A new Technical Advisory Group (TAG) will meet for the first time today, in the next phase of work towards delivering reforms to secure the future of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
The TAG brings together expertise in disability, clinical practice and assessment. It will provide independent advice, helping to develop a robust and consistent approach to assessing substantially reduced functional capacity which will guide access to the NDIS.
The NDIS Review found that the current approach to NDIS access is inconsistent and inequitable and does not always target support in the way the NDIS originally intended.
The TAG will not make decisions on who can and cannot access the NDIS. Instead, the group will advise Commonwealth and state and territory governments on a framework for assessing capacity, possible assessment approaches, tools and thresholds.
It will ultimately help to ensure more consistent access to the Scheme and a system that reduces administrative burden on people with disability and their families.
Minister Butler will co-convene the TAG with ACT Minister for Disability, Carers and Community Services Suzanne Orr. Minister Orr was nominated to co-convene by state and territory Ministers, recognising the shared responsibility for the NDIS between governments. The co-convening Ministers are responsible for bringing parties together and facilitating collaboration.
The TAG will be co-chaired by Professor Christine Imms and Ms Mary Wood. The co-chairs are responsible for jointly leading the meeting, including setting the agenda, guiding discussions and providing advice.
The group’s work will include:
- developing an evidence-based assessment framework for functional capacity
- advising on assessment tools, evidence requirements and threshold options
- helping to implement, test and validate the proposed approach.
Its advice will be informed by engaging with people with disability, families, carers, clinicians and the broader sector, ensuring lived experience is central to designing the reforms.
The TAG will deliver its advice in stages through 2026, with further input to support detailed design and implementation into 2027.
