PEOPLE with Disability Australia (PWDA) welcomes the Federal Budget 2025 allocation of $364.5 million for foundational supports for people with disability.
While this provides a modest funding increase, urgent clarity is needed on securing long-term support beyond the National Disability Insurance Scheme.
“Seeing Foundational Supports in the Budget is important, but we need details on how a long-term agreement will be struck with states and territories. These supports – outside of the NDIS – are critical for independent living and community participation,” said PWDA Deputy CEO Megan Spindler-Smith.
PWDA is concerned that without a national agreement, essential supports may remain undelivered or become subject to political cycles.
PWDA Board Director Steph Travers aid, “We shouldn’t have to wait anxiously for each budget to see if these supports still exist. The NDIS cannot be the only safety net. A long-term, legislated commitment is needed.”
While the Budget includes some investment in foundational supports, PWDA highlights a lack of urgent, targeted action in key areas where people with disability are most affected, such as housing, domestic violence, and disaster preparedness.
“We feel invisible in the mainstream Budget. Funding under the NDIS and Foundational Supports is welcome, but the Budget misses areas where the Disability Royal Commission called for reform. The roadmap for these reforms is still missing,” Mr Travers said.
He said the Budget’s housing focus lacked accessibility measures.
PWDA also raised concerns about gaps in addressing family and domestic violence.
“Women and non-binary people with disability experience higher rates of domestic violence, yet we are treated as a diversity footnote rather than a priority. This is a significant oversight,” Mr Travers said.
Source: PWDA.com.au
