Federal Budget 2025–26: Disability Community Recognised in Part – But Where is our Structural Reform?
Wednesday 26th March
The Australian Federation of Disability Organisations (AFDO) acknowledges several important investments in this year’s Federal Budget that support people with disability. However, despite the scale of disability reform underway, the budget once again falls short of delivering the structural change our community needs.
AFDO welcomes:
- $175.4 million to strengthen NDIS fraud and compliance systems
- $364.5 million to redesign the Information, Linkages and Capacity Building (ILC) program to support foundational supports
- Funding for the National Autism Strategy and limited infrastructure for accessibility
- Emergency housing and family violence responses
- Cost-of-living relief and prescribed medication assistance
While AFDO welcomes these initiatives, they are modest in scope and lack a broader strategy. Most concerningly, foundational supports still lack a clear delivery timeline and are not underpinned by any agreements with the states and territories on the supports to be provided or the specifics on dollars each jurisdiction will commit.
This Budget also misses a critical opportunity to respond to the findings of the Disability Royal Commission. There is no dedicated investment to implement its landmark recommendations. Recommendation 5.6 – to establish a dedicated Department and Cabinet Minister for Disability Inclusion – remains ignored.
AFDO reiterates its call for:
- Full implementation of all Disability Royal Commission recommendations
- A dedicated Department and Cabinet Minister for Disability Inclusion as proposed in our Fair Australia for People with Disability campaign at www.fairaustralia.au
- Legislated and fully funded national foundational supports for all people with disability
People with disability continue to be overlooked in broader investments in housing, disaster resilience, employment, and education – despite being disproportionately affected.
Quote attributable to Grant Lindsay, President & Chair, AFDO:
“This budget shows some awareness of the needs of people with disability but falls short of meaningful reform. The lack of action on the Disability Royal Commission’s recommendations—especially the call for a dedicated Minister and Department—sends a troubling message. We need the government to treat disability inclusion as a national priority, not a discretionary extra.”
Quote attributable to Ross Joyce, CEO, AFDO:
“The budget recognises our community in part—but it doesn’t meet the moment. We need more than pilot programs and partial funding. We need structures, laws, leadership and coordination that reflect the reality and rights of 5.5 million Australians with disability.”
ENDS
Available to speak: Ross Joyce and Grant Lindsay
MEDIA ENQUIRIES David Latham, First Tier Media Phone: 0479 130 242 | Email: david@firsttiermedia.com
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