It has been confirmed that eligibility rules for people with autism under the National Disability Insurance Scheme are under review, after a document outlining changes to direct eligibility for autism cases was accidentally published online.
The operational guidelines document – which sets out the conditions qualifying people for access to the NDIS – was changed on the NDIS website last week, removing direct eligibility for most people with autism.
Under List A – the conditions guaranteeing automatic access to the NDIS – level two autism was removed, despite people with this diagnosis “requiring substantial support”.
Only level three autism – characterised as those “requiring very substantial support” – was kept on the list.
After concerns were raised, the National Disability Insurance Agency clarified that this was an “incorrect document”, and reverted the operational guidelines online to contain both level two and level three autism under List A.
But on Sunday, the NDIA confirmed that it was reviewing the access requirements for autism under the NDIS, but denied any decision had been made.
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