Australia Plans $2B Program Diverting Children With Autism From NDIS

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) in Australia is facing sustainability challenges due to a rapid increase in participants diagnosed with autism and developmental delays. Disability Minister Mark Butler announced the introduction of 'Thriving Kids,' a $2 billion program aimed at supporting children with mild to moderate developmental delays and autism outside the NDIS, to help moderate future growth and return the scheme to its original intent. Current data shows that approximately 40 percent of NDIS participants have autism, with 56,000 of the 78,600 new participants in the past year having autism as their primary diagnosis, highlighting concerns about the scheme's long-term affordability. Experts like Autism Awareness Australia's CEO Nicole Rogerson urge the government to tighten eligibility criteria to maintain public confidence and ensure the scheme supports those with the most profound disabilities. Mr. Butler indicated future reforms could include lowering the scheme's growth target from 8 percent to around 5 to 6 percent annually, aligning it more closely with other government programs like aged care and Medicare. These changes aim to balance support for disabled Australians while containing escalating costs that threaten to outstrip major federal expenditures.