Media Release by Senator the Hon Linda Reynolds CSC

New survey results show how the NDIS is improving the lives of Australians

The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) has released the latest survey results measuring how the lives of participants, families and carers have changed from when they first joined the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

The Outcomes Framework survey results show the NDIS has helped improve the lives of participants in multiple areas of their lives across all age groups.

  • 91% of parents of children aged between birth and starting school said the NDIS has helped their child’s development after 1 year in the Scheme increasing to 96% after 3 years.
  • 62% of parents of children aged from starting school to 14 said the NDIS had improved their child’s independence rising to 72% after 4 years in the NDIS.
  • 71% of participants aged 25 and over reported that the NDIS has helped them have more choice and control over their lives rising to almost 80% after 4 years in the NDIS.
  • 74% of participants aged 25 and over reported the NDIS had helped them with daily living activities rising to 85.5% after 4 years in the Scheme.

Minister for the NDIS, Senator the Hon Linda Reynolds CSC said the report on Participant Outcomes clearly showed the positive impact of the Scheme.

“What these results show us is that as the Government’s investment in the NDIS continues to grow, NDIS participants are benefitting from the early investments under the Scheme,” Minister Reynolds said.

“We are also seeing significant increases in community participation for young adults and adults alike – which is central to one of the Scheme’s aims to build community inclusion of people with disability.

Other results include:

  • School-aged children showed an improved ability to manage the demands of their world and make friends at school, while their parents/carers also feel better informed of their child’s goals at school.
  • The percentage of participants aged 15 to 24 with a paid job increased significantly (from 12% to 26%).
  • Participation in social and community activities in the last 12 months increased:
    • By 15 percentage points for participants aged 15 to 24 (from 32% to 46%)
    • By 13 percentage points for participants aged 25 and over (from 37% to 50%).

The new data gives valuable insights into areas that needed continued Scheme and community focus to boost the independence of people with disability in our community.

While for families and carers of participants aged 0 to 14, the percentage of those with a paid job increased by 10 percentage points over four years in the Scheme (from 43% to 53%) employment for NDIS participants remains a challenge to boost.

The Outcomes Framework takes a lifespan approach to measuring participants’ outcomes by looking at a range of indicators across each stage of life, from birth to starting school, school age to 14 years old, 15 to 24 years old and 25 years old and over.

Various factors can affect the experience of participants when they first join the NDIS. This includes the nature of the participant’s disability, the extent of support from family and friends or community, and their general health. This is why it is important to look at how outcomes change over participants’ time in the Scheme, acknowledging their different starting points.

The reports are available on the NDIS website.