The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) would like to reassure people with disability, their families and carers that any autistic person eligible for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) will continue to receive the reasonable and necessary supports they need.
The NDIS is already providing significant support to over 57,000 Australians with autism (September 30, 2018 Quarterly Report).
On average, an autistic NDIS participant receives $32,800 in annualised NDIS funding which has remained broadly consistent during the NDIS trial and transition period. Further, autistic children aged under seven receive on average $16,700 per year under the NDIS.
By comparison, under the Helping Children with Autism (HCWA) program eligible children with autism aged 0-6 receive a maximum of $12,000 which can be used over multiple years until the child turns seven. HWCA is one of a number of Commonwealth programs transitioning to the NDIS.
While an individual’s NDIS funding can change over time, increasing or decreasing depending on their support needs and progress against individual goals, claims of the NDIA clawing back support outlays for developmental / autism conditions, particularly in children, are not correct.
The NDIA has been working with the NDIS Autism Advisory Group, which includes autism experts, service providers and people with lived experience on how to deliver the best outcomes for adults and children with autism.