Advocates call for council to drive disability reforms

The government on Thursday released an independent review of the National Disability Insurance Scheme by one of its architects, Professor Bruce Bonyhady, and former senior public servant Lisa Paul.

The review made 26 recommendations and 139 supporting actions.

A coalition of groups - including the Australian Federation of Disability Organisations, Inclusion Australia and People with Disability Australia - said in a joint statement a Disability Reform Implementation Council was needed to drive the changes.

"The NDIS review is a once-in-a-decade chance to make this critical scheme fit for the future, which will only happen if we have a seat at the table," the groups said.

"All levels of government (should) take action to deliver equitable, fair, just and sufficient support for all people with disability."

The groups argue not all people with disability are receiving the supports they need, and those that are find getting support is complicated, stressful and often not enough.

The council would report directly to national cabinet - the formal meeting between the prime minister and state and territory leaders - and have working groups specialising in key reform areas including education, employment, housing, health and aged care.

National Disability Services chief Laurie Leigh said non-government service providers faced financial challenges, compounded by chronic workforce shortages that could not be ignored in reforms stemming from the review.

"NDS welcomes the report's recommendations addressing long-standing issues with the NDIS, including more support for participants to find the supports they need, better supports for those who are not NDIS participants, worker screening, as well as supporting better options for homes and living," Ms Leigh said.

She backed the need for an advisory committee and welcomed an independent pricing mechanism.

"However, it is absolutely critical that pricing issues are addressed quickly to ensure financial viability of the sector moving forward. If this is at all delayed, the sector is at risk of market failure and many providers won't survive."

The report fell short on measures to attract and retain workers, she said.

There were also concerns about the report's timeline, with People with Disability Australia CEO Nicole Lee claiming its suggested five-year roadmap was "ambitious".

"It's going to take a little bit more than five years to do that because we've got to develop the services, we've got to get them working on the ground and we've got to integrate those services to make sure they're actually fit-for-purpose," she told reporters.

"There needs to be room to move with that timeline."

Concerns about bureaucratic bottlenecks also lingered, but Inclusion Australia CEO Catherine McAlpine said these could be resolved and instead pointed to pre-existing issues over access.

"People in remote communities, First Nations people, people from CALD (culturally and linguistically diverse) backgrounds and others still haven't had the chance to access (the NDIS)," she said.

Exercise and Sports Science Australia acting CEO Carmen Jenkinson welcomed the review, saying it was a fundamental right for people with a disability to have equitable access to allied health services.

"Accredited exercise physiologists help people with a disability to live their best lives by improving their physical and mental health, which increases independence, social engagement and employment opportunities," she said.

Australian Associated Press