Kuipers, Pim, and Spong, Jo (2025) Implementation of the NDIS in Rural, Regional and Remote Areas. Australian Journal of Rural Health, 33 (2). e70046.

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Abstract

In recent years, some highly informative articles have been published in this Journal (and elsewhere) exploring the dimensions and impact of the implementation of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) in regional, rural and remote areas of Australia. In this virtual issue, we highlight a number of these. Together, these articles paint a picture of burden, limitations and undue complexity, not as a result of the person's disability, but related to NDIS systems, processes and structures. That is, these articles depict considerable

-burden of treatment’, which appears to be exacerbated by -workforce capacity limitations’, which contribute to a -cumulative complexity’ [1, 2] that profoundly impacts on rural people with disabilities, family members and others at multiple levels.

We suggest that the NDIS-related burden and complexity stem from the model of service delivery, the bureaucratic systems, and the decision-making processes of the scheme. Burden and complexity are compounded by limited staff skills and a lack of understanding of rural and remote realities. They are further compounded by challenges of recruitment, retention, staff training and other workforce limitations. The impacts of this burden and complexity extend far beyond the person with a disability to their family and many rural health, welfare and community services and systems.

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