Nearly 174,000 Under 9-Year-Old Australians on NDIS, Report Finds

Around 11 per cent of Australian children aged five to seven are now participants in the National Disability Insurance Scheme.

A child is seen at the Alice Springs Women's Shelter, in Australia, on May 27, 2016. AAP Image/Dan Peled

Approximately 174,000 Australian children aged under nine are enrolled in the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), according to the latest quarterly figures.

The NDIS Quarterly Report Q4 2024–25 shows the number of children entering the scheme is growing faster than older groups. Of the 98,240 participants entering into a plan in the past financial year, 69 percent were aged 15 or under.

Participation in the scheme peaks between the ages of 5 and 7, with approximately 11 percent of children in that age group on plans. Overall, participation rises steeply from birth and reaches about 12 percent at age 6.

Autism remains the most common diagnosis among children on the scheme, continuing a trend from previous years.

Government Response

The National Disability Insurance Scheme NDIS logo is seen at its head office in Canberra, Australia, on June 22, 2022. AAP Image/Mick Tsikas

In response to the report, Disability Minister Mark Butler announced a new, $2 billion “Thriving Kids” program aimed at supporting families outside the NDIS and easing pressure on the system.

Speaking at the National Press Council on Aug. 20, Butler said the scheme had been stretched beyond its original purpose.

“They are desperate—absolutely desperate—to get their children diagnosed because we’ve made it the only way they can get help,” Butler said. “The NDIS model just doesn’t suit their needs.”

He said the program was designed for people with permanent disability, but more children were entering the system to access supports not available elsewhere.

Calls for Broader Support

Independent bodies, including the Grattan Institute, have urged the government to expand services outside the NDIS to prevent families from being funnelled into the scheme.

“The problem is the NDIS has become the only game in town, you either get an NDIS package, or you get minimal mainstream services,” said Grattan Institute disability program director Sam Bennett.

Advocates have also raised concerns about the consistency of access.

People with Disability Australia deputy chief executive Megan Spindler-Smith said many questions remained about Labor’s promised reforms.

“We would love to see consistency across how people are able to access their support needs, regardless of whether or not they’re able to be a participant with the NDIS or not,” she said.

Rising Costs

The NDIS supported 13 percent of Australians with disability last year, around 610,000 people out of 5.5 million.

The NDIS cost Australian taxpayers $42 billion (US$27.4 billion) in the 2023-24 financial year, and is expected to exceed $58 billion by 2028.

When someone signs up for the NDIS, it forms a permanent pact, which can often pose an issue if the person only needs a certain set of supports.