New plan to divert children with autism away from NDIS | 7.30

Key Concepts:

• NDIS (National Disability Insurance Scheme): A scheme designed to support Australians with permanent and significant disabilities.
• Social License: Public confidence and support for the NDIS, based on the perception of value for money and proper management.
• Developmental Delay/Autism (Mild to Moderate): Refers to children experiencing delays in development or diagnosed with autism at levels not expected to result in permanent disability.
• Foundational Supports: Broad-based, mainstream services and systems designed to support children with developmental delays and autism outside of the NDIS.
• Provider Registration: A system for registering and monitoring service providers within the NDIS to ensure quality and prevent fraud.
• Diversion: Redirecting children with mild to moderate developmental delay/autism from the NDIS to alternative support systems.

NDIS Social License and Concerns

Mark Butler emphasizes that the NDIS, while transformative for people with disabilities, is at risk of losing its "social license." This is due to public concerns about:

• High Costs: Taxpayers are worried about the escalating costs of the scheme.
• Dodgy Providers: Concerns about fraudulent or unethical service providers exploiting the system.
• Perception of Being Broken: A significant portion of the public believes the NDIS is not functioning as intended.
• Research Findings: Research indicates that the public recognizes the positive impact of the NDIS but also expresses concerns about its cost and effectiveness. Six in ten people believe the NDIS is broken.

Proposed Changes: Diverting Children with Mild to Moderate Autism/Developmental Delays

The core proposal involves diverting children with mild to moderate autism or developmental delays away from the NDIS.

• Rationale: The NDIS was designed for permanent and significant disabilities. A large number of children with developmental delays and autism (not expected to be permanently disabling) are enrolled because of a lack of alternative support systems.
• Statistics: One in six grade 2 boys are on the NDIS, with some areas reporting as high as one in four.
• Alternative System: The government plans to build an alternative system to support these children, addressing the current situation where the NDIS is the "only port in a storm" for concerned parents.

Building a New Support System

The strategy focuses on leveraging and rebuilding existing systems:

• Existing Systems: Utilizing maternal and infant health systems, primary care (Medicare), and community health centers. These systems have been partially defunded due to the NDIS.
• Refocusing: Rebuilding and refocusing these mainstream supports to address the broad-based issue of developmental delays and autism.
• National Consistency: Aiming for a nationally consistent system, rather than fragmented state-based approaches.
• Commitment to Funding: The Commonwealth is committed to ongoing funding for this new system.

Collaboration with States and Territories

The initiative involves collaboration with states and territories:

• National Cabinet Agreement: All jurisdictions agreed to establish systems to support children with developmental delays and adults with psychosocial disabilities.
• Financial Commitment: Both the Commonwealth and the states/territories have committed $5 billion each to this effort.

Transition and Guarantees for Parents

The transition process is designed to be gradual and ensure continuous support:

• Transition Period: A two-year run-up period before diversion from the NDIS begins.
• Service Rollout: Services will start rolling out next year to provide parents with confidence in the new system.
• No Service Gaps: Assurance that there will be no gap in services during the transition.
• Existing Participants: Children already on the NDIS will be entitled to remain, subject to existing rules.
• Guarantee: Mark Butler guarantees that the new services will be in place before any diversion from the NDIS occurs.

Addressing Fraud and Non-Compliance in the NDIS

The interview addresses the issue of fraud within the NDIS:

• Historical Neglect: The National Audit Office found that there were effectively no real controls on fraud and non-compliance before 2024.
• Current Efforts: Increased investigations and search warrants are being conducted to crack down on fraud.
• Provider Registration: A need for a more robust system of provider registration, similar to those in aged care and veterans care, to improve oversight and accountability.
• Scale of the Problem: Out of 260,000 service providers, only 16,000 are registered, limiting the government's ability to monitor their activities and qualifications.

Conclusion

The interview highlights the government's plan to reform the NDIS by diverting children with mild to moderate autism and developmental delays to a new, more appropriate support system. This involves rebuilding existing mainstream services, collaborating with states and territories, and ensuring a smooth transition for families. Simultaneously, the government is working to address fraud and non-compliance within the NDIS through increased oversight and a more robust provider registration system. The overarching goal is to ensure the long-term sustainability and effectiveness of the NDIS while providing the right support to all Australians who need it.