NDIS Overhaul: Tougher Rules, Bigger Budget

0:00It's April 22nd. This is Adelaide News Today, powered by AI. I'm Cory with the Story. Federal Health Minister Mark Butler just laid out tough new rules for the National Disability Insurance Scheme or NDIS. He's overhauling eligibility so it's not based on diagnosis alone, but on real evidence of how much someone's daily function is impaired. That means projections for participants drop big time. From over 900,000 to around 600,000 by the end of the decade, the Scheme's facing a massive $13 billion cost blowout over four years, growing way too fast. Butler's calling out rotors and low-lifes, scamming taxpayers, and disabled folks with organized crime even dipping in. From July 1st, more providers got a register fully to handle vulnerable care. Everyone already on the NDIS faces reassessment to make sure they fit the original goal, support for those with serious functional limits, not every. Disability Need

1:00The program kicked off in 2013, and experts say it was never meant to cover everyone. Legislation hits Parliament next sitting week to lock in these changes and cap runaway budgets like social participation costs. Meanwhile, Butler announced a $1 billion aged care boost after backlash, making basics like showering and dressing free. These moves aim to rein in the chaos, protect the truly needy, and keep the NDIS sustainable for the long haul.