A wide-ranging review of the NDIS has been brought forward in a bid to find improvements to the disability support scheme.
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The review, an election commitment by the Albanese government, was scheduled to begin in 2023 but has been brought forward by a year.
The announcement of the review coincides with new projections for the scheme showing it will cost $8.8 billion more over the next four years.
The scheme is expected to cost as much as $50 billion a year by 2025/26.
NDIS Minister Bill Shorten said the review would help to restore trust in the scheme, but would be more than a cost-cutting exercise.
"Nine years of coalition neglect has left the scheme not in the position which I think Australians would like to see it in," Mr Shorten told reporters in Canberra on Tuesday.
"This review is not about a razor gang and cost cutting, it's about changing and recasting the scheme from one of the cost of everything to the value of what we're getting."
The review will focus on the design and sustainability of the scheme, while also looking at how it could be more responsive and supportive.
An independent panel, chaired by NDIS architect Bruce Bonyhady and formed federal education department secretary Lisa Paul, will lead the review, along with a panel that includes disability advocates.
A report is set to be handed down by the end of October 2023 at the latest, however, changes could be implemented earlier.
Mr Shorten said while the NDIS was a crucial service for many people, it could be improved.
"We can improve the processes and cut out the bureaucracy, but it won't be at the expense of our people with disability and their dreams and their hopes," he said.
"I absolutely want the scheme to be sustainable, I want to see what we can do to moderate the growth-cost trajectory.
"There's a job to be done to make it sustainable, to rein in costs, but (I'm not going to) scare every person with a disability, to be up at midnight wondering if their package is going to get unreasonably cut."
However, the minister ruled out having the age barrier for the scheme increased above 65.
Australian Associated Press
