General News
8 May, 2026
NDIS changes prompt recipient questions
Maryborough radio volunteer Michael Cutajar feels recent changes to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) have left him uncertain about the future of those who receive support
Mr Cutaja’s support coordinator, Belinda Fabry was working at his home one evening when he saw the news of the NDIS reforms on television. She immediately noticed Mr Cutajar was concerned and anxious about what that meant for the support he received.
It was through support from the NDIS that Mr Cutajar was connected to Goldfields FM, providing structured activity to express his biggest passion in life, music. He now produces regular segments played on the community radio station, often six times a week.
“I’ve been so into it, it’s brightened me up,” Mr Cutajar said.
Long before moving to Maryborough, Mr Cutajar spent many years attending a rehabilitation centre for epilepsy, transferring between facilities at Kew and Toorak.
“They had music playing all the time, but I was right into it,” he said.
“When at home, Mum would do the house work with the radio going, I got into it and I became musical minded.”
Throughout his life, his condition has limited his ability to work outdoors. As a result, he hopes to have his own show in the future, but will need the help of his support workers to assist him through the adminis-trative process
Other support Mr Cutajar receives includes morning and evening support, house cleaning, washing, medication, and meal preparation.
Ms Fabry said the work has become an important outlet for creativity and routine in addition to support he receives from NDIS-funded care arrangements.
“He has many fans, but they don’t all know his face, we also do a lot of voluntary reception work, it’s all part of the routine,” she said.
“It’s Michael driven. We just support him. It’s also companionship, ‘cause when you’re living by yourself, it can get very lonesome.”
The NDIS, which has been in place since 2013, is a national program providing funding and support to Australians with permanent and significant disabilities. The support is tailored to each individual, funding specific supports a person may need to improve their independence, daily life, and ability to participate in the community, such as personal care, therapy, transport, or finding work.
On April 22 this year the Australian Government announced a number of changes to the scheme.
The recent reforms to the NDIS are aimed at improving consistency and ensuring the scheme remains financially sustainable. The Federal Government said the program has been growing faster than what was proposed 13 years ago with more than 760,000 Australians currently having access to the NDIS.
Under the changes, it will become harder for some, particularly new applicants, to access the scheme, as eligibility requirements will be tightened. The government said these reforms are necessary to make sure the NDIS can continue to support people with permanent and significant disabilities into the future.
For many Australias, it’s been a complicated restructure. For NDIS recipients who are concerned, Rivergum Support director Kaitlyn Howell said providers and recipients need to access their goals and supporting documen-tation.
“With the changes coming to NDIS, it’s a bit unknown and a bit scary. I think it’s really important for people on the NDIS to understand what their NDIS goals are and to make sure the organisation they are with is working towards those goals and have evidence for that,” she said.
“They need to have any reports from allied health to say the person needs this help, the next little while will be about evidence gathering to show they need the support they have, to make sure it doesn’t get cut.”
However, Ms Howell said those in Mr Cutajar’s case will see minimal impact.
“A lot of the changes are for new people coming on to the NDIS, they will be more stringent with accessibility, but hopefully people like Mr Cutajar with support goals won’t be affected too much,” she said.
“Support workers have helped Mr Cutajar connect to the radio station, they assist with getting him to and from the station and ensure he has his segments organised.
“It’s definitely given him purpose. I remember him saying ‘I look after myself better now because I am a face of Mary-borough radio’.”
As for the roll out of these changes, the Federal Government said they are committed to engaging with the disability community and states and territories on longer-term reforms.
Changes from these reforms:
NDIS access assessments will be outlined by “functional capacity that impacts day to day living” as opposed to an individual’s diagnosis alone.
The categories for provider registration will be increased. NDIS providers will also be enrolled in a digital payment system to ensure clear evidence of NDIS claims, starting from July 1, 2026.
There will be an expansion of categories of mandatory registration to include higher risk activities, such as personal care, daily living supports, and supports provided in closed settings.