The abilityNEWS Daily
UpDate
Auditor-General puts NDIS reform, prices and restrictive practices under the microscope
The Australian National Audit Office identifies three potential audits of the NDIS for the coming year: reform design; pricing arrangements; and oversight of restrictive practices.
Three further topics are also flagged: critical incidents; compensation recovery; and the NDIA’s procurement and contract management.
The ANAO has three audits under way: the program; the Fraud Fusion Taskforce; and market stewardship. It classifies the NDIA as high-risk and notes that none of the seven NDIS performance audits conducted between 2021–22 and 2025–26 received an unqualified conclusion.
Meanwhile, a new Flinders University analysis found no significant narrowing of the inequality gap between young people with and without disability across 29 measures between 2001 and 2023. If correct, this means there has been virtually no progress whatsoever over the past two decades, despite the NDIS.
The study found only 11 per cent of young people with disability were actually NDIS participants in 2023. This suggests the problems are bigger than the scheme itself and that its operation isn’t addressing the real issues. Nevertheless, it also means restricting the Scheme without fixing education, employment, health, housing and community systems will not resolve disability inequality.
That would simply move responsibility elsewhere without moving the support.
Data Watch: According to Powerd’s report on the research, none of 29 the measured gaps narrowed significantly over 22 years.
Gov Info
Commission updates mandatory registration guide
The Commission’s provider-registration page is marked updated on 22 July; its current guidance says supported independent living and NDIS digital platform services must be provided by registered providers.
Integrity and safeguarding law hub links accessible NDIS information
The department’s 2026 NDIS Act amendments page is marked updated on 22 July and currently links Easy Read and Auslan explainers, NDIA measures fact sheets and the NDIS Commission’s consultation report on the Integrity and Safeguarding Act.
Easy Read collection explains three NDIA processes
A collection published on 22 July brings together Easy Read fact sheets on leaving the NDIS, electronic claims forms and plan variations under the Integrity and Safeguarding Act.
Hearing providers reminded to preserve signed claim records
The department says Hearing Services Program providers must retain complete signed claim forms, transfer copies with client files and ensure records remain accessible after software changes or risk repayment.
The Briefing
Disability equity gap remains fixed after 23 years
Flinders University researchers comparing young Australians aged 15–29 found little change in the inequality experienced by people with disability between 2001 and 2023. Analysis of 29 education, employment, health, economic and social indicators found that, while some outcomes improved for everyone, young people with disability did not catch up with their peers. The researchers say governments should measure whether inequality is narrowing—not simply whether outcomes are improving in isolation.
Source: Research at Flinders University
NDIS Bill changes still leave people with Down syndrome exposed
Down Syndrome Australia says revised explanatory material now gives clearer recognition to employment and 24-hour supports but safeguards remain inadequate, while confirming Senate hearings in Canberra on 30–31 July and Perth on 6 August ahead of the inquiry’s 14 August report.
Source: Down Syndrome Australia
QDN assembles the latest disability policy campaigns, consultations and resources
Queenslanders With Disability Network’s 22 July policy digest covers the NDIS Technical Advisory Group and First Nations Connect, accessible Census material, brain-injury employment research, CYDA transition resources, an intellectual-disability health report, the Every Australian Counts campaign and a lived-experience psychosocial-support project.
MS Australia wants a voice in the rapid medicines review
MS Australia has welcomed the government’s rapid review of MS medicines and says it expects to participate so continued affordable access to Ocrevus, Kesimpta and other effective treatments, better PBS processes and the interests of people living with MS remain central.
Source: MS Australia
Housing system locks people with disability out
New AHURI research finds 61 per cent of lower-income Disability Support Pension recipients experience housing stress and only 0.1 per cent of private rentals are affordable to them, calling for people with disability to become a named Housing Australia Future Fund priority, better accessibility information, greater release of NDIA data and wider access to Specialist Disability Accommodation.
Easy Read recipes make healthy meals more accessible
Dietitians Australia has published six recipes as Easy English accessible documents, covering chilli-and-lime tuna, guacamole, herby potatoes, a nourish bowl, spicy beans and watermelon pizza.
Source: Dietitians Australia
Connection breaks the isolation surrounding dementia
Dementia Australia tells how Amanda concealed her mother’s worsening symptoms through years of misdiagnosis before finding support through the Dementia Advocates program, while advocate David Williams urges people living with Alzheimer’s disease to stay connected and contribute.
Source: Dementia Australia
Social isolation is a dementia risk, not just loneliness
Probus South Pacific says World Health Organization guidance identifying social isolation as a modifiable dementia risk reinforces the health value of regular connection through its network of more than 90,000 members in 1,300 clubs.
The Wrap
‘I’m going to kill you’: 11-year-old boy’s autistic meltdown leads to expulsion from Brisbane Grammar School – and a legal test case
The Courier-Mail reports a Federal Court disability-discrimination case against Brisbane Grammar School could test whether schools can exclude neurodivergent students for behaviour that is a manifestation of disability, particularly where agreed support plans were allegedly not followed. The boy’s parents say his suspension and expulsion followed an autistic meltdown; the school says its response was based on safety and behaviour rather than disability.
Summary based on visible public preview only.
Source: The Courier-Mail | Paywall: Yes
Young Australians with disability left behind despite $50bn NDIS spend
Adelaide Now reports Flinders University research found the inequality gap between young people with and without disability failed to narrow on any of 29 education, employment, health, financial-security and community-participation measures between 2001 and 2023. Researchers said the NDIS alone cannot close structural gaps across mainstream systems; only 11 per cent of young people with disability were NDIS participants in 2023.
Summary based on visible public preview only.
Source: Adelaide Now | Paywall: Yes
Study finds disability inequality has barely shifted since 2001.
Powerd reports that more than two decades of HILDA data show the inequality gap between young people with and without disability did not significantly narrow on any of 29 measures, despite the NDIS, the Disability Royal Commission and successive national disability strategies. Researchers recommend comparative, age-specific reporting to measure whether policy is actually reducing inequality.
Source: Powerd Media | Paywall: No
Emergency alert system worries advocates
ABC’s PM reports disability and migrant organisations are concerned the new AusAlert emergency-warning system will not reach or inform everyone when its national test sounds on Monday. Vision Australia’s Chris Edwards is among those raising access concerns as about 25 million phones are expected to receive the siren and alert.
Source: ABC Listen | Paywall: No
AUDIO: Paul Wade shares suspected CTE diagnosis
Former Socceroos captain Paul Wade tells ABC NewsRadio about a suspected diagnosis of chronic traumatic encephalopathy, the neurodegenerative brain disease linked to repeated head knocks in contact sport. Wade says hearing the diagnosis was difficult and discusses the neurological symptoms affecting him.
Source: ABC News | Paywall: No