The disability sector is navigating a significant period of reform. Drawing on her work with National Disability Services (NDS), CEO Julia shares insights into the key changes underway across the NDIS and what they may mean for participants, families and providers.
The disability sector continues to evolve at a remarkable pace. Across the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), a number of reforms are moving forward, creating opportunities and challenges for participants, families and providers.
Through my involvement with National Disability Services (NDS), Australia’s peak body for disability service providers, I have a close view of these developments. NDS has been supporting providers to navigate the complexity of the current reform landscape through its new Reform Radar updates, which bring together policy changes, consultations and parliamentary processes.
While each reform has its own focus, taken together they represent a significant period of change for the sector. Below are some of the key reform areas currently being discussed across government and the sector.
Integrity and safeguarding reforms
One major reform area is the proposed NDIS Amendment (Integrity and Safeguarding) Bill. The intention behind these changes is to strengthen oversight across the Scheme and ensure stronger safeguards for participants.
A consistent message from NDS is the need for fairness and consistency across the provider market. High-quality providers invest heavily in governance, workforce development, safeguarding and compliance. When parts of the market operate under different rules or without sufficient oversight, it places pressure on those working hard to deliver safe, person-centred supports. .
Strengthening integrity and safeguarding settings is essential — not only for participant safety and confidence, but also to help create a stable and sustainable provider market.
Pricing and market sustainability
Another key reform area is pricing. The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) is currently progressing a three-year pricing reform program, alongside its annual price review. Commitment to independent pricing is really important; to avoid conflicts of interest and increase transparency. In the meantime, we agree with NDS; that registered Providers whose costs are higher should have those costs reflected in pricing.
NDS has been engaging closely with the NDIA to ensure pricing decisions reflect the real cost of delivering safe, high-quality supports. Sustainable and independent pricing is critical if providers are to maintain strong, capable workforces and continue offering the level of support that participants and families rely on every day.
Foundational supports and future system design
The design and implementation of foundational supports is also an important part of the broader reform agenda. The NDIS Review identified that NDIS funding is growing at a level that is unsustainable and suggested that, for some people, their needs might be better met in other ways. Described as foundational supports, they are intended to complement the NDIS and ensure people with disability and their families can access appropriate assistance across different parts of the support system.
The first major change will be the introduction of the Thriving Kids program later on this year. As this work progresses, the details of how these supports will be funded, commissioned and delivered will be critical to their success.
Provider registration and oversight
There are also proposals to expand provider registration requirements within the NDIS. This is intended to strengthen oversight across the market and ensure more providers operate within the Scheme’s regulatory framework. The move towards compulsory registration for platform Providers and Supported Independent Living Providers later this year is a good step forward. Both NDS and Ability Options support the move towards registration at a proportionate level for everyone who provides services under the NDIS
For participants and families, this can help build confidence that providers are operating under consistent standards and appropriate safeguards.
What this means for our community
While the reform landscape can feel complex, my focus as Ability Options CEO remains clear. Every day I see our teams making a real difference in people’s lives — supporting independence, building skills, and creating meaningful opportunities in communities across Australia.
These reforms, when implemented effectively, have the potential to strengthen the sector and improve outcomes for the people we support.
As these changes unfold, we will continue to work closely with NDS and other sector partners to ensure the voices of providers and participants are heard.
My commitment to our community is that, as the system evolves, Ability Options will continue delivering high-quality support, advocating for a safe and sustainable sector, and keeping the needs and aspirations of participants front and centre.
Julia
