This month: survey results show families are worried, advocates speak out on psychosocial disability, and calls grow for fairness in I-CAN assessments.
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3 October 2025

In this edition:
  • Read our survey report on what you said about Thriving Kids 
  • Hear the Concerns of People with Psychosocial Disability 
  • Learn about the new I-CAN assessment NDIS  Assessment
  • Watch NDIS Minister Jenny McAllister's First In-Depth Interview
A red background with the Every Australian Counts logo. Text reads: “Results Are In: Thriving Kids Community Survey.”

Families, carers and people with disability speak out on “Thriving Kids”

More than 1,000 people from across the disability community have spoken up - and the message is clear.

Our national survey shows big concerns about the federal government’s “Thriving Kids” plan. Families are scared of losing the supports their kids rely on. Providers are worried about the future. People with disability feel shut out of decisions that affect their lives.

  • 70% say the plan doesn’t make sense

  • 80% are worried kids will lose support

  • 75% fear losing choice and control

  • Only 18% support the plan

  • 86% say people with disability and families must help design any changes

This is just the beginning. All through October we’ll be sharing more quotes and stories from the survey.
A red background with white box containing the Every Australian Counts logo. Text reads: “New Opinion Piece on the EAC Website. Safeguarding Individualised Support for Psychosocial Disability: Why NDIS Reform Risks Leaving Us Behind. By members of the Australian Psychosocial Disability Collective.”


The Australian Psychosocial Disability Collective has shared a strong message: government changes to the NDIS could leave people with psychosocial disability behind.

In a new opinion piece, advocates with lived experience say they’re seeing warning signs - and they’re worried.

💬 “The NDIS gave me control over my life. Now I’m scared it’s being taken away.”

  • Getting into the NDIS is already getting harder

  • Only 3% of new participants April-June 2025 have a psychosocial disability

  • More changes could push people back into systems that don’t work

They’re calling for action now - before it’s too late.

  • Psychosocial disability is real

  • People need ongoing, tailored support

  • The word “recovery” must not be used to take support away

  • New ‘foundational supports’ must not replace access to the NDIS
A red and white banner with the Every Australian Counts logo and a red megaphone icon. Text reads: “MEDIA RELEASE. Transparency and Co-Design are Essential for I-CAN Assessments.”

I-CAN assessments - community calls for honesty and fairness

Our Chair Dr George Taleporos says many people are worried about how the new I-CAN assessments will be used to decide NDIS funding.

📢 “If government gets this right, I-CAN could deliver more consistency and fairness. But without openness, safeguards and co-design, it risks undermining trust and failing the very people it is meant to support.”

We’re asking for:

  • Access to our assessment reports

  • Clear explanations of how our assessment reports are converted into budgets

  • The right to challenge decisions

  • Assessors who are well trained and understand trauma

  • Real transaprency and co-design with our community
A banner saying exclusive NDIS deep dive with Minister Jenny McAllister

Minister speaks on what’s next for the NDIS

Minister Jenny McAllister joins Dr George on the Reasonable & Necessary podcast to talk about big NDIS changes - like I-CAN assessments, Thriving Kids, NDIS pricing and much more

Click on the video below to watch this important interview about the future of NDIS
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Need help with the NDIS? Start here!

We’ve put together a one-stop resource with everything you need to find support, take action or get help with the NDIS.

  • Advocacy contacts

  • Carer support

  • Provider directories

  • Email templates

  • Mental health helplines

It’s built by and for our community, and we’ll keep updating it as things change.
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