Law enforcement officials have alerted the Australian parliament to the infiltration of organised crime gangs within the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), which is valued at $50 billion. These gangs are reportedly using intimidation, cash kickbacks, and fraudulent claims to exploit vulnerable participants, undermining the program's integrity. The Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC) highlighted that criminals are submitting false documents and making claims while individuals are hospitalized or incarcerated. The scale of this fraud is significant, with existing data revealing that many banned providers are re-entering the system due to inadequate surveillance. As the government prepares for the federal budget, which is expected to address the unsustainable growth of the NDIS, officials are advocating for reforms to enhance provider registration and oversight. The NDIS's growth rate exceeded 10.3% last year, with projections indicating costs could reach $63 billion by 2028-29. The health minister, Mark Butler, is set to announce major changes, while Treasurer Jim Chalmers emphasized the need for cuts to the scheme as a key part of the government's savings strategy. Overall, NDIS fraud represents a fraction of a broader criminal economy estimated to cost Australia $82.3 billion in 2023-24.