NDIS Fraud Inquiry to be voted on by Senate

Today the Senate will vote on One Nation's inquiry into fraud, waste and abuse in the NDIS. The scheme was originally set up to care for the severely disabled, but it has since been abused and the cost has already reached $50 billion a year, on track to reach $100 billion. There is a large number of unregistered providers (around 280,000) compared to registered ones (about 25,000), with support coordination costs exceeding $1.65 billion without clear participant outcomes, posing risks to scheme sustainability. Immigration agents, some banned for misconduct, have been able to register as NDIS providers and allegedly defraud the scheme. Reports include billions for non-essential activities such as holidays and entertainment, and concerns that resources are diverted from those with genuine needs. Some former prisoners receive large NDIS payments, how is this possible? The scheme is not means-tested, allowing wealthy individuals to access funds, with some participants receiving over a million dollars and potential double-dipping with insurance payouts. Wages under NDIS can be claimed up to $195 per hour, much higher than typical wages for similar services, contributing to inflated costs and sucking away providers from other important industries like aged care and veterans services. The collapse of providers has left millions in unpaid debts, with concerns about foreign students improperly registering as service providers and sending money overseas without paying taxes. Drew Pavlou and Pete Zogoulas, as private individuals, are effectively doing the government’s job by independently investigating NDIS providers alleged to be defrauding taxpayers. Contrast their efforts—undertaken with limited resources and self‑funding—with the government's inaction. Despite extensive departmental resources, authorities have failed to adequately address widespread fraud that is visible and well known within the community. That's why the Senate must establish this inquiry into NDIS fraud, waste and abuse or the severely disabled who are in genuine need will end up worse off.