Greens warn NDIS pricing review could slash worker pay

The NDIS Annual Pricing Review is causing alarm across the sector, according to the Greens, which urged the Albanese government to “rethink” the changes.

The recent release of the NDIS Annual Pricing Review 2024–25 has already caused widespread concern across the sector, according to the Greens, which are now urging Anthony Albanese, the Labor government, and the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) to reconsider the impending changes.

The reforms – similar to the Annual Wage Review conducted by the Fair Work Commission – are set to come into effect on 1 July 2025, with the NDIA claiming the changes will ensure “NDIS participants are charged in line with other Australians receiving these supports through Medicare or private health insurance”.

The Greens, however, believe that the incoming reforms will manifest in an hourly rate reduction for allied health professionals while exacerbating a continuation of multi-year price freezes for others, paired with a reduction in travel rates for all allied health professionals.

“I am hearing loud and clear from providers across the country – these changes would affect the quality and accessibility of services for NDIS participants,” said Senator Jordon Steele-John, Australian Greens spokesperson for Disability Inclusion and the NDIS.

Various workers across the sector, including physiotherapists, podiatrists, dieticians, speech pathologists, psychologists, support coordinators, plan managers and occupational therapists, are said to have raised concerns over the pricing reforms, according to the Greens.

Steele-John claimed that the impending changes will only add pressure to the mountain of adversity that NDIS participants and workers across the sector already face.

“I am hearing loud and clear from providers across the country – these changes would affect the quality and accessibility of services for NDIS participants,” said Steele-John.

“Disabled people are being squeezed on all sides. These changes are being proposed at the same time that many are being removed from the NDIS or having their supports cut, with no foundational support system in place to catch them.”

With the hourly rate reduction that the Greens claim will be a by-product of these reforms, retention and attraction issues could manifest for the sector – with some businesses having to close up completely.

“With the sector already under enormous pressure from the cost-of-living crisis, a reduction in hourly rates could mean professionals leaving the sector altogether and some organisations being forced to shut their doors,” said Steele-John.

“The Greens are calling on the federal government to ensure that any changes to NDIS pricing do not undermine access to essential services and support.

“These decisions cannot be made in a vacuum. We need a transparent, respectful, and evidence-based approach that puts the needs of disabled people first and supports our hardworking allied health professionals and disability support providers.”