Winners and Losers for Disability in the 2025 Federal Budget

The 2025 Federal Budget has committed $424 million over the next four years to strengthen safeguards for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and to support services for people with disability.
But where is the money going — and who missed out? Let’s break it down.

Autism Strategy: A Big Win

The government will invest $42.2 million to deliver the National Autism Strategy and its First Action Plan.

This landmark Strategy — the first of its kind for Australia — aims to improve life outcomes for Autistic people by focusing on:

• Social inclusion

• Economic participation

• Diagnosis, services and supports

• Health and mental health initiatives

The funding was originally announced earlier this year but has now been confirmed in the Budget.

Improving Outdoor Accessibility

The Budget also reiterated a commitment of $17.1 million through the Access Australia Plan.

This initiative will improve accessibility by funding:

• All-terrain wheelchairs for nature trails and rugged terrain

• Mobi-matting for beaches

• Inclusive play equipment in parks

The goal is to build accessible infrastructure in national parks, beaches, and play spaces — opening up outdoor experiences to more Australians with disability.

Crackdown on Fraud

More than a third of the new funding — $151 million — will go toward enhancing the National Disability Insurance Agency’s (NDIA) cyber security and fraud detection systems.

An additional $17.1 million will boost the NDIA’s ability to detect and respond to fraudulent or non-compliant payments.
This focus on fraud prevention reflects the government’s broader effort to safeguard the integrity of the NDIS.

Apprentice Support for Young Workers with Disability

The Budget also allocates $11 million to increase Disability Australian Apprentice Wage Support (DAAWS).

This program supports employers of apprentices with disability by providing funding for:

• Wage subsidies

• Tutorial assistance

• Interpreter services

• Mentorship programs

While this investment is welcomed, some advocates argue it doesn’t go far enough.

The Big Loser: Inclusive Education

One major gap in this year’s Budget is education reform for students with disability.

Despite calls from advocates like Skye Kakoschke-Moore (CEO, Children and Young People with Disability Australia) for a National Roadmap for Inclusive Education — a key recommendation from the Disability Royal Commission — no such funding was delivered.

Kakoschke-Moore described the lack of investment as “disappointing,” noting there was hope for a broader, more strategic approach to making schools more inclusive.

Sector Reaction: Feeling Invisible

Megan Spindler-Smith, Deputy CEO of People with Disability Australia, summed up the sentiment from the disability community:

“It almost feels like we are somewhat invisible in this budget and only really appear as a cost or by way of explanation around any sort of fiscal risk.”

While some important investments have been made, there is widespread concern that the broader needs, ambitions, and rights of people with disability were not fully acknowledged in this Budget.