In his address to the National Press Club on Tuesday, Minister for Government Services Bill Shorten confirmed the Government will not extend eligibility to the NDIS to include people over the age of 65, despite advocacy from some groups to do so.
“Some groups who seek to be included where we have no plans to; that's people who acquire their disability over 65,” the Minister said.
“I understand that's very difficult.”
Once people turn 65, they are no longer entitled to enter the NDIS system. The age cut off required a change to the Age Discrimination Act of 2004 when the NDIS was established a decade ago.
In his address, the Minister for Government Services outlined six areas for NDIS reform aimed at improving the experience of participants and maximising funds for their benefit. He said the NDIS has “lost its way”.
The system is forecast to cost $90 billion by 2032. When it was set up, the NDIS was expected to cost a maximum of about $25 billion each year.
