NDIS Reforms Spark Alarm Over Impact on Women’s Safety and Economic Security

Sweeping reforms to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) have passed Parliament, but not without significant concern from disability advocates and human rights experts. Sex Discrimination Commissioner Dr. Anna Cody warns these changes could be a serious setback for women’s rights, particularly impacting their safety and economic security.

“There are real achievements that this government can claim some credit for, but this is a retrograde step,” Dr. Cody stated.

NDIS Reforms Raise Alarm for Women’s Safety and Economic Security

A “Retrograde Step” for Women

Dr. Cody highlights existing inequities within the NDIS, noting that women and girls currently represent only 38 per cent of participants. She fears the recent reforms risk worsening this disparity, compounding “the lack of access that women have experienced.”

A major concern is that cuts will likely shift more care responsibilities back onto informal carers, a role predominantly filled by women. This burden, Dr. Cody explains, directly impacts “women’s ability to participate economically” – a deeply troubling consequence.

Call for Transparency: Where is the Gender Impact Assessment?

Dr. Cody is not alone in her concerns. She joins a chorus of high-profile advocates and cross-bench members of Parliament who have criticised the government for failing to publish a full gender impact assessment. This crucial document would detail the implications of the NDIS bill specifically for women and outline how any unintended negative consequences could be addressed.

A gender impact assessment is a vital tool that examines how a proposed policy or law might affect different genders, helping policymakers to identify and mitigate potential inequalities. Its absence has sparked widespread calls for greater transparency.

The Australian Human Rights Commission recently echoed these calls, specifically requesting a “pause” on the reforms until such an assessment could be made public.

The government revived gender-responsive budgeting in its first term, aiming to place gender equality at the heart of budget decisions. This practice, pioneered in Australia in the 1980s, previously included annual Gender Impact Assessments in a Women’s Budget Statement, which were discontinued in 2014.

Minister for Women Katy Gallagher had previously emphasised that gender-responsive budgeting provides decision-makers with information about impacts *before* decisions are made, not just informing the public.

Government’s Stance and Transparency Concerns

“Gender Analysis Has Informed Reforms,” Says Government

When questioned about the lack of published assessments, a government spokesperson responded that “Gender analysis has informed the NDIS reforms.” They added that the Office for Women will collaborate with the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) and other departments to strengthen the focus on safety and gender equality during implementation.

However, the government confirmed that while gender analysis is undertaken as part of cabinet and budget processes, these analyses are considered “cabinet in confidence,” meaning they are not publicly released. This stance has been repeatedly challenged by Greens leader Larissa Waters in Senate estimates – parliamentary hearings where ministers and officials are questioned about government operations.

Ms. Waters argues that withholding these assessments prevents Parliament, civil society organisations, and the public from holding the government accountable. “If a full gender analysis was done, we haven’t seen it. How can we hold the government to account without more transparency?” she asked.

Helen Dalley Fisher, executive director of the National Foundation for Australian Women, agrees. She notes a “concerning unconscious gender bias emerging whenever it’s not convenient to talk about gender.”

What the NDIS Reforms Mean in Practice

Major Changes to the Scheme

The NDIS Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026 represents the largest overhaul of the scheme since its inception in 2013. According to Health Minister Mark Butler, the reforms are designed to control the scheme’s growth, which currently costs $52 billion a year, and address allegations of fraud.

These cuts are substantial, amounting to $38 billion over four years – surpassing all other savings in the latest budget. Projections indicate that up to 241,000 existing participants may exit or be removed from the NDIS by mid-2031, with another 110,000 people directed to alternative support systems.

A government spokesperson reiterated that these changes aim to make the NDIS “more sustainable” and are “not designed to remove them from the Scheme or make their lives more difficult.” They assured that “Participants will continue to have access to the critical supports needed to live well and with dignity.”

One of the most controversial aspects of the bill is a new, broad power for the NDIS Minister to reduce funding for entire categories of support for “financial sustainability” reasons. Explanatory notes accompanying the bill indicate this power could initially be used to cut funding for individual plans related to social and community participation by 50 per cent.

The Link Between Support Cuts and Safety

This potential cut to social and community participation is a particular concern for Sophie Cusworth, CEO of Women With Disabilities Australia. She submitted one of over 4,000 submissions to the recent 13-week Senate inquiry into the NDIS bill, which itself was extended due to public criticism about insufficient consultation.

“The Disability Royal Commission said that isolation increases violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation, so we know that participating in one’s community is not a luxury, it’s a safeguard,” Ms. Cusworth explained. “It’s the very thing that keeps people safe, it keeps people visible.”

She believes a gender impact assessment would reveal that the bill “has not been developed with a safety-by-design lens” and that many changes could “increase isolation and decrease safety.”

Statistics from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare underscore these concerns: women with disability are 40 per cent more likely to experience domestic and family violence than non-disabled women. Nearly two out of three women with disability in Australia will experience violence in their lifetime.

Dr. Anna Cody reinforces this, stating, “One of the key aspects of domestic and family violence is that isolation from family, from friends, from social supports, and that’s one of the strategies that perpetrators, men who use violence, will use.”

A Balancing Act: Progress vs. Potential Setbacks

Acknowledging Gender Equality Achievements

While critical of the NDIS reforms, Dr. Cody acknowledges the government’s progress in other areas of gender equality. She points to a fall in the gender pay gap to a historic low, a decrease in domestic and family violence (excluding sexual violence), and Australia’s improved standing in the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Index.

These achievements, she says, represent “real achievement and that has taken concerted work.”

Despite acknowledging situations where public disclosure might not be appropriate, Dr. Cody recommends the government establish a “preference” or “default” to release gender impact assessments. She suggests this would benefit public debate and help educate people on how seemingly neutral decisions can disadvantage women.

Next Steps and What This Means for You

For NDIS Participants and Families

These changes are significant, and it’s understandable if you have questions or concerns about what they mean for your NDIS plan or your access to supports. We encourage you to:

Stay informed about how these reforms will be implemented.
Familiarise yourself with any new guidelines released by the NDIA.
Reach out to your plan manager, support coordinator, or disability advocacy organisation for personalised advice and support.
Engage with community consultations as they arise.

For Providers and Advocates

Disability service providers and advocacy groups will play a crucial role in navigating these changes and supporting participants. It’s important to:

Understand the implications of the new legislation for your services and participant plans.
Continue to advocate for the needs of participants, especially vulnerable groups.
Monitor the implementation of the reforms closely and provide feedback on their real-world impact.

The conversation around the NDIS reforms and their gendered impact is far from over. Continued vigilance and advocacy will be essential to ensure the scheme remains fair, accessible, and safe for all participants.

Hazel Chen

I work in marketing and communications for NDISLocal, helping connect NDIS participants, families, and providers with clear, useful information about the sector. I'm passionate about making the NDIS easier to understand and navigate, and about giving disability service providers a platform to reach the people who need them. If you'd like to know more about anything covered in this post, or you're a provider interested in being featured, feel free to get in touch.