There’s a lot of conversation right now about proposed changes to the NDIS.
If you’ve been following the news, you’ll have seen strong reactions from across the disability sector, state governments, advocates, and participants themselves. At the same time, the Federal Government has made it clear it intends to push ahead with reforms aimed at controlling the rising cost of the scheme.
For participants, families, and providers, this can feel confusing and, at times, unsettling.
At CSBS, we sit right at the coalface of this system every day. So, we wanted to take a step back, explain what’s happening in plain terms, and share what we’re seeing on the ground.
Why changes to the NDIS are being proposed
There’s no denying that the NDIS has grown rapidly.
Government modelling suggests the scheme is projected to cost tens of billions each year, which has raised concerns about long-term sustainability. The proposed reforms are aimed at slowing that growth, including:
- Tightening access to the scheme
- Redirecting some participants to mainstream supports
- Clarifying what the NDIS will and won’t fund
- Introducing new eligibility frameworks over time
From a policy perspective, sustainability matters. The NDIS needs to be there for future generations as well as those who rely on it today.
And as a registered provider, we understand the scrutiny. We operate under strict compliance requirements, are regularly audited, and have worked hard since 2017 to deliver safe, high-quality support not to “make bank,” but to build something sustainable and ethical.
The concern: are we moving too fast?
Where much of the concern lies isn’t in whether reform is needed but in how it’s being done.
A Senate inquiry into the proposed legislation heard overwhelming feedback calling for the changes to be reconsidered or amended. More than 4,000 submissions were received, with many raising similar themes:
- The pace of reform is too fast
- Alternative support systems are not yet ready
- There is a risk people may lose support before new systems are in place
In a rare show of unity, disability ministers from every state and territory, across both major parties, warned of a “significant risk” that people could end up without appropriate services, landing in hospitals (already significantly burdened) or in institutional settings, if the reforms proceed as planned.
This concern is echoed by a parliamentary human rights committee, which found the proposed changes may be “retrogressive” – that is, they could move protections and access backwards for some people.
What we’re hearing from people with lived experience
For many participants, this isn’t an abstract policy discussion, it’s deeply personal.
During the inquiry, one participant, Sam Petersen, shared:
“Before the NDIS I was forced to live for years in a group home and in a nursing home…
The NDIS gave me the right to reasonable and necessary, individualised support…
This Bill takes that right away from me.”
You can read his post here – it’s quietly devastating https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1EDpCwHDgw/
Others raised practical concerns about safety, independence, and the ability to participate in everyday life.
Paralympian Marayke Jonkers highlighted that supports often labelled as “non-essential”, like help to leave the house are actually what enable people to work, build skills, and stay independent.
And legal experts have warned of changes that could limit participants’ ability to challenge decisions or delays, reducing important safeguards that currently exist.
The wider conversation and the noise around it
At the same time, the NDIS has become a lightning rod for public debate.
You’ve probably seen comments like (we certainly have):
- “Biggest rip off on the planet”
- “The system only funds frauds”
- “It’s out of control spending”
These views reflect real frustration, but they don’t reflect the full picture.
The reality we see every day is this:
- People with complex disability rely on consistent, skilled support to live safely
- There are strong compliance frameworks in place for registered providers
- Quality support requires trained staff, governance, and accountability
Yes, there are challenges in the system. And yes, there has been misuse that needs to be addressed.
But most people who need support, families, and providers are simply trying to make the system work in a way that supports dignity, independence, and safety.
Finding the balance
This is where things become complex. Reform is necessary. The system must be sustainable.
But we also need to be careful about overcorrecting and unintentionally creating new risks in the process.
As one sector leader put it:
“The dangers are hidden in the detail… it’s vital to understand the real-life consequences.”
At CSBS, particularly in the complex space, we know how critical continuity of support is. When supports are reduced, delayed, or unclear, the impact isn’t theoretical, it shows up immediately in people’s lives.
We don’t believe anyone is trying to harm people with disability. But we also see how quickly outcomes can shift when policy decisions don’t fully account for what happens on the ground.
So, what does this mean right now?
At this stage:
- The legislation is still under review
- A Senate report is expected shortly
- The Government has indicated it intends to proceed, with limited changes
There is still uncertainty about how some of the proposed supports outside the NDIS will work and when they will be ready.
For the people we support and their families, it’s understandable to feel unsure.
Our perspective at CSBS
Our role is to stay grounded, practical, and focused on what matters most:
- Supporting participants to live as independently and safely as possible
- Maintaining high-quality, compliant support
- Navigating change alongside the people we support
We will continue to monitor these changes closely and keep our community informed in clear, accessible ways.
If you have questions, we’re here
This is a complex and evolving space and you don’t have to navigate it alone.
If you’d like to talk through what these changes might mean for you, or simply want clarity in plain language, our team is here to help.