DOCUMENT 3 FOI 25/26-0905
From: redacted: s47F - person Lauren on behalf of media
Sent: Thursday, 4 September 2025 1:10 PM
To: redacted: s47F - personal privacy Lucy; News; media
Cc: redacted: s47F - personal privacy Keely; redacted: s47F - personal privacy Enya; redacted: s47F - personal priv Isabella; redacted: s47F - personal privacy , Leonidas; redacted: s47F - personal
Lucy; redacted: s47F - personal privacy Jo; redacted: s47F - perso Julian; redacted: s47F - personal privacy Ellen; redacted: s47F - personal priv Shaun; media
Subject: RE: Menzies NDIS analysis [SEC=OFFICIAL]
Hello Lucy,
Please see the below cleared lines from the NDIA.
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• The NDIS funds eligible participants all across Australia to access the disability-related supports they require.
• It’s vital all NDIS participants and their families receive the disability-related supports they need, no matter where they live.
• There have also been no changes to eligibility criteria, including for children with autism. Any Australian living with disability who meets the eligibility criteria will receive support through either the Early Intervention pathway or by becoming a participant on the Scheme.
• The NDIS supports over 78,000 participants from NSW with a primary diagnosis of Autism.
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Kind Regards
Lauren redacted: s47F - personal p
a/g Assistant Director Media
Media | Strategic Communications Division
National Disability Insurance Agency
Phone: redacted: s47F - personal privacy
Email: lauren.redacted: s47F - persona@ndis.gov.au
The NDIA acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and their
continuing connection to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to them and their cultures
and to Elders past, present and emerging.
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From: redacted: s47F - personal privacy Lucy
Sent: Thursday, 4 September 2025 8:15 AM
To: News ; media
Cc: redacted: s47F - personal privacy Keely ; redacted: s47F - personal privacy Enya ; redacted: s47F - personal priv Isabella ; redacted: s47F - personal privacy , Leonidas ; redacted: s47F - personal p Lucy
Subject: Fw: Menzies NDIS analysis [SEC=OFFICIAL]
Hey can the dept and agency provide us a few lines in response to these questions pls
From: Michael redacted: s47F - personal p <michael.redacted: s47F - personal @afr.com>
Sent: Thursday, September 4, 2025 7:50 am
To: redacted: s47F - personal privacy Lucy <Lucy.redacted: s47F - personal privacy @Health.gov.au>
Subject: Menzies NDIS analysis
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Hi Lucy
I am writing a story today based around (embargoed) research from the Menzies Centre which shows discrepancies in NDIS participation, particularly for autism and developmental delays, depending on where you live in Sydney. Rates are as much as six times
The analysis by Nico Louw (who I note is a former adviser to Morrison) suggests participation rates are as much as six times higher in lower socio-economic areas in western Sydney, NW and SW Sydney, than more affluent council areas in the city’s north and east. They have only analysed Sydney data using NDIA and ABS stats.
For eg. the percentage of residents who are on NDIS with autism as primary diagnosis is 1 in 70 residents, or 1.43 per cent, in the Blue Mountains compared to 1 in 415, or 0.24 per cent, in the City of Sydney council area.
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Page 8 of 9Menzies and other commentators say the data highlights the need for the government to have a clearer understanding of where the needs are and why this is happening.
Let me know if the Minister wants to comment.
Thanks
Mike
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Michael redacted: s47F - person
Health Editor
The Australian Financial Review
Mobile redacted: s47F - personal privacy
michael redacted: s47F - perso@afr.com.au
Twitter @redacted: s47F - personal privacy
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