A landmark review marks the first decade of Australia’s National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). 

The NDIS has transformed the lives of countless individuals over the past decade, but an interim report from a review of the scheme has revealed several areas of concern.

Those running the scheme have issued a call for public feedback, particularly from people with disabilities.

The review, which will release its final report in October, has identified five key areas that require attention. 

These include the unexpectedly high number of children on the scheme, issues pertaining to financial sustainability, the absence of community supports, ambiguities surrounding the definition of “reasonable and necessary” supports, and shortcomings in the NDIS markets.

Many young children are entering the scheme due to underestimated rates of disability among kids and a lack of support outside the NDIS. 

The report says there is a need to focus on support needs rather than just diagnoses, and highlights the importance of allowing children to have inclusive and ordinary childhoods.

Financial sustainability is another pressing issue. 

With nearly 600,000 participants, annual spending on the NDIS has reached $35 billion. 

To address the rising costs, the government aims to limit increased expenditure to 8 per cent annually. 

NDIS Minister Bill Shorten says he plans to achieve savings by addressing issues such as red tape, fraud, and price gouging.

While the NDIS has become a vital source of disability support, the report states that community supports promised during its inception have not been delivered. 

This has created an unfair situation where individuals are either on the scheme, fearing removal, or outside it, without any support. 

The report highlights the need for a more balanced system.

The “reasonable and necessary” criteria used by the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) to assess support eligibility have been poorly defined, resulting in planning inconsistencies and disputes. 

The report calls on the administrators to clarify these terms and improve the planning experience for participants.

The NDIS markets have not functioned as anticipated, failing to deliver improved quality, innovation, or diversity of services for all participants. 

Additionally, the limited availability and poor quality of services in remote areas hinder participants' choice and control over their supports. 

Workforce quality and retention are also key concerns.

The report's authors are seeking public feedback, especially from individuals with disabilities, to help shape the future of the scheme. 

They encourage participation in the review process to ensure the NDIS stays true to its original vision and becomes both sustainable and transformational.

Feedback can be provided here.