NDIS Spending vs Budget: Are Participants Getting the Support They Need?
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) plays a crucial role in supporting Australians with disabilities. However, how well does the funding system align with actual participant needs? Do participants receive enough funding, or is there a gap between budget allocation and actual spending?
In this article, we break down the latest NDIS participant spending vs budget data (as of September 30, 2024) to uncover key insights. From state-by-state participant distribution to spending disparities across disability types, we explore whether NDIS funds are effectively meeting participant needs.
NDIS Participants by State: Who is Accessing the Most Support?
As of September 30, 2024, there were 680,033 active NDIS participants across Australia. The breakdown by state is as follows:
| State | Participants | % of Total Participants |
| NSW | 202,154 | 29.7% |
| VIC | 182,330 | 26.8% |
| QLD | 146,354 | 21.5% |
| WA | 59,224 | 8.7% |
| SA | 58,135 | 8.5% |
| TAS | 14,514 | 2.1% |
| ACT | 11,141 | 1.6% |
| NT | 6,181 | 0.9% |
📊 NDIS Participants by State
👉 Key Takeaway: The highest proportion of NDIS participants are in New South Wales (29.7%) and Victoria (26.8%), aligning with these states’ larger populations. However, certain regions, such as South Australia, have a higher proportion of NDIS participants relative to their total population, indicating a greater demand for disability services.
National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA). (2024). NDIS Quarterly Report to Disability Ministers – 30 September 2024. Retrieved from https://www.ndis.gov.au/about-us/publications/quarterly-reports
NDIS Spending vs Budget: Are Participants Underspending or Lacking Funds?
A major question surrounding the NDIS is whether the allocated budgets meet actual participant needs. Below is a comparison of average spending vs allocated budget per participant by disability type:
| Disability Type | Avg. Spend ($) | Avg. Budget ($) | % of Budget Spent |
| Autism | 36,500 | 47,000 | 77.7% |
| Intellectual Disability | 108,200 | 129,000 | 83.9% |
| Developmental Delay | 13,900 | 22,000 | 63.2% |
| Psychosocial Disability | 85,100 | 109,000 | 78.1% |
| Hearing Impairment | 9,700 | 18,000 | 53.9% |
| Other Neurological | 147,500 | 184,000 | 80.2% |
| Other Physical | 70,700 | 97,000 | 72.9% |
| Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) | 160,400 | 195,000 | 82.3% |
| Cerebral Palsy | 158,800 | 186,000 | 85.4% |
| Down Syndrome | 127,200 | 148,000 | 85.9% |
| Multiple Sclerosis | 102,300 | 132,000 | 77.5% |
| Stroke | 146,400 | 187,000 | 78.3% |
| Spinal Cord Injury | 166,400 | 210,000 | 79.2% |
📊 NDIS Spending vs Budget by Disability Type
👉 Key Takeaways:
- Most NDIS participants spend below their allocated budgets. This raises concerns about service accessibility—are participants not using funds due to administrative barriers, lack of service providers, or personal choice?
- Hearing impairment participants spend only 53.9% of their budget. This indicates potential gaps in awareness or service availability.
- Participants with Down Syndrome, Intellectual Disability, and Cerebral Palsy utilize the highest percentages of their budgets (85%+). This suggests that funding is more accurately aligned with their needs.
National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA). (2024). Participant Numbers and Plan Budgets Data – September 2024. Retrieved from https://dataresearch.ndis.gov.au/datasets/participant-datasets
Factors Influencing NDIS Spending and Budget Utilization
Several factors impact how much of their allocated budget participants actually use:
1️ Lack of Access to Services
- Rural and remote areas have fewer service providers, which makes it harder for participants to use their funding.
- Some disability types require specialized care that is not always available.
2️ Administrative Barriers
- Many participants struggle with NDIS plan management, which leads to unspent budgets.
- Complex approval processes can delay service access.
3️ Changing Needs
- Some participants might require more support than anticipated, leading to budget shortfalls.
- Others may see improvements in their condition, reducing their need for services.
4️ Self-Managed vs. Plan-Managed Funding
- Participants who self-manage their NDIS plans may have a harder time finding and coordinating services.
- Plan-managed participants have greater assistance but may face longer wait times.
How Can NDIS Participants Maximize Their Budget?
To ensure that NDIS participants fully utilize their budgets and get the support they need, they should consider the following:
✔ Work with an experienced NDIS provider like Careable to access a full range of services.
✔ Explore various supports, including:
- Assistance with Daily Living (ADL)
- Therapy Coordination
- Community Participation
- Supported Independent Living (SIL)
- Respite & In-Home Care
- Community Nursing
- Assistive Technology Support
✔ Review NDIS plans regularly to ensure funds are allocated where they are most needed.
✔ Seek NDIS plan management support if struggling with budget allocation or access to providers.
Final Thoughts: Are NDIS Participants Getting Enough Support?
The latest data reveals a consistent underspending trend, which may indicate that NDIS budgets are not being fully utilized due to access issues, administrative complexity, or personal choice.
While many participants receive adequate funding, it’s critical to ensure that NDIS plans are well-managed so individuals can fully benefit from their allocated budgets.
Want to Make the Most of Your NDIS Plan?
At Careable, we help NDIS participants maximize their plans by offering comprehensive disability support services. Contact us today to find out how we can assist you.
📞 Call 1300 DECIDE | 📧 Email cx@careable.com.au
Visit Careable’s NDIS Services
