NDIS underspend symptomatic of a flawed system

Amaze is deeply concerned by the $4.6 billion National Disability Insurance Scheme underspend announced by the Commonwealth Government earlier this week, and the latest comments from Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Finance Minister Mathias Cormann indicating the underspend is due to a lack of demand for NDIS supports.

Participant and market data, as well as reports from the autism community, tell us that demand for NDIS supports is high across the country – but flaws in the Scheme, especially in the planning process, are preventing participants from accessing the supports they need.

Independent and government inquiries have consistently found that autistic people, in particular, are faring poorly within the NDIS environment.

Funding packages for many autistic children are inadequate, and access to critical early intervention is being delayed by up to 12 months or more. Autistic people with complex needs and/or those living in rural and remote areas are further disadvantaged due to gaps in service provision. Research from Amaze found that 65% of respondents rated their NDIS Planner’s knowledge and understanding of autism as none to a moderate.

With 29% of participants having a primary diagnosis of autism, the Scheme must meet the support needs of autistic people to achieve its goals.

Amaze will continue to advocate to state and Commonwealth Governments on key initiatives that would improve the experiences and outcomes of autistic participants, including:

• An Autism and Neurodevelopmental Stream
  A specialist stream to ensure NDIS staff, including Planners, have a better understanding of autism, the planning process is more engaging for autistic participants, and evidence-based supports are readily accessible.
• Reduce delays
  Timeliness is a key issue across the NDIS, especially for the Early Childhood Early Intervention pathway. Early intervention for autistic children is vital to increasing their developmental trajectory, and has been shown to produce a net benefit of $365.7 million.
  The NDIS Participant Service Guarantee will introduce new standards and timelines for NDIS processes, but it must be supported with implementation guidelines for NDIS staff to ensure it offers quality and efficiency for participants.
• Stimulating growth in the disability services sector
  Currently, there just aren’t enough services to meet demand and needs – nor are there ‘provider of last resort’ arrangements in Victoria to ensure appropriate crisis support is available. Government-led investment in services continues to be crucial to appropriate supports are available for autistic NDIS participants.

While a number of reviews are underway to improve the NDIS – such as the Review of the NDIS Act and the Joint Standing Committee Inquiry on NDIS Planning – this work needs oversight so recommendations are implemented in a considered, coordinated and strategic way, and lead to real-world benefit for participants.

This staggering underspend is symptomatic of a system that is failing its participants. Urgent action is needed to address the many challenges people with disability – particularly those with complex support needs – face within a system that has not been adequately designed to support them.

For more information

To find out more about the NDIS generally, visit the NDIS website or call 1800 800 110.

For free and confidential information and advice specific to your situation, contact the Amaze Autism Advisors on 1300 308 699, email [email protected] or use the webchat on this site. This service is open from 8am–7pm, Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays).