NDIS Assessment Tool Faces Expert Criticism Over Disability Validation Concerns
Australia's National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is facing significant criticism from leading psychologists and disability experts over its newly procured assessment tool. The Instrument for the Classification and Assessment of Support Needs (I-CAN) has raised serious concerns about its validation across diverse disability types, with experts warning that inadequate testing could lead to potentially tragic outcomes for participants.
The I-CAN Assessment Process
The I-CAN tool, developed by the Centre for Disability Studies, operates as a three-hour semi-structured interview covering multiple areas of a participant's life. Responses are processed through a computer program that generates a budget of supports for NDIS participants. The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) announced in September that it had selected this tool as the foundation for determining support plans, describing it as the "gold standard of available, validated needs assessment tools."
The agency emphasised that the I-CAN has been developed over more than twenty years within the Australian context and tested through multiple research studies across various disability groups. The tool is scheduled for a staged rollout beginning in mid-2026 as part of a major overhaul of how NDIS support plans are determined.
Expert Concerns About Validation
Dr Kelly Gough, president of the Australian Psychological Society representing over 25,000 psychologists nationwide, expressed significant concerns about how the I-CAN tool has been validated. While acknowledging strengths in the assessment approach, Gough highlighted that all validation studies to date have been conducted by allied health professionals.
"We don't have any published evidence that I'm aware of that it's an effective or a valid tool if it's done by people who don't have all that other knowledge and background," Gough stated. This concern is particularly relevant as the NDIA has indicated that while it will seek assessors with allied health backgrounds, this will not be a mandatory requirement.
Dr Marjorie Collins, president of the Institute of Clinical Psychologists, echoed these concerns, stating that the I-CAN has not been tested on sufficient populations to justify its widespread implementation. Collins described rolling out the tool to all adult NDIS participants without further testing as "reprehensible," noting that validation has primarily focused on people with intellectual disabilities.
Specific Disability Group Concerns
Experts have identified particular concerns regarding how the I-CAN tool addresses specific disability categories:
- Autism spectrum diversity: Jenny Karavolos, co-chair at the Australian Autism Alliance, noted that her organisation has not endorsed the I-CAN because no studies demonstrate its reliability in capturing the diversity of autistic support needs.
- Acquired brain injury: Gough expressed concerns about the tool's effectiveness for people with acquired brain injuries and psychosocial conditions.
- Intersectional characteristics: Professor Helen Dickinson from the University of New South Wales emphasised the need to test whether the tool works for people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, First Nations communities, and other intersectional groups.
Potential Consequences and Calls for Action
Gough warned of potentially serious consequences if the I-CAN is implemented broadly without further research and validation. "What will probably happen is that there will just be terrible outcomes for six months or a year and complaints ... and people talking to the government and the ombudsman and whatever else and maybe a couple of tragedies and then something will get fixed," he cautioned.
Karavolos drew parallels with the initial NDIS rollout, expressing concern about "designing the plane while we're flying it." She emphasised the importance of thorough pilot testing against large, diverse samples, arguing that proper testing now would prevent greater costs to individuals and society later.
NDIA Response and Future Plans
A spokesperson for the NDIA stated that the tool would be rolled out over the next five years and that the agency would use the I-CAN "as the starting point for developing a tailored tool for the NDIS' specific needs." The spokesperson maintained that the I-CAN is "appropriate for use across all disability types" and has been "extensively researched and tested in a range of real-world disability settings."
The NDIA emphasised ongoing consultation with participants, families, carers, and the broader disability community to ensure the Support Needs Assessment works for all participants, including different disability types, remote area residents, First Nations participants, and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
Despite these assurances, experts continue to call for more comprehensive testing and validation before full implementation, highlighting the critical importance of getting assessment tools right for Australia's disability community.
