top of page

The Hidden Changes to NDIS Eligibility: Implications of Section 30 and 30a.

Choice Community Health

Updated: Jan 19



Is it just me, or is it difficult to find clear information about Section 30 of the new NDIS legislation? With the recent updates, NDIS participants—particularly those with psychosocial disabilities—are facing the potential the most significant changes since the scheme’s inception. Yet, despite its potential to drastically reshape the eligibility landscape, these changes are barely mentioned in official communications like webinars or emails updating people on the new laws. Specifically, the introduction of Section 30 and 30a—concerning eligibility reassessment—seems to be flying under the radar, leaving many in the dark about what it truly means for their future access to support.


Background on the Changes

For those who haven’t been following the latest updates, Section 30 and 30a introduce a new process for reassessing participants' eligibility for the NDIS. Essentially, the law empowers the NDIS to issue an eligibility reassessment letter to participants, questioning whether they still meet the criteria to receive support. While this might sound like routine housekeeping, the implications for those with psychosocial disabilities are profound.


Previously, psychosocial disabilities such as schizoaffective disorder or debilitating personality disorders were accepted under the NDIS with proper documentation. However, with the new legislation, the criteria for remaining eligible have tightened. The law now categorizes certain conditions into explicit lists, and psychosocial disabilities, by omission, appear to fall outside the key classifications. This shift in focus is significant because it suggests that many individuals who previously qualified may struggle to provide the necessary evidence to retain their support.


The Lack of Transparency

What is most concerning is that there has been little to no direct communication about these specific changes. In a recent NDIS webinar, as well as in official emails sent to participants, there was no mention of the eligibility reassessment process or how it would impact those with psychosocial disabilities. Participants, many of whom rely heavily on their plans for essential daily support, are left to wonder whether they will receive these reassessment letters and what will happen if they do.


In fact, a number of crucial unknowns remain. First, how soon will these eligibility reassessment letters start arriving? Will they be sent to every participant, or only to those who meet specific criteria? Secondly, what are the triggers for these reassessments? Will the NDIS automatically flag certain conditions, or will the decision be based on an individual's current plan and supports? This is the type of information that NDIS participants need immediately—yet it is conspicuously absent.


The Psychosocial Disability Dilemma

The most worrying aspect of these changes is how they will affect participants with psychosocial disabilities. Despite the reassurances from the NDIS in various question-and-answer sessions that "no one will lose their plan," the fine print suggests a different story. The key here is the distinction between participants who remain "eligible" under the new rules and those who do not. If someone is deemed ineligible after reassessment, they could lose access to their NDIS plan, no matter the severity of their condition.


This raises serious concerns about how individuals with conditions like schizoaffective disorder or personality disorders, many of whom may not fall under the new explicit lists of eligible disabilities, will prove their eligibility. By my reading of the legislation, a large number of people with psychosocial disabilities could be at risk of losing their supports.


The Need for Clear Communication

No one is suggesting that the NDIS shouldn’t be made sustainable. Clarity about who should be eligible is essential for the scheme’s future. However, if people are going to lose access to critical services, that should be the clearest part of the government's communication—not the murkiest. As it stands, many participants are completely unaware that their eligibility could be under threat, and the government’s silence on this issue only fuels further uncertainty and anxiety.


The introduction of Section 30 and 30a is not just another minor tweak to the NDIS; it represents a fundamental shift in how eligibility will be determined. Participants need to know how this will affect them, and they need to know now. The longer the government keeps this information opaque, the more damaging the consequences will be for those who stand to lose the most.

Comments


bottom of page