MS Australia's submission on the NDIS Amendment Bill 2024 draws on input from members of our LEEP and Member Organisations and calls for mandatory co-design in legislative changes, improved co-design approaches by the NDIA, an NDIS Review Implementation Advisory Committee, and clearer delegated legislation. It also recommends revising NDIS support definitions and including a mechanism for internal review of needs assessments to enhance support for people living with MS.
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 inquiry highlights systemic issues in NDIS administration, including inconsistent claims management, inadequate pricing, delayed payments, and disproportionate compliance burdens on registered providers. It calls for clearer pre‑payment rules, risk‑based compliance, improved performance reporting, and a tiered regulatory model. The submission urges the Department to recognise gaps between policy and practice, strengthen two‑way consultation, and address sudden operational changes impacting people with MS and service providers.
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 to the NDIS Evidence Advisory Committee advocates for evidence-based supports to improve outcomes for people with MS. Key recommendations include ensuring access to exercise physiology (2–4 sessions weekly) and smart home appliances to maintain independence and quality of life. It calls for training for NDIS planners, clear guidelines, and preventing arbitrary removal of supports. Emphasis is placed on long-term economic benefits, participant wellbeing, and flexibility in planning and decision-making.
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.
