Families of children with autism are reporting that their National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) plans are already being cut or rejected, even before a major overhaul of the scheme takes effect. They say they are being told to wait for support programs that do not yet exist, leaving them without vital services.
Case Study: Aidyn's Struggle
Aidyn, an eight-year-old boy with level-two autism, an intellectual disability, and an eating disorder, has experienced significant cuts to his NDIS support. His coordinator, Jayde Parker, informed the NDIS of a change in the family's circumstances and requested support for Aidyn's mother, who also has autism. Previously, Aidyn received support coordination, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, a dietitian, a feeding therapist, and a monthly nurse visit. However, the government subsequently cut his therapy funding to just seven hours of dietitian support per year. Parker fought the decision for two years, eventually winning a review that restored approximately $120,000 to Aidyn's plan. However, during the review process, the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) told Aidyn's mother to wait for the new foundational program, Thriving Kids, which Parker says felt like an attempt to block Aidyn from the scheme.
Government Overhaul and Replacement Programs
Last week, Health Minister Mark Butler announced that around 160,000 people are expected to be removed from the NDIS by 2030 as part of a massive overhaul aimed at curbing ballooning costs. The government states that the overhaul is essential for the long-term viability of the NDIS. Those who no longer meet the yet-to-be-announced eligibility requirements will be redirected to programs such as Thriving Kids, co-run by states and territories, which is designed to remove children with mild autism and other developmental conditions from the NDIS. Thriving Kids is expected to be fully operational by 2028. However, families and advocates say plans are already being cut or rejected, and they are being told to wait for support from these programs, which do not yet exist.
Rising Exits and Concerns
Data from the Australian Neurodivergent Parents Association shows that children with developmental delay are being removed from the NDIS faster than they are being admitted. Exits have risen sharply: 7,270 in 2023, 19,412 in 2024, and 40,900 in 2025. The number of participants with developmental delay peaked at 88,112 in March 2025, then fell to 70,602 by December 2025. Sarah Langston, president of the association, says nearly 12,000 children with developmental delays have been removed from individualized support before the replacement system is in place. She describes a pattern of "constructive removal" where children remain eligible in name but their plans are gutted, drastically reducing support.
Family Experiences
Skye Bryant, from the Sutherland shire, has a five-year-old daughter with level-two autism, a feeding condition, and extreme sensory processing challenges. After notifying the NDIS of a change in circumstances, most of her plan was stripped. They were left without appropriate transport support for 10 weeks, forcing a three-hour daily public transport journey to get her daughter to school. After intervention from her local MP, a new plan was provided, but $12,000 was removed from therapy funding to allow for only 45 minutes of daily support. Bryant believes this reflects a broader problem families are facing, having to trade essential therapies for basic supports.
Concerns Over Thriving Kids
Advocacy groups have many questions about what Thriving Kids will look like and how much care disabled children will receive. Langston describes the current situation as "a bit of a fantasy," as the new supports are often inappropriate or do not yet exist. New South Wales Premier Chris Minns acknowledged the need for an affordable program but warned that equivalent care cannot be provided in the state system for those not receiving NDIS support.
