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The federal government introduced a plan last month to halve social and community participation funding for NDIS participants, aiming to save $13.2 billion by June 2030. The changes would affect programs used by people with Down’s syndrome and other disabilities.
The GuardianThe federal government introduced a proposal last month under which NDIS minister Mark Butler would slash all social and community participation budgets by 50% for participants. 2bn from July to June 2030. Mark Butler stated the decision to reduce community participation funding was made to protect core daily supports such as showering, meal preparation, hygiene and continence.
A government spokesperson stated not everyone will be subject to a 50% budget cut because some participants were already not using 100% of their funding allocation. The NDIS cost increased from around $20bn a year at full implementation in 2020 to $50bn this financial year. The government has estimated the NDIS will cost $117bn by 2036-37 if no changes are made.
Social and community participation budgets have accounted for around a quarter of the annual NDIS budget since 2021, according to government data. Nearly a third of individual NDIS budgets for people with Down’s syndrome go towards social and community participation.
On average, about $28,900 a year goes to each of the 9,000 or so participants with Down’s syndrome for social and community participation programs.
Joe Barham is 22 years old and has Down’s syndrome. He has participated in an NDIS program to learn barista skills and spend time in the community for more than four years. Joe Barham’s favourite drink to make for customers is an iced chocolate.
When he is not learning to be a barista, he works in the community garden or collects cans to recycle for extra change. ” Kerry Barham further stated: “We’re trying to teach him money skills, communication skills, independence ...
5 hours from Adelaide. His mother Kylie said the programs are crucial for his development and inclusion in the community. ” The latest NDIA quarterly report showed participants used about 86% of their allocated social and community participation budgets in the quarter to March 2026.
Before the NDIS, the Barham family covered program costs themselves where they could. ” Kerry Barham further stated: “He’s a very social individual ... ” The government’s proposed NDIS changes have been under a Senate inquiry’s microscope this month.
The government’s own reform advisory committee warned of the “material harm” the proposed changes could cause people with disabilities. Disability discrimination commissioner Rosemary Kayess stated that measures to reduce flexibility and tailored supports could “promote or maintain segregation and institutionalisation, rather than supporting inclusion in the community”.
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