Projects

MS Australia’s submission to the Support at Home Program inquiry outlines that the program does not adequately meet the needs of older people living with disability, including people with MS. It highlights insufficient funding, lack of disability-specific supports, high co-contributions, complex hardship processes, pricing inconsistencies, thin markets, and transition challenges. MS Australia recommends reforms to improve equity with the NDIS, increase funding flexibility, strengthen hardship assistance, support carers, address regional service gaps, and ensure older Australians can remain independent at home.

MS Australia’s submission to the National Transport Commission on the Assessing Fitness to Drive Standards, informed by the experiences of LEEP members, recommends that the updated Standards better recognise the variable and fluctuating nature of MS symptoms. The Standards should also support fair, practical and person-centred decision-making; provide clearer guidance for people living with MS, carers, health professionals and licensing authorities; and ensure review processes are responsive to changes in an individual’s circumstances.

MS Australia’s submission on the Draft Revised Whole Journey Guide acknowledges the Guide’s intent and potential value. However, drawing on feedback from our LEEP, we recommend that the Guide be substantially revised to improve clarity, usability and accessibility, including through a shorter structure, a plain-language companion guide, expanded air travel content, and a stronger focus on practical accessibility measures.

MS Australia submission supports strengthening the NDIS but warns the Bill risks reducing rights and flexibility for people with MS. It highlights concerns with stricter eligibility, assessments, informal support assumptions, pricing changes, and decision-making powers. The submission calls for stronger safeguards, consultation, workforce training, and human rights compliance to ensure reforms are person‑centred, evidence‑based, and responsive to complex, fluctuating conditions like MS.

MS Australia’s submission to the NDIA raises significant concerns about the NDIS proposed new framework planning rules. MS Australia calls for delayed implementation to allow for genuine co‑design, better staff training, participant review of draft support need assessments, removal of informal supports in NDIS plan budgeting, and clear, accessible guidance.

MS Australia’s 2026–27 Pre‑Budget Submission seeks investment to address rising MS prevalence and growing economic impacts. It calls for funding to expand MS research and data infrastructure, increase access to MS Nurses, improve NDIS pricing and planning, strengthen the disability and aged care workforce, and ensure equitable supports for older people with disability. The submission outlines four priority areas: research, nursing, disability reform, and aged care system improvements.

MS Australia’s submission to the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts advocates for the Transport Standards and guidelines to require regular disability awareness and inclusion training for all public transport staff; procedures for handling equipment disruptions; procedures for crowd management to assist people with disability when boarding and department public transport; and amending Part 15 to prohibit locking accessible toilets, ensuring they remain available for people with disability, including those living with MS.

MS Australia’s submission, informed by LEEP member experiences, recommends updating the Disability Discrimination Act to clearly define disability and discrimination, explicitly include conditions like MS, and introduce a positive duty requiring organisations to proactively prevent discrimination. It also calls for improved workplace adjustment processes and a national education campaign to raise disability awareness.

MS Australia’s 2025-26 Pre-Budget Submission advocates for strategic investments to support over 33,300 Australians living with MS. Key funding asks include $8M for a National MS Biobank, $300M for a Neurological Research Mission, and $550K for neurological data improvements; $6.5M to expand MS nursing services, a national strategy, and training programs; Improved NDIS pricing, workforce, assistive technology, and income support; and Increased funding for disability-specific aged care services.

MS Australia’s submission to the review of Australia’s Disability Strategy draws on input form members of our LEEP and emphasises improving support for people with MS. Key recommendations include clearer goals aligned with global standards, increased workplace support, and meaningful involvement of people with disabilities through co-design. The submissions also advocates for accessible information and coordinated government action to address disparities in service delivery and ensure accountability.