Occupational Therapy Australia calls for person-centered approach as NDIS reforms take shape.  

Recent changes announced to the NDIS – tightening eligibility, smaller plans, and the way the scheme operates – represent the most significant reforms since the Scheme began. These changes will be implemented as part of the 2026-27 Federal Budget, to be released on Tuesday 12 May. Implementing legislation to enable NDIS reforms is also expected to be released around this time. 

As focus turns to the sustainability of the NDIS and funding into the future, we are hosting a forum to share what we know about the Budget, decisions around reform, and to hear more from members about your thoughts, experiences, concerns and suggestions.  

We want to hear from you. Our dicussion will help guide OTA’s policy and advocacy work on NDIS reforms and pricing decisions, so we can better represent your interests, concerns and priorities when engaging with the Australian Government. 

On Wednesday 22 April, Minister Mark Butler announced the next stage of reforms to the NDIS in a significant pre-budget announcement at the National Press Club in Canberra. The changes will result in fewer NDIS participants and slower growth of the scheme: 

• The government is targeting a reduction in participant numbers from around 760,000 to approximately 600,000 by the end of the decade.  

• Spending on the NDIS is expected to grow by an average of around 2 per cent per year in the short term. 

These changes are set to be formalised through the 2026-27 Federal Budget, which will provide the fiscal framework for these changes. The package will be given effect through the National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill, which the Government has committed to introducing once the Budget is handed down.  

OTA supports reform to improve integrity and sustainability of the NDIS, but vital occupational therapy services must not be cut as part of this process. Keeping NDIS participants and their supporters front and centre is critical as these reforms unfold. 

This session is suitable for:

OTA members and occupational therapists working under the NDIS.

FACILITATOR

Michelle Oliver – Chief Occupational Therapist, Occupational Therapy Australia

PRESENTERS

Jessica Szwarcbord - Head of Policy and Advocacy, Government and Stakeholder Relations

Daniel White – Strategic Government, Stakeholder Relations & Policy Specialist at Occupational Therapy Australia.

WORKSHOP DETAILS

DATE

Friday 15th May 2026  

TIME

12:30pm – 2:00pm | NSW | ACT | VIC | TAS | QLD |
12:00 noon – 1:30pm | SA | NT |
10:30am – 12:00 noon | WA |

Please login 10 minutes before the scheduled presentation time

The session will run for approximately 90 minutes.  

VENUE

This is a 100% virtual event. You will receive an email with details to access the event the prior to the scheduled event date.

ACCESS:

This session will be recorded.

The recording and resources will be available in your OTA Account for 12 weeks.

CPD HOURS:

Total CPD claimable workshop hour: 1.5 hours

Please allow 48 hours for your CPD Certificate to be loaded in your CPD Tracker after course completion. 

 

REGISTRATION FEES

This is a free member event for Occupational Therapy Australia members only.

Members must register to attend and need to be logged into their OTA Account with username and password in order to register.

RSVPS close 11:55pm AEST 13 May 2026
 

DISCLAIMER

All information is correct at the time of publication. OTA reserves the right to alter or delete items from the CPD calendar as required, and takes no responsibility for any errors, omissions and changes.

All workshop resources including copies of the presentation, along with all supporting documents and links are not for distribution and are the property of the presenter.

An OTA staff member or representative may be photographing this event for use in OTA publications and/ or on OTA social media sites. If you do not wish to be photographed, or have your image published please make this known to the OTA representative at your course or contact OTA on 1300 682 878 or info@otaus.com.au

TERMS AND CONDITIONS (T&C)

Terms and Conditions including OTA’s refund and cancellation policy are available here

CONTACT US

Please email info@otaus.com.au or phone 1300 682 878