Policy and Advocacy Disability Update January 2025

Additional NDIS Budget Funding

On 17 December, NDIS Minister Bill Shorten announced an additional $1 billion for the NDIS portfolio, allocated as follows:

$503.5 million for the NDIA to enhance capacity for quality, timely decision-making.

$280.0 million to implement a new planning framework.

$143.9 million to support core functions of the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission.

$110.4 million to improve fraud detection IT systems.

$4.5 million to design and consult on an early intervention pathway for children under nine with developmental delays or disabilities.

The funding includes support needs assessments at no cost to participants and plans for a multidisciplinary workforce to deliver these assessments, with the new approach set to commence on 1 September 2025.

Following the announcement, OTA wrote to Minister Shorten, calling for urgent and ongoing consultation with occupational therapists, given their key role in supporting Australians with disabilities both within and outside the NDIS. OTA also recommended the establishment of an NDIA Advisory Group to guide the development of this new model with thorough engagement from participants and allied health peak bodies.

OTA emphasised that the new approach must:

Be person-centred, trauma-informed, culturally sensitive, and grounded in human rights principles, with access to advocates and supports.

Be independent of NDIA budget and planning decisions to avoid conflicts of interest.

Be administered by qualified allied health professionals, such as occupational therapists, as recommended in the NDIS Independent Review.

Employ a comprehensive strategy, including a skilled workforce, person-centred practices, and disability-specific tools, recognising that no single short training course or tool suffices for quality assessments.

Build on existing academic research and recommendations from the 2011 Productivity Commission Inquiry, the 2023 NDIS Independent Review, and the Joint Standing Committee Inquiry into Independent Assessments, avoiding the pitfalls of past models.

NDIS Bill No. 2

OTA responded to a consultation paper proposing amendments to the NDIS Act aimed at strengthening the NDIS Commission’s powers and regulatory framework. While no changes to the provider registration framework were proposed, OTA's submission highlighted the already significant regulatory burden faced by providers and opposed any amendments that would further impact smaller providers. Read OTA’s submission here.

NDIS Evidence Advisory Committee (EAC) – EOI Extended

The NDIA has extended the deadline for expressions of interest for its new Evidence and Advisory Committee (EAC) to 31 January 2025. The EAC and its sub-committees, focusing on assistive technology, capacity building, and economics, will evaluate evidence on disability supports and provide recommendations to the Government regarding their safety, suitability, and cost-effectiveness for NDIS funding. Find out more and apply here.

Foundational Supports

OTA supports the commitment to expanding disability supports, ensuring individuals with disabilities, their families, and carers have access to essential services. Occupational therapists are uniquely positioned to contribute to these reforms across mainstream and foundational supports, and OTA is eager to collaborate with governments on their design and implementation.

However, OTA has significant concerns regarding:

Funding cuts without alternatives: Children, individuals with psychosocial disabilities, and other participants are losing funding, with no replacement systems to provide support. Occupational therapists are under increasing pressure to help participants prove eligibility within restrictive 28-day timeframes.

Lack of consultation: Governments are failing to engage OTA and the sector despite the pivotal role of occupational therapists in disability services.

Bias towards large providers: Reforms appear to favour large providers and commissioned services, overlooking experienced professionals in private practice and offering no clear strategy to engage or transition these practitioners.

Cost-cutting risks: A focus on reducing costs may undermine key advances in enabling people with disabilities to participate fully in their communities.

OTA’s recent advocacy on these issues include

Correspondence with NDIA CEO: Raised concerns about the impact and timelines of reassessments.

Engagement with Minister Shorten: Requested a meeting to discuss the new assessment program and called for an NDIA Advisory Group involving OTA and allied health peak bodies.

Public and direct advocacy: Campaigned for transitional funding arrangements to support participants found ineligible for NDIS funding until foundational supports are established.

Ongoing participation in consultation on the Best Practice Framework for Early Childhood Intervention being co-led by PRECI in order to ensure that the Framework reflects and supports occupational therapy practice.

Ongoing work to leverage national media to increase awareness of the unique role of, and challenges faced by, occupational therapists in early childhood intervention. This includes presentation by OTA professional practice lead Ailsa Leslie on ABC Radio about OT paediatric practice and coverage in The Australian outlining current issues for the profession and participants associated with reassessments.

OTA will continue to keep memebers updated on this issue.