NDIS participant experience in rural, regional and remote Australia
8 March 2024
NDIS,Rural and Remote
MS Australia's submission to the Joint Standing Committee on the National Disability Insurance Scheme draws on input from members of our LEEP and highlights the challenges faced by NDIS participants in rural, regional, and remote Australia. It emphasises the need for systemic policy changes, improved planning and assessment processes, enhanced resources and training for health professionals, and increased awareness and understanding among NDIA staff about progressive neurological conditions like MS. The submission includes case studies and specific recommendations to improve the NDIS experience for people living with MS.
MS Australia’s submission to the 2025–26 NDIS Annual Pricing Review highlights that current NDIS pricing is inconsistent, inflexible and fails to reflect the real cost of supporting people with progressive neurological conditions. The submission recommends differentiated and sustainable pricing, removal of quarterly funding periods, increased prices for therapy, support coordination, plan management and registered providers, and transferring pricing responsibility to IHACPA to ensure transparent, evidence‑based and independent pricing across the sector.
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.
