This report explores the barriers faced by people with psychosocial disability in accessing the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and offers practical recommendations for a fairer, more inclusive system. Psychosocial disability refers to functional limitations experienced by individuals due to a mental health condition (or conditions).

The report begins with key findings and recommendations followed by an explanation of psychosocial disability and how the NDIS evaluates eligibility. It highlights the decline in access for this group, investigates the underlying causes and outlines the real-world impacts of reduced support. The report concludes with a call for a coordinated federal response to ensure people with psychosocial disability receive the support they need and deserve.

Recommendations

1. Clarify eligibility assessment criteria and processes for psychosocial disability.
2. Ensure expert oversight of psychosocial disability applications.
3. Establish a new psychosocial disability working group to progress reform.
4. Set targets and timelines for psychosocial disability access.
5. Establish a psychosocial pathway to and within the NDIS.
6. Ensure psychosocial disability expertise in implementation of the new NDIS support needs assessment tool, I-CAN.
7. Monitor changes and their impact on people with psychosocial disability.
8. Improve NDIA psychosocial disability capability.
9. Improve outcomes for people with psychosocial disability within the NDIS.
10. Ensure greater psychosocial disability representation in NDIS governance.
11. Develop psychosocial disability-specific NDIS supports.
12. Create a comprehensive system of psychosocial supports outside the NDIS.
13. Integrate development of Foundational Supports with the response to unmet need.