This is the first study of the 18.1 million Australian citizens and residents aged less than 65 years who would be eligible for National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) services and supports if they met eligibility criteria. It compares the group of people who are NDIS participants to the group of people who do not receive NDIS funding. Comparisons were made according to age, sex, socio-economic characteristics, geography, type of disability, level of functioning and support needs. It used data from the linkage of the 2018 Survey of Disability, Ageing and Carers (SDAC) and the NDIS. 

The study shows the majority (73%) of people with disability aged under 65 years do not receive support through the NDIS and calls for the needs of non-NDIS participants to be met by services outside of the NDIS. It sheds light on potential inequities between population groups in terms of NDIS participation that result from people with disability either not applying for the Scheme or being assessed to be ineligible after they applied. 

The report describes the support needs of all people with disability aged under 65 years and identifies high levels of need for assistance for tasks of daily living including transport, cognitive and emotional tasks, mobility and household chores. 

This information is important for the planning of foundational supports delivered by all levels of government and across different service sectors. The report identifies that new investments and cross-sector and cross-jurisdictional coordination will be needed otherwise the financial and emotional strain currently experienced by people with disability and their families will continue.