Melissa Price blasts NDIS reforms as blow to remote providers

Member for Durack Melissa Price has hit out at changes to the National Disability Insurance Scheme, warning new pricing reforms will hurt regional WA practitioners and their clients.

The updated NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits came into effect on July 1.

They are part of the Albanese Government’s plan to rein in the scheme’s ballooning costs by reducing annual spending growth from 15 to 8 per cent and aligning therapy prices with national benchmarks.

While Ms Price agrees the NDIS needs reform, she argues a one-size-fits-all approach ignores the higher costs of delivering services in remote regions like Durack.

“The NDIS has blown out beyond its original intent and clearly needs serious reform,” Ms Price said.

“However, that reform must be fair, informed and grounded in real-world experience. Ripping funding out of the regions should not be the first step.”

Ms Price said she had been contacted by allied health professionals across Durack, particularly in the Pilbara and Kimberley, who fear the removal of regional loadings and reduced travel support will force them to scale back or shut down.

“These are small, often women-led businesses — speech pathologists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists — who have chosen to work in remote communities. These changes put their livelihoods, and their clients’ care, at serious risk.”

She also criticised the rollout of the changes, saying the announcement came with no warning and left providers and participants scrambling to adjust.

“It is not feasible to adapt service delivery at such short notice,” Ms Price said.

“This is yet another example of the Albanese Government’s failure to consult the sector or understand the reality on the ground.”

In response, a spokesperson for the National Disability Insurance Agency defended the changes, arguing they aim to bring NDIS pricing in line with market rates.

“It’s important that NDIS participants are paying prices that are fair and in line with industry standards. In some cases, price limits exceeded the market rate by up to 68 per cent.”

The agency’s annual pricing review recommended caps on claimable travel rates and modest changes to some therapy hourly rates.

The NDIA said the new rules encourage more efficient scheduling and help participants get better value from their plans.

“We heard from participants that excessive travel claims for therapy services were draining their plans faster than expected,” the spokesperson said. “Therapists can still claim 40 per cent above standard rates in remote areas — and 50 per cent in very remote areas. Providers can also continue to claim for travel-related expenses.”

Still, Ms Price and the Coalition have written to NDIS Minister Mark Butler, calling for a three-month deferral to allow for proper consultation and planning.

“The Government must explain how regional providers are expected to adapt without harming participants,” she said.

“The Coalition will continue to monitor the impact and hold the Government to account for any negative outcomes.”

The NDIA said it remains committed to improving services in regional and remote areas.

“We are working closely with local communities and using targeted market interventions to improve participant access to the NDIS,” the spokesperson said.

The Kimberley Echo has contacted NDIS Minister Jenny McAllister for comment.