The Australian government has initiated a taskforce, known as the NDIS Sustainability Taskforce, to explore budget savings for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), which is expected to cost $52 billion this financial year. The taskforce, led by Anthea Long, a former Treasury official, was established following a January meeting between Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, state premiers, and Health Minister Mark Butler. The NDIS has experienced a spending growth of 10.3%, significantly above the federal government's target of 8%, which Butler has labeled as “simply unsustainable” for the future. The government is aiming to lower this growth to between 5% and 6% annually. Changes to the NDIS are anticipated to be included in the May budget, which Albanese and Treasurer Jim Chalmers are calling their most ambitious yet. The NDIS is projected to surpass defense spending on its current trajectory, with costs forecasted to exceed $63 billion by 2028-29 if no changes are made. Alongside this, the federal government and states have agreed to invest $4 billion in the Thriving Kids program, aimed at supporting children with autism and developmental delays, although its launch has been postponed to October. Opposition leader Angus Taylor has emphasized the need for effective use of taxpayer funds within the NDIS, calling for the elimination of fraud and ineffective operators.