The Australian government plans to implement significant changes to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), requiring individuals with disabilities to exhaust all appropriate treatment options before qualifying for the program. This new eligibility test is set to begin on January 1, 2028, as part of broader reforms aimed at curbing the scheme's rising costs, which currently amount to $50 billion annually. The proposed changes could reduce the number of participants from a projected 900,000 to 600,000 by the end of the decade, potentially saving the federal budget about $36.2 billion through to 2030. Health Minister Mark Butler outlined these reforms, which include standardised assessments and mandatory provider registration. The definition of “permanence” for disabilities will be clarified, allowing access to the NDIS only if all effective treatments have been tried and the impairment is likely lifelong. Critics, including the Greens' disability spokesperson Jordon Steele-John, argue that these changes are alarming and could impose additional burdens on individuals seeking support. The government is seeking swift passage of the legislation, but opposition parties are calling for further scrutiny and consultation with affected individuals.