More than 550,000 Australians now at centre of NDIS

The NDIS Quarterly Report shows there are now more than 550,000 Australians with disability receiving life changing support from the world leading Scheme. 

The NDIS Quarterly Report for 30 September 2022 shows 554,917 participants are receiving NDIS support, with 23,137 new participants joining the NDIS this quarter. 

National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) CEO Rebecca Falkingham PSM said the report showed the considerable impact the Scheme is having on participants, carers and families.

Figures show: 

  • A 3 per cent increase – from 91 per cent to 94 per cent, of parents and carers of children aged 0 to before starting school who thought the NDIS improved their child’s development at their most recent plan reassessment.
  • A 12 per cent increase – from 61 per cent to 73 per cent, of parents and carers of children starting school to 14 years who felt their child had become more independent as a result of the NDIS at their most recent plan reassessment.
  • A 7 per cent increase – from 36 per cent to 43 per cent, for those aged 15 years and over participating in community and social activities.
  • A 10 per cent increase – from 11 per cent to 21 per cent for those aged 15 to 24 years participating in work.
  • A 10 per cent increase – from 41 per cent to 51 per cent, in employment rates amongst parents and carers the longer the participant is in the Scheme, from entry to the sixth plan reassessment.
  • A 10 per cent increase – from 51 per cent to 61 per cent, for participants aged 25 years and older who felt that their involvement with the NDIS improved their health and wellbeing at their most recent plan reassessment.
  • An 11 per cent increase – from 72 per cent to 83 per cent, of participants aged 25 and over who said the NDIS had helped them with daily living activities at their most recent plan reassessment.
  • Of new participants, 9.4 per cent identified as First Nations Australians and 8.9% identified as being from a Culturally and Linguistically Diverse community.
  •  A 46 per cent decrease in the number of people under the age of 65 in residential aged care since 30 September 2019 (including those who are not participants of the Scheme).

“I am encouraged to see improving employment opportunities for participants entering the workforce and participants increasing their social and community participation – these outcomes demonstrate the social and economic value of the NDIS,” Ms Falkingham said. 

“The continued growth of the numbers of First Nations Australians and those identified as being from a Culturally and Linguistically Diverse community, entering the Scheme is also an important result and a continued focus for the Agency.”

The report also showed the impact of continued fraud and compliance activity, including proactively monitoring and responding to incorrect or unusual claims by registered providers.

This quarter: 

  • the NDIA educated 2,700 registered providers on compliance when claiming.
  • ‘tip-offs’ received by the Agency’s Fraud Reporting and Scams Helpline increased to 3,361 compared to 2,320 for the same period in 2021-22.  

Ms Falkingham also acknowledged the Federal Government’s announcement of the Independent Review of the NDIS to improve the wellbeing of Australians with disability and the scheme’s sustainability.

“We welcome the review and look forward to working with Government to implement any of the recommended improvements to the NDIS.”

Read the latest NDIA Quarterly Report.