The Federal Government is seeking to increase penalties for National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) providers who harm people in their care.
Under a new bill, the penalty for a new category of “aggravated” offences, such as if a client is injured or dies, would be a 4,000% increase on the existing maximum fine.
Unregistered providers could face jail time under the changes.
Advocates welcomed the introduction of the bill as a first step.
Background
The NDIS provides support and services for Australians with disability.
This includes access to community services, such as doctors, and assistance for necessary support, such as vehicle modifications.
It was launched in 2013 and completely rolled out by 2020. There are now more than 750,000 Australians who receive support from the NDIS.
Changes
The Government introduced its bill in the final Parliamentary sitting week of the year, last week.
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It would increase penalties for providers “whose failures cause the death or serious injury of a participant under their care” from $400,000 to $16.5 million.
Providers found to be operating
Companies caught falsely advertising what products are covered under NDIS could also face fines of up to $400,000.
NDIS Minister Jenny McAllister said the bill “establishes new powers to hold those shonks and criminals to account.”
McAllister added that the changes are “about keeping NDIS participants safe.”
The bill will be debated when Parliament returns in February 2026.without registration could face criminal convictions, including jail time.
Comments
Australia’s peak body for disability organisations, National Disability Services (NDS), said the changes were “welcome news”.
The group said: “While some measures flagged in earlier consultations have been included, others... have been shelved for now.”
Among the measures NDS flagged were not included are penalties for key personnel, like board members.
