2024-25 Budget Priorities for People with Disability

By focusing on evidence-based measures, employment opportunities, and support services, the 2024/25 Budget aims to create a more inclusive and sustainable future.

Let’s delve into the key highlights for People with Disability:

1. Specialist Disability Employment Program

• Investment: An additional $227.6 million, bringing the total funding to $5.4 billion over the next five years.
• Objective: Facilitate employment opportunities for people with disabilities.
• Key Features:
  • Modern Digital Platform:
    • • Enhancing support for providers and participants.
  • Procurement Process:
    • • Ensuring a robust market with specialist providers and increased participant choice.
  • Flexibility and Tailored Supports:
    • • Addressing individual needs.
  • Wage Subsidy:
    • • Introducing a single wage subsidy of up to $10,000.

2. Disability Employment Centre of Excellence

• Funding: $23.3 million over four years.
• Objective: Establish a centre to enhance service quality.
• Providers Included:
  • Disability Employment Services
  • Workforce Australia
  • Community Development Program
  • Australian Disability Enterprises
• Focus Areas:
  • Innovation and Best Practices:
    • • Sharing successful approaches
  • Capacity Building:
    • • Elevating service quality.
  • Increased Access:
    • • Supporting an additional 15,000 people with disabilities annually.

3. NDIS Evidence Advisory Committee (NDIS EAC)

• Funding: $45.5 million over four years (with ongoing funding of $13.3 million per year).
• Purpose:
  • Provide independent advice on therapeutic supports accessed through the NDIS.
  • Improve outcomes and cost-effectiveness.

4. National Disability Abuse and Neglect Hotline

• Funding: $2.6 million.
• Role:
  • Confidentially report abuse and neglect.
  • Raise concerns about Australian Government-funded disability services outside the NDIS.