澳大利亚国家残疾人保险计划（NDIS）正面临自推出以来最大规模的结构调整。该计划自2012年启动以来迅速扩张，参与人数从47.5万激增至超过70万人，年度预算也随之从220亿澳元增至540亿澳元[1]。为应对财务压力，政府提议收紧成本控制并削减社会参与资金，削幅最高达50%[1]。
改革背后的驱动因素包括欺诈和不必要支出的增加。2025年不当发放资金达到37亿澳元[1]，促使当局采取更严格的监督措施。与此同时，自NDIS推出以来，自闭症患病率增长了32%[1]，这进一步加重了该计划的财政负担。
残疾人权益倡导者对削减措施表示担忧，担心这将危害残疾人的独立生活和社区参与能力[1]。残疾人权益倡导者、演员兼作家Hannah Diviney表示："任何时候我离开家门，如果没有朋友或父母陪同，这都会产生费用"[1]。澳大利亚国立堪培拉大学副校长兼校长Bill Shorten则指出："真正使残疾困难的是缺乏资金和权力"[1]。NDIS法案已于7月初在众议院通过，参议院调查报告预计于8月14日发布[1]。
Australia's National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is undergoing significant reform as the government seeks to tighten cost controls and reduce funding for social participation activities.[1] Since its introduction in 2012, the program has expanded dramatically, with participant numbers rising from 475,000 to over 700,000, while annual expenditure has surged from A$22 billion to A$54 billion.[1] The government has identified A$3.7 billion in improper payments in 2025 and has proposed cutting social participation funding by up to 50 percent.[1]
While proponents argue the reforms are necessary to combat fraud and unnecessary spending, disability advocates have raised concerns about the impact on vulnerable populations.[1] Bill Shorten, former architect of NDIS policy and now deputy chancellor of the Australian National University at Canberra, stated that "what really makes disability hard is a lack of money and a lack of power."[1] Disability rights advocate Hannah Diviney highlighted the financial barriers faced by people with disabilities, saying "any time I leave the house, if I am not with a friend or a parent, it costs something."[1] The NDIS legislation passed the House of Representatives in early July, with a Senate inquiry report expected on August 14.[1]