NDIS Reforms: Balancing Costs & Mental Health Support

0:00Mark Butler, the National Disability Insurance Scheme Minister, is dropping major reforms today at the National Press Club to reign in the programs, exploding costs. The NDIS is growing way too fast, and the plan aims the cap that at 5-6% a year by 2036, saving billions in the long run. These changes come amid big worries for folks with psychosocial disabilities like mental health conditions. Half a million Australians are stuck in limbo right now, outside the scheme with no solid supports, even though feds and states agreed last year too. Build new foundational services beyond the NDIS. Mental health advocates are sounding the alarm, pushing Butler to protect current access inside the scheme, while finally delivering those outside. Options. They fear psychosocial support could get slashed as the easy target for savings, leaving people worse off and shifting strain to hospitals. Examples on the table include mandatory provider registration, tighter pricing, plan limits,

1:01and curves on supported independent living. States are digging in their heels, warning against cost shifting without extra federal cash. New South Wales premiere, Chris Minnes called it, unsustainable taxpayer double dipping. Health ministers meet in September to hash out foundational supports in the next mental health agreement, but with states resisting a fast track and opposition questioning where the gaps get filled, this could spark fresh federal state battles unless everyone steps up. That's the story for today, Sydney News Today, Driven by AI, I'm Corey with The Story.