Plans to force all National Disability Insurance Scheme participants to have their impairment re-assessed before getting ongoing support are "unnecessary, disruptive and costly," one of the original architects of the program has warned.
Ahead of the final day of a snap inquiry into broad reforms aimed at reducing the cost of the $56 billion support program, the head of disability provider Aruma said adjustments were needed to avoid putting unnecessary strain on disabled Australians.
Under the proposed changes, the government plans to move about 160,000 people off the scheme and onto other yet-to-be-built supports to be run by the states.
All participants' eligibility will be re-assessed based on how much their disability impacts their day-to-day life. Aruma said it broadly supported the changes but the re-assessment was unnecessary, particularly for those with lifelong disability, children in out-of-home care and people receiving supported independent living.
