Almost 145,000 Australians will lose support for autism under NDIS reforms, documents reveal
News Source
β’Wed, 15 Jul 2026 15:00:59 GMT
π° What Happened
Internal government documents obtained by Guardian Australia reveal that nearly 145,000 Australians receiving NDIS support for autism are expected to be removed from the scheme by 2030, with almost two-thirds of those affected being under 18. The changes are part of the Albanese government's plan to narrow the $52 billion scheme toward those with severe and complex needs.
π The Backstory
The NDIS (National Disability Insurance Scheme) has been a landmark social program in Australia, but its costs have ballooned dramatically β the government estimates it will more than double from $52 billion to $117 billion per year within a decade without intervention. People with autism are the fastest-growing cohort on the scheme. From 2028, a new 'functional capacity test' will be used to determine eligibility, shifting the focus away from diagnosis-based access. The reforms are expected to pass parliament when it returns next month despite fierce criticism from disability advocates, who argue the changes will leave vulnerable Australians without essential support.
π― Why It Matters
This represents one of the most significant changes to Australia's disability support system since the NDIS was established, affecting hundreds of thousands of families. The decision to remove such a large number of autistic Australians β many of them children β raises serious questions about the government's approach to disability support and whether the new functional capacity test will adequately assess individual needs.
Internal government documents obtained by Guardian Australia reveal that nearly 145,000 Australians receiving NDIS support for autism are expected to be removed from the scheme by 2030, with almost two-thirds of those affected being under 18. The changes are part of the Albanese government's plan to narrow the $52 billion scheme toward those with severe and complex needs.
The NDIS (National Disability Insurance Scheme) has been a landmark social program in Australia, but its costs have ballooned dramatically β the government estimates it will more than double from $52 billion to $117 billion per year within a decade without intervention. People with autism are the fastest-growing cohort on the scheme. From 2028, a new 'functional capacity test' will be used to determine eligibility, shifting the focus away from diagnosis-based access. The reforms are expected to pass parliament when it returns next month despite fierce criticism from disability advocates, who argue the changes will leave vulnerable Australians without essential support.
This represents one of the most significant changes to Australia's disability support system since the NDIS was established, affecting hundreds of thousands of families. The decision to remove such a large number of autistic Australians β many of them children β raises serious questions about the government's approach to disability support and whether the new functional capacity test will adequately assess individual needs.