Digest of the “Duckett Review”

Photo by Jennie Razumnaya on Unsplash

The Duckett Review is a series of policy papers that look at how to make the NDIS sustainable, fair, and focused on people with permanent and significant disability, while strengthening support outside the NDIS for others who need help.

The review does not suggest shutting down the NDIS.Instead, it argues that the NDIS should continue, but change how support is managed and provided to ensure it remains strong in the future.

1. Clarifying Who the NDIS Is For

• The NDIS should remain for people with permanent and significant disability.

• Some people currently on the NDIS need help, but not necessarily NDIS-level funded support.

• The review encourages stronger support systems outside the NDIS (schools, health services, mental health programs, family support) so the NDIS is not used as the “only option”.

Key idea: Improve mainstream supports, not remove people from help.

2. Strengthening Early Intervention

• Early support for children is important.

• But not all developmental delays require individual long-term NDIS funding.

• More community-based early childhood services (playgroups, child health clinics, preschool supports) should be available before or instead of formal NDIS access when appropriate.

Goal: Give families help earlier, without automatically needing a diagnosis label or NDIS plan.

3. Improving Planning and Reviews

The review suggests:

• Simplifying NDIS plans

• More consistent decisions about funding

• Better information for families about what is considered reasonable and necessary

Idea: People should not have to “fight” for what they need.

4. Controlling Costs Without Cutting Support

The main concern is rapid cost growth, not waste.To manage this, the review proposes:

• Clear national price and quality controls

• More oversight of therapy providers and support coordinators

• Preventing overcharging and duplication

Focus: Make funding go further, not reduce essential supports.

5. Workforce and Quality

• The disability workforce needs to grow and be better trained.

• Providers should focus more on outcomes, not hours billed.

• The review supports better safeguards to protect participants from low-quality or unsafe services.

6. Strengthening the NDIA Systems

The review notes that NDIA administration and technology need improvement so:

• Participants get answers more quickly

• Paperwork is easier to manage

• The experience feels more personal and supportive

This aligns with the government’s current digital upgrades.

In Simple Words

The Duckett Review says:

Keep the NDIS.Protect it.Fix the parts that are confusing, unfair, or too expensive.Build stronger supports outside the NDIS so people don’t have to rely on it as the only option.