This week took an interesting turn of events.
But before we dive into all the NDIS drama — I’ve seen SwiftyMatchy with my own eyes. She’s almost here. Probably two weeks away from being in my hot little hands. And honestly? I cannot wait to share her with all of you.
👉 If you want to be first on the waitlist when SwiftyMatchy hits your suburb: SwiftyMatchy.com. Don’t sleep on it.
Thriving Kids $2B Shuffle
The feds and states are cooking up a $2 billion program to shift kids with mild or moderate developmental delays off the NDIS by mid-2026. Advocates are already calling out the obvious: “Cool story, but where’s the actual support?”
Planning Pause
The shiny new NDIS planning framework has been delayed until mid-2026. Translation: we’re stuck with the same old plan reviews for now.
Therapy Saved
Big sigh of relief – music and art therapy have been confirmed as NDIS-funded, with new pricing to kick in from November. 🎨🎶
Debt Drama
The NDIA reviewed participant debts and refunded $145,000 back into people’s pockets. They’re still ramping up fraud checks, so expect more eyes on providers.
New Watchdogs
The NDIS now has a new Evidence Advisory Committee. Their job? To decide what supports make the funding cut and what gets left behind.
🗣️ This Week’s Big Chat: Bullying
Sarah dived in on a tough but important convo: bullying.
It doesn’t matter if you’re a support worker, a provider, or an NDIS participant — bullying is bullying. The same expectations we set for face-to-face respect apply online too.
💡 TL;DR: Don’t be a turd.
If you wouldn’t say it to someone’s face, don’t say it on LinkedIn, Insta, or anywhere else. Our sector is about support, not tearing each other down.
Gif by theblock on Giphy
🌏 State-by-State Tea
New South Wales (NSW)
The NSW Premier, Chris Minns, is not happy with the federal government’s plan to tie hospital funding to NDIS reforms. He called it a “rude shock” that could leave families worse off if changes roll out without extra health funding.
At the same time, speech pathologists are warning the Thriving Kids program must include them. If they’re left out, kids with speech and communication needs will miss out on the support they deserve, and therapists could end up burned out.
Victoria (VIC)
No massive headlines, but providers in Victoria are fuming over new pricing changes. Rural travel payments for therapists have been halved, meaning many therapists simply won’t travel long distances anymore. That leaves families in the bush without regular therapy support.
Queensland (QLD)
Queenslanders With Disability Network (QDN) raised big concerns about mandatory registration. They fear it could push out smaller providers who don’t have the money or resources to keep up with the extra red tape. On a brighter note, QDN also highlighted wins this week: planning reforms being delayed (so no sudden change for now), stronger inclusion policies, and ongoing support for art and music therapies.
South Australia (SA)
Bedford, one of South Australia’s largest disability service providers, is struggling financially. The state government had to step in with a $15 million rescue package. While that money keeps the doors open for now, the government admits the organisation’s future is shaky. They’ve appointed advisers to help Bedford restructure and survive long term.
Western Australia (WA)
WA just launched its own NDIS Community Advisory Council. This new group will bring together people with disability, carers, and sector leaders to share real experiences and advise on improvements. Expressions of interest opened this week, giving locals the chance to have their say.
Tasmania (TAS)
Occupational therapists in Tasmania are on the brink. With therapy prices frozen at old rates and travel reimbursements cut in half, many OT businesses can’t afford to keep running. A survey showed 14% of OT practices plan to close and nearly half are thinking about leaving the NDIS altogether. That means regional Tasmanians could lose vital services.
Northern Territory (NT)
The Independent Advisory Council met in Darwin recently, and the message was loud and clear: the new travel caps are hurting. Therapists say the limits make it nearly impossible to provide face-to-face support in remote communities. Families risk losing services altogether if providers can’t cover the travel costs.
Australian Capital Territory (ACT)
No major local scandals, but the new pricing reset has shaken things up. Some therapy rates in metro Canberra have gone up slightly, while rural border regions got hit hard with price cuts. Providers warn this could make it even harder to attract and keep staff outside the city.
✨ Stellar Line‑Up Alert: Belinda & Cedar
Move over Monday blues — this week’s newsletter isn’t just about policies and price caps. We’re serving up a double dose of girl‑boss energy as we welcome Belinda and Cedar to the podcast spotlight. These two powerhouses are all about smashing stereotypes and showing how women are driving change in the disability and support‑work space. Stay tuned for an exclusive Q&A where they dish on finding the perfect match between NDIS participants and supports, juggling business and advocacy, and their must‑know hacks for thriving in the sector.
Trust us — you’ll want to take notes.
🫶 Final word
The NDIS rollercoaster never slows down. But that’s why SwiftyMatchy is coming — to bring clarity, choice, and a little sparkle back into finding supports.
See you on the waitlist,
💅 Sarah (aka your SwiftyMatchy Brat-in-Chief)