Ten of Australia's largest disability advocacy organisations have expressed collective disappointment after being blindsided by the Albanese government's plan to divert children with mild to moderate developmental delays or autism from the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). In a joint statement on Thursday evening, the groups urged new NDIS Minister Mark Butler to commit to co-designing a new program for these children.
The government's Thriving Kids program, announced on Wednesday, will commit $2bn to provide foundational supports outside the NDIS for children with less severe impairments. The program is set to begin rolling out from mid-2026, with changes to NDIS access not starting until mid-2027 after the new program is fully established. However, disability groups say the announcement came as a surprise, creating further uncertainty for the community.
State and territory leaders also offered mixed responses, with many claiming they were not consulted. NSW Treasurer Daniel Mookhey told a budget estimates hearing he had not been personally consulted, while Victoria's Premier Jacinta Allan and Disability Minister Lizzie Blandthorn said they first learned of the proposal during Butler's National Press Club address. Blandthorn described the lack of engagement as 'disappointing'.
Butler dismissed suggestions of poor consultation, stating that discussions between the commonwealth and states had been ongoing for almost two years, following a directive from the prime minister and premiers in 2023. He emphasised the need to address the increasing number of children entering the NDIS, as highlighted in a recent report.
The Thriving Kids program is the first concrete proposal to implement 'foundational supports' recommended by the NDIS review in late 2023. The government has flagged that further programs for other cohorts are on the way, but disability groups insist on being involved in the co-design process to ensure those with lived experience are at the centre of changes.
