Australia’s Disability Reform to Spur Layoffs, Economists Warn

Australia’s planned overhaul of its signature disability welfare program is set to see significant fallout for the labor market including a potential rise in unemployment, according to economists and industry players.

Health Minister Mark Butler outlined major reforms to the National Disability Insurance Scheme on Wednesday that aim to slash cost growth to 2% per annum through 2030 from 10% last year. The center-left government expects to achieve this by tightening eligibility, provider registrations and fraud control.