Has the NDIS affected the overall use of formal services or caring hours?

CHE RESEARCH BITES

By Bernice Hua Ma, Samia Badji, Gang Chen and Dennis Petrie

06 June, 2025

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) has transformed many lives since launching in 2013. It replaced the old system where state governments received lump sums to fund disability services with a new national approach that's more tailored to individual needs, giving people with significant disabilities greater choice and control over their care. However, critics worry that people who don't qualify for the NDIS are being left without support as state governments cut back on other disability services.

A recent study examined whether NDIS availability actually improved life for carers of people with severe disabilities. Researchers compared data from Australia's main disability survey between 2015 and 2018, using the scheme's gradual rollout across different areas to measure changes. They looked at whether carers could reduce their caring hours, find employment more easily, or participate more in social activities. The study also examined whether people with severe disabilities were receiving more professional support services.

Surprisingly, the study found no significant improvements for carers in the three years after the NDIS arrived. Carers weren't working more, socialising more, or spending less time caring. People with severe disabilities also weren't receiving more professional support services overall.

The researchers noted their survey had relatively few participants, which might have made it harder to detect changes. These findings suggest that whilst the NDIS may have helped some people, others are missing out—possibly because governments cut funding for other disability services as the NDIS was introduced. The study highlights the need for policymakers to ensure the system is fair and develop better strategies to support carers.

Ma, B. H., Badji, S., Chen, G., & Petrie, D. (2025). Exploring the impact of a personalised disability reform on people with disability and their primary carers: Evidence from the Australian national disability insurance scheme. PLoS One, 20(5), e0321377.

Find out more about the Disadvantage and health research theme.

CHE Research Bites are short, easy-to-understand summaries of our recent academic papers highlighting new evidence and insights on topical issues in the health and healthcare sectors.

Interested in hearing the latest from the Centre for Health Economics? Sign up to our newsletter. Follow us on X and LinkedIn.