Australia’s disability insurance programme to receive more gov’t support

The government is investing an additional AU$227.6m.

The Australian Government is committed to improving outcomes for over one in six Australians with disability through increased investments in disability employment and the  National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

Following the findings of the Royal Commission on Violence, Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation of People with Disability and the Independent Review of the NDIS, the 2024-25 Budget focuses on enhancing employment outcomes and strengthening disability support.

A key initiative is the new Specialist Disability Employment Program, which will start on 1 July 2025.

The government is investing an additional AU$227.6m, totalling AU$5.4b over five years, to help more people with disability prepare for and find employment. 

This includes a modern digital platform and procurement efforts to ensure a robust market with more specialist providers and increased participant choice. The program aims to deliver high-quality services tailored to individual needs, offering diverse pathways to employment, including a single wage subsidy of up to AU$10,000.

Additionally, the government will establish a Disability Employment Centre of Excellence with AU$23.3m in funding over four years. 

The centre will enhance the capacity of employment service providers, share best practices, and support various employment services, including Disability Employment Services, Workforce Australia, and Community Development Programs.

The new program is based on the eight principles for reform outlined in the government’s 2023 Employment White Paper and addresses key findings from the Royal Commission. 

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It aims to help 15,000 more people with disability access employment each year, balancing the needs of employees and employers to foster inclusive workplaces.

To further support the NDIS, the government will establish an NDIS Evidence Advisory Committee (NDIS EAC) with a commitment of AU$45.5m over four years, and AU$13.3m per year ongoing from 2024–25. 

The NDIS EAC will provide independent, transparent advice on effective therapeutic supports, ensuring they are beneficial, safe, evidence-based, and cost-effective.

Additional funding of AU$2.6m will support the National Disability Abuse and Neglect Hotline and the Complaints Resolution and Referral Service. 

These services offer confidential channels for reporting abuse and neglect and voicing concerns about government-funded disability services outside the NDIS, ensuring fair, impartial, and independent advice.

The government continues to work with people with disability and their representatives to ensure a safer, more inclusive future, supporting the safety and wellbeing of all Australians with disability.