSW — Disability Action Plan, our plan, and commitment and direction

An e61 Institute model estimates that a pension-style NDIS income test would remove about 40 per cent of participants but reduce 2023–24 spending by about $4.5 billion, or 12 per cent. It says 87 per cent of adult spending already goes to Disability Support Pension recipients, while $3.5 billion of the estimated savings would come from children. The authors exclude behavioural effects and overlap with Thriving Kids.

Source: e61 Institute — Means-testing the NDIS: Fiscal and distributional effects

MND Australia will hold a free webinar on 26 August from noon to 1.30pm AEST. It will cover NDIS access, supporting evidence, planning and adapting a plan as needs change. The panel includes an NDIA representative discussing priority pathways, a clinician, MND advisers and people with lived experience. Registration is required.

Source: MND Australia — Webinar: Navigating the NDIS

Guardian Australia — 13 August 2026 — Paywall: No

The Coalition’s housing spokesperson, Andrew Bragg, has proposed making accessibility and energy provisions in the National Construction Code optional as part of a plan to cut the code from about 2,000 pages to 80. ACOSS chief executive Cassandra Goldie says optional standards would shift long-term costs to residents and deepen inequality by producing homes that are less accessible and less efficient.

Health Services Daily — 12 August 2026 — Paywall: Yes

The report presents the e61 modelling as support for Health Minister Mark Butler’s argument that means-testing would not substantially change NDIS spending. Its public preview highlights that roughly four-fifths of the modelled savings would come from children. Summary based on the visible public preview only.

Australian Financial Review — 12 August 2026 — Paywall: Yes

The report uses the e61 findings to describe why a conventional means test has limited reach into adult NDIS spending. Its public preview says more than half of scheme spending goes to about 10 per cent of participants, most of whom have low incomes. Summary based on the visible public preview only.

Australian Financial Review — 12 August 2026 — Paywall: Yes

The AFR editorial view argues the modelled $4.5 billion saving still makes means-testing a useful part of broader NDIS cost control, despite its limited effect on adult expenditure. It notes the researchers’ estimate that $1 billion of savings would come from adults and $3.5 billion from children. Summary based on the visible public preview only.

ABC News — 12 August 2026 — Paywall: No

An employment program run by Settlement Services International says it placed 230 of 1,480 clients into work during its first eight months, with about 35 later leaving those roles. The Department of Social Services says Inclusive Employment Australia is supporting about 51,000 people with disability in work, including 1,900 refugees. Researcher Sue Olney says the early results are encouraging but sustainability and scale are not yet clear.

ABC News — 12 August 2026 — Paywall: No

Prosecutors have dropped criminal-neglect charges against two former directors of the NDIS provider that employed Ann Marie Smith’s carer. Amy June Collins pleaded guilty to a category-one reckless-conduct offence concerning exposure to a risk of serious injury; all charges against Alison Maree Virgo were withdrawn.