Budget Analysis 2024

On the 27th of June 2024, the Australian Federal Government delivered the budget for the 2024-2025 financial year. Unfortunately, there is not much positive change for disabled people.

There are some small rises in JobSeeker payments and Youth Allowance. A very small amount of people receiving JobSeeker payments and Rent Assistance will receive a rise of $9.40 per week. Despite the work of Disability Advocates, there is no increase to Disability Support Pensions. There is extra funding for homeless services and community housing however many people will still not be able to afford to pay rent or other affordable housing. Despite these changes, there are still going to be many people who can’t afford to pay their rent or pay for food.

There will be changes to the Carer Payment, which will make it easier for Carers to engage in paid work, without worrying about losing their payments.

Advocates had been calling for additional funding for Disability Advocacy Services across Australia, this was not provided. One in two people who are seeking advocacy services, will be turned away, and organisations that support disabled people risk closure.

Disability Employment Services have received $253.6 million over the next 5 years, this is to implement a new specialist disability employment program to replace the existing Disability Employment Service (DES).

A lot of the overall budget information related to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). The government expects to save $14.4 billion over the next four years, this will be in response to the National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Getting the NDIS Back on Track no.1) bill, that was introduced in March.

Further funding related to the NDIS includes:

* $160.7 million over 4 years to upgrade the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission’s Information Technology Systems.

* $129.8 Million over 2 years for design and consultation work to respond to the NDIS review.

* Establishing a NDIS Implementation Advisory Committee and a NDIS Implementation Working Group to implement the NDIS review.

* $45.5 million over 4 years to establish a NDIS evidence advisory committee to provide independent and transparent advice to government about the ability of the NDIS to support disabled people as it is intended to do.

* $23.5 million over 2 years for fraud investigation.

* $20 million over 2 years for design and consultation work for services to help people navigate services.

* $5.3 million to the Independent Health and Aged Care Pricing Authority to work with DSS and National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) on pricing.

Disability Advocates are concerned about how proposed changes will affect people receiving the NDIS and whether or not disabled people will be consulted about the proposed changes. Disability Advocates are continuing to lobby the government.

- Megan Munro

Writer, The Easy Read Toolbox

Photo by Ladina Photography