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The integrity of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is under scrutiny, with concerns arising over its effectiveness when nearly 40% of students in some classrooms are beneficiaries. Such a scenario could potentially dilute the original intent of the program, which was designed to have broad public support. Maintaining this support hinges on ensuring the system remains sustainable.
Financially, the NDIS has become a significant burden on the national budget, with its costs escalating to unprecedented levels. Since 2021, the program’s expenditure has doubled, surpassing even the nation’s defense spending. In the 2025/26 financial year, the NDIS accounted for $46.1 billion, and projections indicate this will swell to $55.1 billion in the following year.
Despite these financial challenges, the Prime Minister has firmly dismissed the idea of introducing means-testing for the NDIS. This decision underscores a commitment to keep the scheme accessible to all who need it, without imposing additional eligibility criteria based on income.
Spending on the NDIS hit $46.1 billion during the 2025/26 financial year and is forecast to reach $55.1 billion in the next financial year.
But the PM ruled out introducing means-testing for the disability scheme.
“No. Well, we support the universality of the system,” he told the Australian Financial Review.
“Eligibility should be about people’s disability and enabling them to fully participate in society.”
Nine newspapers last month reported that Labor was working to a lesser five per cent growth target for the NDIS this budget.
Albanese’s pre-budget schedule has been derailed by his urgent trip to Singapore and tour through Asia this week, which will see the PM meet with the Sultan of Brunei and Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to ensure Australia has a healthy supply of fertiliser and fuel.
The PM said fuel security would also be a focus in the May budget, described as his government’s “most important budget to date”.
“The system needs to work for people,” the PM added.
“You don’t change that by rhetoric and by dividing people, which is, what is some of the populist rhetoric.
“You do that by giving people a stake in the economy.”
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