Getting NDIS reform right for people with psychosocial disability and their family, carers and kin
15 October 2026Mental Health Australia recently joined many others across the disability and mental health sectors in contributing to important Australian Government consultations on National Disability Insurance Schemed (NDIS) reforms.
Our submissions were informed by consultation with members and focused on areas that have significant implications for people with psychosocial disability and their family, carers and kin.
Our first submission provided feedback on the design and principles of a new NDIS access system.
For many years, Mental Health Australia has argued that the current access process is not working fairly for people with psychosocial disability. Too often, people are disadvantaged by an assessment process that struggles to recognise the nature of psychosocial disability, particularly when it comes to demonstrating permanence or the likelihood of permanence.
This is reflected in declining access rates. Today, only around one in three people with psychosocial disability who apply to the NDIS are accepted, compared with two in three just a few years ago.
We acknowledge the Government's expressed commitment to creating a fairer and more consistent approach to accessing the NDIS. However, any new assessment system must be based on clear evidence, recognise the unique characteristics of psychosocial disability and deliver equitable outcomes for all people with disability.
Support Coordination and Connection Reform
Our second submission focused on the proposed Support Coordination and Connection service, which is intended to help NDIS participants navigate and connect with supports.
Strong coordination and recovery-oriented support are essential for many people with psychosocial disability. We are concerned the proposed model could reduce access to supports with specialist psychosocial expertise, particularly through the loss of Psychosocial Recovery Coaching.
We also know many organisations are already struggling to deliver these services under current pricing arrangements. The new model must be appropriately funded, maintain participant choice and control, and ensure people can access recovery-oriented support regardless of where they live.
Looking Beyond the NDIS
These reforms are taking place against the backdrop of a much broader challenge. Australia continues to face a significant gap in psychosocial supports, with nearly 500,000 people outside the scheme missing out on the help they need.
Psychosocial support remains one of the missing pieces in Australia's mental health system. We know these supports help people stay well, remain connected to their communities, maintain housing and employment, and reduce pressure on hospitals and other crisis services.
As highlighted in our previous submission to the Inclusive Communities Fund, governments must ensure people can access appropriate support outside the NDIS before significantly reducing supports available through the Scheme.
Reform must deliver a system that is fair, sustainable and inclusive of the needs of people with psychosocial disability and their family, carers and kin.