The 2024 NDIS federal budget: proposals and later changes
The NDIS in the Federal Budget: What is proposed?
By Tristram Peters · Originally published 30 May 2024
Original article
Tristram Peters is Head of Participant Engagement at Clickability, helping participants find and connect with service providers. He also co-hosts the Grow Bold with Disability podcast.
It's that time of the year, with the Australian federal budget dominating our feeds - and the NDIS has again taken centre stage.
Although maths and finance were never my preferred subjects at school, I thought I'd take a swing at deciphering the impacts the federal budget will have on the lives of participants.
The budget's 'moderating the growth' of the NDIS
Both political parties have said that the current rate of growth we're seeing within the NDIS is unsustainable over the long-term, Honestly, the jargon never ends.
In simple terms, the government knows the NDIS is growing, as more participants enter the scheme. It just wants to limit how much it grows by.
Annual growth had been 14 per cent, with the government wanting to curb it 8 per cent... well, for the punters in the room, this budget forecasts 9.2 per cent.
In addition, the government wants to limit the number of top-ups it's giving to participants. This is when someone exhausts their funds before the end of their Plan, so applies for more.
Practically, for participants, this means it's vital to get their NDIS Plans right the first time, using lots of evidence to demonstrate why they need specific supports to help them achieve their goals.
This might seem scary - as someone who's had to fight to get a Plan fixed, I hear you - but good preparation and a great support network (Occupational Therapists are GOLD), you can ensure you get the right Plan, without needing a top-up.
[Clickability update, October 2026: Evidence and professional support can assist preparation, but they do not guarantee a particular decision or remove the need for a later plan change. Check current decision-review information if you disagree with a reviewable decision.]
The NDIS is clamping down on fraud
Like me, you might have received a letter in the post from NDIS Minister Bill Shorten saying that the government is making a big push to clamp down on fraud.
Within the budget, the government has subsequently put a whopping $468.7 million towards fraud prevention, as additional participant support.
Optics aside - I mean, I didn't love getting a letter telling me that fraud was the biggest issue in the NDIS - this effort will likely have no impact on the day-to-day lives of participants.
Unfortunately, it's just pushing the narrative to the mainstream that the NDIS is wasting taxpayer money, when the opposite is true.
[Clickability update, October 2026: This is a historical proposal. Inclusive Employment Australia replaced DES on 1 November 2025. Check current service information rather than treating the program as still awaiting launch.]
Disability employment services are being rebooted
A few years ago, the government recognised that the current model of disability employment services simply wasn't working. Now, the budget is pledging to introduce a new program.
At a cost of $227.6 million over 5 years, the program will work to help people with disabilities both find and keep a job.
Goodbye, Disability Employment Services (DES)!
What does all this mean?
Like always, I'd caution that these changes aren't yet in full practice, so we shouldn't panic. This doesn't mean we should rest on our laurels and stop advocating, but calm minds are necessary.
In reality, it means we need to do everything within our power to get our Plans right first-up and immediately ask to review them if what we receive won't be sufficient.
Clickability editorial update: October 2026
Separate a national forecast from your own decision
A budget forecast describes expected scheme spending, not what your individual plan will contain. Keep the focus on your support needs and any decision letter you receive. Ask for an explanation if the outcome differs from what you expected.
Use current reform information for later changes. Decision-review guidance explains the route for reviewable decisions. Do not delay an actual deadline because a historical article says proposals are not yet in practice.
Explain the policy date before discussing practical steps
Identify the budget year, whether the item was a forecast or funded measure and what subsequent guidance now applies. A historical spending figure is not a current entitlement. Avoid suggesting that a stronger report guarantees the plan or that every decision has the same review route.
Help the person organise the information relevant to their present situation. For employment options, refer to current Inclusive Employment Australia information rather than the old DES transition prediction. Keep national policy discussion distinct from the person’s service choice and funding decision.
Questions readers ask
Are the spending amounts current NDIS budget figures?
No. They relate to the 2024 commentary.
Is the replacement for DES still only a proposal?
No. Inclusive Employment Australia began on 1 November 2025. Official guidance
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