National Disability Services welcomes the Federal Government’s commitment to ongoing funding for the NDIS in the 2022-23 Federal Budget, however recent research has shown funding at current levels is insufficient.

Disability service providers, as with many other businesses, have been doing it tough through the pandemic and have particularly felt the financial impacts of the recent Omicron wave

A recent survey of disability service providers by NDS, A20 and AFA has revealed that NDIS payments would need to increase from between 12 and 23 per cent, depending on the type of service, to offset the financial impact of Omicron.

The survey shows that additional costs to cover workforce shortages, extra PPE costs, and losses from cancellations have made it hard for service providers to remain financially viable in recent months.

National Disability Services CEO Laurie Leigh said "The disability space has suffered through the Omicron outbreak and it is disappointing to see this has gone unrecognised. Ahead of the upcoming Federal Election we are calling on all parties to defend the NDIS and renew commitments to adequately fund its future."