A fairer NDIS
Media, commentary, explainers and updates about our work to make the NDIS fairer for the people with disability who rely on it.
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2SER: Fighting the NDIS age cap at the UN
PIAC is representing Dr Peter Freckleton in a discrimination complaint to the UN. After contracting polio when he was six-years-old, Peter has had paralysis in both legs since childhood. However, his application for NDIS support was rejected as he was over 65 when the NDIS was introduced. This leaves him unable to access necessary support for…
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UN asked to rule on whether NDIS age cap is a human rights breach
Dr Peter Freckleton, an Australian with a severe and permanent disability, is alleging the Australian Government is discriminating against him by denying him access to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) because of his age. In a complaint to the UN, Dr Freckleton says this breaches his fundamental right to protection from discrimination under the…
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Age discrimination complaints on NDIS age cap taken to the United Nations
When the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) rolled out 10 years ago, Peter Freckleton had hopes it would change his life for the better. Mr Freckleton has had a life-long disability, which began after contracting polio when he was just six. “I was paralysed totally. I finished up with two both legs paralysed and for the rest…
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2SER: the Disability Royal Commission calls for fundamental reform
After four years of often harrowing evidence from people with disability, 32 public hearings and nearly 8,000 submissions, the Disability Royal Commission has released its final report. Its findings are damning. According to the Royal Commission, people with disability ‘experience high rates of violence and abuse,’ and ‘continue to be excluded from participating in many areas…
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Improving access to specialist disability accommodation
Our report with Housing Hub showed we had improved NDIA decision making processes.
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2SER: Investing in the NDIS
The NDIS supports more than half a million Australians living with disability. It provides funding for services and supports so people with disability and their families can have greater independence, access jobs and education, and have a better quality of life. The Opposition Leader recently suggested that Australia’s AUKUS submarine program could be funded by…
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Many families in Australia need our government to support the NDIS
Opinion by Jonathon Hunyor, PIAC CEO The National Disability Insurance Scheme was set up to give independence and improved quality of life to people with disability. It has been said that it “exists to help Australians with disability live ordinary – and extraordinary – lives”. But it has become a political football in a game…
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PIAC case study – NDIS funding for a psychiatric assistance animal
In 2022, PIAC supported a client who was appealing an NDIA decision to refuse funding for a psychiatric assistance animal. The client’s story has been covered by the ABC. PIAC is sharing a case study about the client’s experience and an information sheet about the NDIA Assistance Animal Guideline to assist others who would like…
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Melbourne woman wins battle against National Disability Insurance Agency for mental health assistance dog
Following a two year legal battle, our client Sally* finally received NDS funding for her assistance dog Toby.
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The NDIA’s faulty guidelines on assistance animals are forcing people to battle for critical support
A recent case in the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) has exposed the National Disability Insurance Agency’s faulty policy on psychiatric assistance animals. Assistance dogs provide cost-effective, clinically proven support to people with a broad range of mental health conditions, yet the NDIA refuses to fund them unless extremely narrow criteria are met. Under current guidelines,…