Treasurer Jim Chalmers has delivered the 2025-26 Budget, as the country waits for the election to be called.
And it looks like funding for foundational supports made the cut.
A number of announcements were made that will directly impact people with disability, including:
- $364.5 million over five years to reform the Information Linkages and Capacity Building program in general supports for people with disability. According to the Budget papers, “these supports will complement additional foundational supports to be co‑funded with states and territories”.
- $42.2 million to deliver the National Autism Strategy
- $17.1 million to establish the Accessible Australia program
- $151.0 million over four years to enhance the National Disability Insurance Agency’s fraud detecting information technology system
- $17.1 million to help the NDIA to detect and respond to fraud and non‑compliant payments
The Treasurer also used budget night to confirm the NDIS is on track to meet its 8 per cent growth target.
Other announcements that will impact people with disability include:
- Tax cuts for all taxpayers, kicking in from 1 July 2026
- An extra $1.8 billion in funding for public hospitals
- $7.9 billion to improve bulk-billing under Medicare
- A reduction in the price of PBS-listed medicines to no more than $25 per script
- $644 million to establish 50 new Medicare Urgent Care Clinics
What does the disability community think?
People with Disability Australia (PWDA) welcomed the funding for foundational supports – but added that the community needs clarity on the future of these supports.
“Seeing Foundational Supports in the budget is important. But we need more detail on how a long-term agreement will be struck with the states and territories. These supports—outside of the NDIS—are critical for people with disability to live independently and be part of our communities, especially for those who have been exited from or never had access to the Scheme,” said PWDA Deputy CEO Megan Spindler-Smith.
“People with disability deserve the security of a long-term, legislated commitment from federal and state and territory governments to a Foundational Supports framework because the NDIS cannot be the only lifeboat in the ocean.”
With the election approaching, PWDA called on all political parties and candidates to make clear, measurable commitments to the rights of people with disability, including:
- A long-term agreement for nationally consistent foundational supports
- Investment in accessible housing and targeted responses to family and domestic violence and disaster preparedness and responsiveness
- Full funding and safeguarding of the NDIS and disability advocacy
- Reform of disability rights laws and a Human Rights Act.
Responding to the budget, Samantha Hunter, CEO of Occupational Therapy Australia (OTA), said the “glaring omission” is allied health.
“The government claims it’s addressing urgent health needs, yet continues to ignore the allied health sector, leaving thousands of Australians struggling to access essential care,” she said.
“Shifting support for children with autism and developmental challenges from the NDIS to foundational services that are not yet established is reckless without adequate transitional arrangements. Families are left hanging by a thread, pushed to breaking point as state governments play political hot potato and schools scramble without funding, resources, or clear guidance.
“More than 1,200 NDIS participants each week are receiving distressing letters, demanding rapid reassessment of their eligibility, leaving nearly half facing their vital support being withdrawn. This budget offers no solutions – only deepening anxiety and uncertainty for families and practitioners.”