Almost 145,000 Australians will lose support for autism under NDIS reforms, documents reveal

Internal government documents reveal that nearly 145,000 Australians with autism are expected to be removed from the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) by 2030. The government aims to narrow the scheme's focus to complex needs to curb rising costs, sparking concerns about support for those under 18.
Why it matters
The policy shift represents a significant change in social welfare access for a large segment of the population, raising questions about disability support equity.
The government hopes a ‘functional capacity test’ will reduce NDIS claimants by 241,000 by 2031. The government hopes a ‘functional capacity test’ will reduce NDIS claimants by 241,000 by 2031. National disability insurance scheme Almost 145,000 Australians will lose support for autism under NDIS reforms, documents reveal Internal estimates show 144,600 people will be taken off the scheme by 2030, many of them under 18
The framing focuses heavily on the negative impact of the cuts and the potential loss of support for vulnerable groups.
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