Australians will need to exhaust ‘all appropriate’ treatment options to access NDIS under proposed rules

Mark Butler last month outlined major changes to contain the NDIS scheme’s costs, including new eligibility rules, standardised assessments of participants and mandatory registration for more categories of providers. Photograph: Mick Tsikas/AAP

Australians with a disability would first need to exhaust “all appropriate” treatment options for their impairment to be eligible for the national disability insurance scheme under strict entry criteria to help curb the program’s soaring costs.

The proposed test is expected to start in 2028 and existing participants could be forced off the scheme if they do not meet the requirement.