Professor Bruce Bonyhady AM
Ms Lisa Paul AO PSM
NDIS Review Panel co-chairs 

NDIS Review Secretariat
Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
PO Box 6500
Canberra ACT 2600  

SUPPORT A BETTER NDIS FOR PEOPLE LIVING WITH MS

Dear NDIS Review Panel co-chairs

MS Australia and the community we represent and support are campaigning for improvements to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) to better meet the needs of people living with multiple sclerosis (MS). 

To improve the NDIS for the MS community there are six essential areas for reform: 

1. HEAR OUR VOICE: 

Ensure better representation of people with MS and other progressive neurological conditions within the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA). 

1.6 million Australians live with progressive, degenerative neurological or neuromuscular conditions. MS Australia is calling for the neurological voice to be incorporated into the advisory and consultative structure of the NDIA, to ensure fair representation and better support for our community. 

2. TIMELY NDIS ACCESS 

People living with MS need improved and early support to access the NDIS. Unfortunately, the early intervention pathway for adults is unclear and not well understood by planners and assessors. 

MS Australia is calling for increased support for people accessing and navigating the NDIS, plan reviews to be conducted on an as needs basis, and for an improved, clearly defined and streamlined early intervention pathway for adults with disability. 

3. A HELPING HAND 

All Australians with MS should have access to the assistive technology and accommodation they need. 

MS Australia is calling for improved and timely access to assistive technology and accommodation with a focus on participant choice and control, the introduction of a single, nationally consistent assistive technology program to support people with disability who are not eligible for the NDIS, together with a renewed focus on supporting young people with disability to leave residential aged care and an increase in the availability of age-appropriate specialist disability accommodation 

4. LIFE CHANGING CARE 

All Australians with MS should have access to MS nursing care. MS Nurses are an integral part of the multidisciplinary healthcare team of specialist healthcare professionals providing support, education, advice, and care for people with MS.  

MS Australia is calling for the NDIS to extend the Delivery of Disability Related Health Supports by a Nurse category to include the delivery of supports by an MS Nurse for participants living with MS. 

5. DON’T DISCRIMINATE 

All Australians with MS should be entitled to support from the NDIS regardless of their age. MS Australia recommends Section 22 of the National Disability Insurance Scheme Act 2013  be amended to remove the age limit for accessing the NDIS. 

In addition, the aged care system must include equity for people living with a disability, as per recommendation 72 of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety.   

6. INCLUSIVE & EQUITABLE DISABILITY CARE 

All Australians living with disability are entitled to the supports and services they need to live a full and independent life. 

Beyond the NDIS Review, MS Australia is calling for a review of disability programs funded outside of the NDIS with an emphasis on streamlining programs and improving access and an immediate increase in the rates of the Disability Support Pension and Jobseeker Payment together with a more person-centred focus on the delivery of income payments to people with disability.