NDIS reform – and why the right support matters more than ever

By Belinda Sutherland, General Manager – NDIS/Allied Health, CoAct

The recent National Press Club address from Minister Butler marks a pivotal moment for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). The message is clear: the NDIS is here to stay – but it must evolve to remain sustainable, trusted, and fit for purpose for future generations.

For participants, families, and providers alike, this signals a period of significant change. But it also presents an opportunity to refocus on what the NDIS was always meant to deliver – meaningful support, genuine inclusion, and real outcomes for people with disability.

At CoAct, we welcome the intent behind these reforms. Strengthening the integrity of the scheme, addressing fraud and poor-quality providers, and ensuring support is directed to those who need it most are all essential steps in safeguarding the NDIS for the long term.

However, reform at this scale also brings uncertainty. Changes to eligibility, adjustments to participant plans, and a shift away from a purely market-driven model will reshape how people experience the NDIS day to day. For many participants, navigating these changes will feel complex – and at times, overwhelming.

That is where the role of quality Support Coordination becomes more important than ever.

Support Coordination should not be transactional. It is not simply about connecting services or managing budgets. At its best, it is about helping a person make sense of their plan, understand their options, and build the confidence to make informed decisions about their own life.

As the system tightens and expectations increase, participants need providers who are consistent, transparent, and genuinely focused on their goals – not providers who are driven by volume or short-term gain.

The reforms outlined by the Government place a strong emphasis on quality and accountability. We expect to see a shift toward a more defined group of trusted providers, stronger oversight, and clearer expectations of what good support looks like. This is a positive step – but it also means participants will need to be more deliberate in choosing who supports them.

Choice and control remain at the heart of the NDIS. That means participants have the right to choose a provider who aligns with their values, understands their goals, and will walk alongside them – not just now, but as the system continues to change.

At CoAct, we are committed to being that kind of provider.

Our approach to Support Coordination starts with the person. We take the time to understand what matters to them – not just what is in their plan, but what they want their life to look like. From there, we work to bring together the right mix of supports, services, and community connections in a way that is practical, coordinated, and sustainable.

Importantly, we are here for the long term.

In a changing NDIS landscape, stability matters. Participants need to know that their provider will not only help them navigate today’s system but will continue to support them as reforms are implemented, plans evolve, and new pathways emerge.

This is not a short-term commitment. It is a responsibility.

We see Support Coordination as a partnership – one that builds capability, strengthens independence, and adapts over time as a person’s needs and goals change. That means being responsive, being accountable, and being present throughout the journey.

The NDIS is entering its next phase. While the details of reform will continue to unfold, one thing remains constant: the importance of keeping participants at the centre of every decision.

For participants and families, now is the time to ask important questions of your providers:

• Do they understand my goals?
• Are they helping me build independence, not just manage services?
• Will they support me through change – not just when things are straightforward?

The answers to these questions matter more than ever.

Because while the system may be evolving, the purpose of the NDIS does not change – to provide people with disability the support, dignity, and opportunity to live the life they choose.

At CoAct, we are proud to stand alongside participants in that journey – today, and into the future.

If you’d like to learn more about our support coordination services, call us on 1800 226 228 or register your interest using our online form.