TL;DR (Helpful Content first)

– Grattan Institute’s 2025 report proposes: (1) firmer eligibility boundaries; (2) change how claims are managed; (3) establish robust foundational supports; (4) a new National Disability Agreement.

– Aim: make the scheme sustainable while protecting people with significant, permanent disability.

– Expect debate about children and psychosocial cohorts; design details will matter.

Why this matters now

The report arrives amid cost pressure and stalled inter‑governmental negotiations on foundational supports.

Understanding the proposals helps families and providers prepare for policy settings likely to shape reviews and budgets.

The four proposals in plain English

1) Eligibility boundaries: clearer criteria so the NDIS focuses on who it was designed for; complementary supports for others.

2) Claims and budgets: more consistent decision‑making and flexibility so funds deliver outcomes — not red tape.

3) Foundational supports: a strong, disability‑specific tier outside individual packages to reduce demand on the NDIS.

4) New National Disability Agreement: clarify who funds what, and lift accountability across governments.

What could change for you

Families: expect more emphasis on functional impact and mainstream/community pathways where needs are lower‑intensity.

Providers: closer scrutiny of value, clearer expectations about evidence, and opportunities in community‑delivered programs.

Practical steps (now)

Evidence readiness: maintain current assessments, goal‑linked outcomes data, and risk‑reduction notes.

Service mix: prepare a ‘dual pathway’ plan (NDIS vs foundational/community) per participant.

Advocacy: follow consultations; offer case studies that demonstrate outcome gains from specific supports.

Mini case example (Psychosocial)

A participant’s plan shifts focus from ad‑hoc community hours to structured routine‑building and peer support delivered via a community program, with escalation criteria for clinical review if risk rises.

FAQs

1) Is Grattan’s report government policy?

Not by itself. It’s influential analysis. Governments may adopt, adapt or reject recommendations after consultation.

2) Will eligibility tighten for children?

That’s the direction of debate. Safeguards depend on the strength of foundational supports and transitional arrangements.

3) What can providers do to prepare?

Sharpen functional evidence, track outcomes, and build partnerships with schools, community groups and PHNs for non‑NDIS options.

4) How do families protect continuity of care?

Keep reports current, document what works, and ask providers for simple metrics (attendance, participation, incident reduction, skill generalisation).

About Careable (Author/Publisher)

Careable is an NDIS-registered provider in Melbourne specialising in psychosocial disability supports, including Supported Independent Living (SIL), in-home supports, community access, and hospital-to-home. Our C.A.R.E. values—Compassion, Accountability, Respect, Empowerment—guide every interaction.

Contact: 1300 DECIDE · cx@careable.com.au

Additional insights & practical tips

Create a one-page handout for participants/families that summarises key changes and what to do next. Attach it to service agreements and review packs.

Standardise progress notes with an outcomes mini-template: goal, activity delivered, measurable indicator, and next-step. Consistency improves review outcomes and internal quality audits.

Implement a monthly utilisation check: planned hours vs delivered hours vs outcomes achieved. Escalate early if variance exceeds 15%.

Build local partnerships (schools, PHNs, councils, community orgs) to offer non‑NDIS options that protect continuity of support when plans are tight.

Maintain a living register of evidence (assessments, letters, logs). Time-stamp entries and summarise changes since the last review to help decision-makers.

Opportunities & risks by cohort

Children: risk of service gaps if foundational supports lag—mitigate with school-led group programs and parent coaching.

Psychosocial: ensure escalation pathways to clinical care are explicit; combine peer support with routine-building supports.

Remote/regional: invest in hybrid models (telehealth + outreach) and local workforce pipelines.

What to watch in 2025–26

State–Commonwealth agreements on funding responsibilities; expect milestones tied to foundational supports capacity.

Decision-support tools for planners that standardise evidence thresholds and budget setting.

How providers can positively influence policy

Submit data-rich case studies to consultations; show cost avoided (hospital, crisis episodes) when certain supports are funded.

Join local alliances with schools, PHNs and councils to pilot foundational options with clear evaluation frameworks.

More FAQs

How should we communicate changes with participants/families?

Use plain language summaries, give real examples of what stays the same vs what changes, and provide contact points for follow-up. Offer both a short one-pager and a longer web article for those who want detail.

What data should we track monthly to stay review-ready?

Plan utilisation %, cancellations/no-shows, first-time-right claims %, incidents and follow-ups, and two or three outcome indicators per funded goal.

What’s the safest way to experiment with new service mixes?

Pilot with a small cohort, define success metrics in advance, and run a 6–8 week review cycle before wider rollout.

Resources & further reading

• NDIS (official) – Pricing arrangements, provider news, quarterly reports
• NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission – Practice standards and provider guidance
• State health/education portals – local foundational supports and child development services
• Careable blog – guides on plan reviews, billing & claims, and outcomes note templates