The NDIS is undergoing a major overhaul. This is what the changes could mean for you
Guardian AU
•Wed, 19 Aug 2026 15:00:14 GMT
📰 What Happened
The NDIS is undergoing a major overhaul as part of a bill that passed the Senate with 63 amendments backed by Labor and the Coalition. The government aims to cut the number of participants from more than 770,000 to around 600,000, projecting the scheme would otherwise cost over $100bn by the mid-2030s, and some participants could lose up to 50% of budget for carers accompanying them to job or social programs.
🔍 The Backstory
The scheme, created under the Gillard government, now supports over 770,000 Australians and is expected to cost $54bn this financial year, with ministers Mark Butler and Jenny McAllister arguing the growth is unsustainable.
🎯 Why It Matters
It is a major restructuring of one of Australia's largest social programs, affecting hundreds of thousands of people with disability.
The NDIS is undergoing a major overhaul as part of a bill that passed the Senate with 63 amendments backed by Labor and the Coalition. The government aims to cut the number of participants from more than 770,000 to around 600,000, projecting the scheme would otherwise cost over $100bn by the mid-2030s, and some participants could lose up to 50% of budget for carers accompanying them to job or social programs.
The scheme, created under the Gillard government, now supports over 770,000 Australians and is expected to cost $54bn this financial year, with ministers Mark Butler and Jenny McAllister arguing the growth is unsustainable.
It is a major restructuring of one of Australia's largest social programs, affecting hundreds of thousands of people with disability.