What the 2025 Federal Election Might Mean for the NDIS
The NDIS must be sustainable
While there’s a lot of varied opinions, one thing almost everybody agrees on is that the scheme must be sustainable to survive. A big part of the government’s plan to achieve this is via ‘foundational supports’. You may remember these are a tier of supports sitting between mainstream services (which will be delivered outside the NDIS) and more disability-specific services (which will be delivered through the NDIS).If all goes ahead, foundational supports will fall into two categories (general and targeted supports) and include a range of services such as:
- Capacity building supports and information services (general)
- Navigation services (general)
- Individual advocacy support (general)
- Aids and equipment (targeted)
- Psychosocial disability supports (targeted)
- Early intervention supports (targeted).
According to the Disability Reform Roadmap, foundational supports are scheduled to roll out in a phased fashion from July 2025.
States and territories pushing back
However, the states and territories are yet to agree on the foundational supports plan – including how costs will be shared.
In February, Federal Minister for Health and Aged Care Mark Butler said foundational supports were “on track”, and that the government was “very pleased with the progress we’ve made to changes to the NDIS rules.”
Foundational supports are a key topic of interest in Australia’s 2025 Federal election
However, advocacy group People with Disability Australia (PWDA) say the state and territory governments are delaying the rollout of foundational supports, leaving people with disability without access to essential services.
Deputy CEO of PWDA Megan Spindler-Smith said foundational supports need to be co-designed and well-funded, noting the NDIS “was never meant to be the only support system for people with disability, but … it remains the only option for far too many people with disability.”
PWDA has called for a commitment to funding of foundational supports from state and territory governments, and from federal candidates to hold them accountable.
What NDIS policies have the major parties actually committed to?
What NDIS policies have the major parties actually committed to?
The Liberal Party’s key priorities statement includes three commitments to the NDIS and people with disability:
- Guaranteed NDIS funding to support people with permanent and significant disabilities.
- Giving people with disability practical support to help them find and keep employment.
- Eliminating waste and fraud from the scheme so taxpayers are getting value for money.
The party’s NDIS spokesperson Michael Sukkar has denied allegations that the opposition would cut NDIS funding, saying “this was just a false accusation from a desperate government.”
Their messaging about scrutiny and waste eradication taps into concerns about inefficiencies in the system, and some warn this approach could result in reduced support and job losses.
The Coalition has also proposed public service cuts (with both major parties flagging cuts to the NDIS workforce), which is “deeply concerning”, say PWDA.
“The Coalition’s plans to slash 41,000 jobs from the public sector will also threaten the implementation of NDIS reforms and the rollout of foundational supports,” they write.
PWDA President Trinity Ford said they continue to be “concerned that cuts to the NDIS remain on the table under the Coalition.”
The Labor Party's Stance
The incumbent Labor government has not detailed any specific plans for the NDIS in their current campaign. However, they say the “significant reforms and investment” of Albanese’s government “have put the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) back on track.”
Amanda Rishworth, Minister for Social Services and the NDIS, said the government is committed to ensuring funds allocated to NDIS participants get to them and are “spent in a meaningful way that makes a difference in their lives.”
They note data from late February shows NDIS expenditure is tracking approximately $700 million below the initial forecast for this financial year. This shows scheme costs are stabilising, they say, and are tracking to reach National Cabinet’s 8% growth target by 1 July 2026.
A joint statement from various disability advocacy organisations said people with disability were “invisible” in Labor’s 2025-2026 Federal Budget, claiming it “raises more questions than answers about how people with disability are going to be supported through the government’s major reforms to the NDIS.”
They note the Budget outlines NDIS cuts, with projections for “almost $1 billion in immediate savings over the next financial year.”
And while $364.5 million has been earmarked for foundational supports for people no longer eligible for NDIS funding, the Budget does not specify whether this is contingent upon getting matched funding from the states and territories.
The Greens standpoint
The Greens do not have a specific policy about the NDIS, but their election campaign includes three pillars related to disability rights and advocacy.
- Supporting disability leadership – for example by establishing an Election Access Fund to support people with disability to participate in elections and providing funding for disability advocacy organisations.
- Increase access and opportunity for disabled people – by investing in inclusive education, disability awareness training for healthcare professionals, and accessible public communications platforms, among other things.
- Strengthen advocacy and representation – for example by developing a dedicated online discussion platform for the disability community, setting a 20% quota for employment of people with disability, and establishing a Federal Disability Minister and a Department of Disability Services.
The Greens did not support the new NDIS legislation, but did recommend that the Government should ensure foundational supports are “comprehensively defined and implemented in states and territories.”
Perspectives of disability advocacy groups
Disability advocacy organisations have been vocal in the election discourse, stressing the need for a sustainable and effective NDIS.1. People with Disability Australia
PWDA launched its 2025 Federal Election Platform on April 3, urging all political parties to commit to real change for people with disabilities. The platform outlines seven core priorities to ensure full inclusion of people with disability. These include:
- a fair and accessible NDIS
- economic and social participation
- housing, transport, and education inclusion
- upholding rights through co-designed policy.
PWDA is also reminding parties that Australians with disability represent a significant proportion of voters and deserve commitments—not just rhetoric.
Representation and advocacy are important issues for many people with disability
2. National Disability Services (NDS)
NDS, the peak body for disability service providers, is calling for stronger guarantees around provider sustainability. Their key message is clear: a sustainable NDIS relies on sustainable, high-quality providers.
Among other things, they are urging political leaders to commit to:
- fair, independent and transparent pricing
- a clear reform roadmap
- strong and balanced regulation
- partnership with the sector for long-term solutions
- universal NDIS provider registration
- better workforce funding and working conditions
- more jobs for people with disability.
3. Children and Young People with Disability Australia (CYDA)
CYDA’s election platform focuses on the needs of young Australians with disability and their families, highlighting systemic gaps in education, mental health, and employment.
Their priorities include:
- building an education system that is truly inclusive
- equitable access to timely supports
- investment in individual advocacy
- reducing the impact of the cost-of-living crisis on young people with disability.
Your vote, your voice
As the election approaches, the future of the NDIS remains a critical issue. Now is the time to think about how you will vote. To make an informed choice, you can:
Read the various platforms
Ask local candidates where they stand
Engage with disability support and advocacy organisations.
The Australian Electoral Commission has detailed information about voting for people with disability.
Get in touch
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