The NSW 2024–25 State Budget, announced on Tuesday 18 June, does not contain new funding for on-the-ground disability services nor for sector support. The Government said its budget priorities were addressing economic challenges and investment in housing and essential services.  

However, NDS is pleased to see funding to establish a new Disability Reform Taskforce, led by the Cabinet Office and the Department of Communities and Justice. Responding to recommendations of the Disability Royal Commission and to lead state reforms in the NDIS, the government has allocated $7.1 million in the taskforce, which will respond to the next stage of disability reform.  

NDS is well positioned, with the support and expertise of its members, to advise the Reform Taskforce. The coming months are a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to collaborate and co-design foundational supports, such as early childhood assessment and intervention supports, and other elements of the reform agenda.  For NSW, investment in implementation funding will be the next step for successful reform.  

We were happy, too, to see investment in cost-of-living relief and mainstream services, including mental health and other health services.  

We also welcome the investment in housing. However, the accessibility gap has not been addressed. NDS has been a strong voice calling for NSW to adopt the Liveable Housing Design standards under the National Construction code. 

Along with  the housing priorities, NDS, in our Pre-budget Submission, called on the NSW Government to support the disability workforce and sector transformation. The disability sector needs clear signals from the government on both these issues to boost its confidence. We are disappointed by the absence of any transformation funding for the sector. 

Nevertheless, NDS is determined to keep working with the NSW Government to support the design and implementation of disability reforms in NSW.