NSW became the only state in the country without a safety net for people with disability when the previous Liberal-National Government outsourced care entirely. Using the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) as a cover, the NSW Government moved all state disability services to non-government organisations (NGOs). Many of these still employ our members, who do extraordinary work with some of the most vulnerable people in our society.

However, the NDIS has seen its budget blow out to levels so high the Federal Government is sharpening its razor.

An expected 160,000 people will be removed from the NDIS to save $185bn over the coming decade. In addition, it will be harder in the future to be eligible for an NDIS package.

This means the NSW Government has a growing responsibility to establish a government-run safety net for people with disability in this state. While the NDIS remains a cornerstone of disability policy, recent changes have exposed its limitations and highlighted the urgent need for complementary, state-based support systems.

The NDIS was never designed to serve all people with disability. In fact, most Australians with disability do not qualify for it, and there is already a documented lack of services outside the scheme. Without a strong alternative, those excluded risk being left without essential supports such as therapy, assistive technology, or community participation programs. This gap is precisely where a NSW Government-run safety net becomes essential.

A 2026 NSW parliamentary inquiry found that families face long wait times, unclear pathways, and significant barriers when trying to access disability supports outside the NDIS. These systemic flaws are particularly pronounced in regional areas and among disadvantaged communities, worsening inequality.

A coordinated, State Government-led safety net could provide clearer access points, consistent standards, and equitable service delivery across the state.

The alternatives are bleak. A lack of access to help affects people’s safety, independence, and quality of life. Evidence presented during national debates indicates that reduced funding for supports such as community participation and therapy can lead to social isolation, declining health, and even increased risks of unsafe environments. Without the work our members do, these outcomes may place greater pressure on hospitals, housing, and crisis services, shifting costs rather than reducing them.

The Grattan Institute has found that a state-based safety net will ensure no one falls through the cracks as the NDIS is cut. These supports could include early intervention services, community-based programs, and navigation assistance. These are all services our members could do as Public Sector employees.

Without a safety net, thousands of people with disability risk losing access to essential supports, deepening inequality and undermining the broader goals of inclusion, independence, and wellbeing.

We are better than that.