The NDIS Commission is a regulator within the Government, they are responsible for registration and overseeing disability services. They are not just the rule enforcers, but pledge that they are advocates, helping to make NDIS supports safer, stronger, and better for everyone involved.
What is the sector experiencing?
There is word or mouth and physical evidence from participants plans that the NDIS is cutting participants funding without much consultation with the very people it upholds to protect.
What does the NDIS have to say?
Reducing funding can be likened to tightening a belt so that the NDIS can redirect resources where they’re most needed.
Think of it as choosing to focus on high-impact priorities—some areas may take a backseat temporarily, but the goal is a leaner, more efficient operation. While it often involves tough choices, reducing funding in certain areas allows for more involvement with those that need it most and building on the Schemes long-term resilience.
When done thoughtfully, it can spark creative solutions and help everyone focus on what truly matters, encouraging smarter use of the allocated funding for greater collective success. Let’s hope this what is trying to be achieved rather than the government historically mismanaging a valuable resource and now having to squeeze more from less. The NDIS state their goal is to keep it simple, clear, and open to everyone, especially those who are most impacted.
Your voice is at the heart of this process. And yes, they want all kinds of feedback—suggestions, comments, and the truth of what is happening out there. This is where it is imperative to speak up. While participants funding is being cut, it has the obvious knock-on effect to providers who are meant to manage their business on less income, yet provide the same services and do them to an exemplary level.
The NDIS Commission is emphatic about their commitment to making these changes worth everyone’s while, and to do that, they need your honest thoughts and ideas. Participants and providers alike will have plenty of ways to tell them what’s working, what isn’t, and what can be done better.
A typical case: A participant with a NDIS plan of under $50,000 for 2 years was contacted by a NDIS representative eight months before their plan was due for review. The participant, who does not have support coordination, did not fully understand the impact of changes in the new plan that came out of that meeting, or the need to inform their providers.
Two months before the previous plan was set to expire, the provider reached out to the participant only to discover that their funding had been reduced by two thirds, six months earlier. It was a one-year plan period, but because of the lack of proper direction from anyone within the NDIS realm, including partners, this participant had little understanding of the ramifications. The provider, unaware of the reduction, had continued delivering services as usual, nearly depleting the participant’s funding.
Where does the responsibility of the NDIS lie in supporting the participant in situations like this? Will the NDIS penalise the provider? Is the Plan Manager at fault, or is the participant? These are the questions we need to be asking, especially around the changes coming in the next twelve months.
To keep you in the loop, the NDIS Regulatory Reform Roadmap lays out what we’re planning all the way to December 2025. So, jump on board, don’t be shy and join the conversation. Let’s make sure the NDIS is aware of the impact it has having on everyone.
Current Consultations
Public Consultation on NDIS Act Amendments and Provider Registration Requirements Starting October 31, we’ll consult on changes to mandatory registration for Platform Providers, Support Coordinators, and Supported Independent Living, along with proposed amendments to the NDIS Act. Details will be added soon.
Proposed Amendments to the NDIS Act (Bill No.2)
The recent Disability Royal Commission report highlighted ongoing quality and safety issues in NDIS services. The report calls for stronger monitoring, compliance, and enforcement to protect NDIS participants.
To address these concerns, Bill No.2 proposes:
Stricter regulations and tougher penalties for violations,
Enhanced information-gathering powers for better compliance monitoring, and
Expanded banning powers to apply beyond providers and workers, covering other key areas like auditing and consulting.
These changes aim to improve the quality and safety of NDIS supports and will help reduce fraud, exploitation, and low-quality providers.
Increased Regulatory Protections
On October 28, Minister Bill Shorten announced further NDIS legislation under the "Getting it Back on Track" Bill. These amendments will strengthen protections for NDIS participants and workers.
The proposed changes will:
Impose stricter penalties for non-compliance,
Expand information-gathering capabilities for monitoring, and
Broaden banning categories to cover those in critical NDIS areas.
These adjustments will enhance the NDIS Commission’s ability to deter and respond to low-quality or fraudulent providers.
You can also read about the tougher measures for dodgy providers here:
Source: NDIS Website: NDIS Commission - Reform
Key Timelines for Reforms
Mandatory Registration
Step 1: Consultation (October 2024 – March 2025)
Step 2: Decisions & Transition Plans (April 2025 – June 2025)
Step 3: Transition to Mandatory Registration (from July 1, 2025)
NDIS Bill No.2
Step 1: Consultation (October 2024 – December 2024)
Step 2: Parliament Consideration (March 2025)
Step 3: Implementation post-Parliament approval
NDIS Practice Standards & Rules Review
Consultation begins in March 2025.
Next Steps
Consultations with state and territory governments, as well as the broader disability community, will begin in November 2024. Based on feedback from Bill No.1 consultations, they will aim to provide extensive opportunities for input on Bill No.2.
Have Your Say
You’ll have the chance to provide feedback during the consultation period, which begins on October 31. No mandatory registration changes will happen before July 1, 2025.
We wish you well, as always
The Lama Care Team
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