NDIS eligibility shift to functional capacity raises equity concerns
Original framing: “NDIS eligibility will be based on ‘functional capacity’, not diagnostic labels. But what does that mean?” — The Conversation - Global
Scientific research on disability supports the social model, which argues that societal structures—not individual impairments—are the primary barriers to participation. The new eligibility criteria may not align with this evidence-based understanding.
The shift in NDIS eligibility criteria reflects a systemic tension between fiscal efficiency and human dignity.
By prioritizing functional capacity over diagnostic labels, the policy risks excluding people whose needs are not easily quantifiable, particularly those from marginalized communities. Indigenous and cross-cultural perspectives offer alternative models of inclusion that challenge the dominant biomedical framework. Scientific evidence supports a social model of disability, which emphasizes societal barriers over individual limitations. Marginalized voices must be central to policy design to ensure that the system remains equitable and responsive. Future models must account for the growing diversity of disability experiences and the need for flexible, community-based support systems. Only through a holistic, inclusive approach can Australia build a disability support system that truly serves all its citizens.