IAC meeting bulletin, 26 June 2025

The Independent Advisory Council (IAC) to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) met online on 26 June 2025. Members discussed:

  • issues NDIS participants have recently been facing

  • an update on Foundational Supports

  • advice to the Board of the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA).

Ms Leah van Poppel, IAC Principal Member led the meeting.

Senator the Hon Jenny McAllister, Minister for the NDIS

The Minister for the NDIS asked Members what they believed the Government’s highest priority should be in supporting people with disability, and how they felt the Government could deliver the best results in the next 12-18 months.

Members offered a range of responses, including:

  • allowing people on the disability support pension to work without losing their funding

  • focusing on safety and quality of life to reduce the risk of abuse, neglect, violence and exploitation

  • encouraging positive perceptions of participants in the community

  • supporting individual and systemic advocacy

  • a dedicated Disability Rights Act

  • tighter controls on approvals of Specialist Disability Accommodation facilities

  • encouraging disability entrepreneurs

  • improving participant communications.  

The Minister noted the work the NDIS had done to create a meaningful system for people with disability, while showing the broader community what these changes look like. She noted the Scheme’s ongoing mission is to be sustainable and create positive outcomes for participants.

What members have heard in their community

Members shared community concerns about the design of the new support needs assessment processes. The NDIA said it was working to get accurate communications to participants, staff and providers, to show how the support needs assessment will look over the next 5 years as it rolls out the new planning pathway.

Members highlighted the negative consequences of recent Scheme reforms on participants’ health and wellbeing, particularly the introduction of shorter funding periods to new and reassessed plans. Members said the community needs the NDIS to be responsive and flexible. Members said there needs to be more frequently asked questions and general information available about funding periods.

Members voiced community concerns about participants in regional, rural, and remote areas at risk from reduced provider travel price limits. Service reductions because of these pricing changes may impact already disadvantaged participants, reducing choice and control. The NDIA noted it is looking at what participants need, what providers are charging, and that it was aware of participant issues.

Members shared the main points raised at the recent Home and Living Reference Group meeting. Major concerns raised were about pricing changes and impact of the changes to travel allowances.  The NDIA noted that an independent expert panel completed range of analyses including looking at prices across other industries to set new price limits.

Members are concerned more participants are losing the right to self-manage their plans. Members sought reassurance from the NDIA on understanding if the system is forcing people off self-management, or if participants were doing this voluntarily. Members asked if the NDIA is adhering to best practice and maintaining the best global standard for disability care and self-determination.

Members asked if planners are using artificial intelligence to read complex reports and make recommendations. The NDIA noted that planners do not have access to Chat GPT or similar applications on any Agency devices, so they cannot summarise participants’ health therapy reports with artificial intelligence.

Foundational supports update

The NDIA gave Members an update on Foundational Supports. The NDIA’s role is to work with the Department of Social Services, State and Territory Governments on the design of Foundational Supports, what they look like and how to deliver them in the most effective way to maximise outcomes for people with disability, their families and carers. The NDIA wants Members’ feedback to help design its integration activities. Members offered their insights, including the need for Foundational Supports to be the same quality in all regions, and to better integrate mainstream services into the NDIS.  

IAC Advice

The IAC’s Senior Independent Advisor updated Members on the draft scoping document for the Home and Living Advice. There is an intent to focus on rights-based models of support and housing, and the market stewardship role of the NDIA. The NDIA is open to feedback and wants the advice to be as impactful and implementable as possible, ensuring it includes the diverse experiences of different people.

Next meeting

The IAC will next meet on 5-6 August 2025. Find out more about IAC meetings and bulletins at the IAC website. The IAC publishes an Easy Read version of this bulletin, as part of its commitment to accessibility.