New Report: Rushed Unfair NDIS Decisions Dismantling Essential Supports  

By Self Manager Hub

Keywords | Supports | Flexibility | Choice and control | NDIS

Category | NDIS Fund Management | Policy and Advocacy | News

Formats | Text only

27 October 2026

Self Manager Hub is calling on the Australian Government to implement the 20 recommendations of a new report documenting serious harm when NDIS participants have self-management removed, restricted, or refused without a fair process. 

Self-Management Taken Away: Evidence of Harm and Procedural Unfairness in NDIA Decision-Making brings together survey evidence and personal accounts of decisions disrupting essential supports and damaging people’s health and independence. 

Dr George Taleporos, Chief Executive Officer of Self Manager Hub, said unfair decisions were undermining the principles the NDIS was established to uphold. 

“Choice and control are foundational principles of the NDIS. They recognise our right as people with disability to make decisions about our own lives and how we are supported,” Dr Taleporos said. 

“Rushed unfair decisions to remove self-management are dismantling essential, individualised support arrangements built over years. As a result, participants are unable to pay their trained and trusted workers and left without the support they depend on to survive. The consequences have been devastating for their health and safety, and placing more pressure on families trying to keep those arrangements together.” 

The report is based on a community forum, participant case studies, and results from the 2026 Self Manager Hub community survey that received 266 responses, including 54 people who reported that self-management had been removed, restricted, or refused. Among affected respondents, 94% said they had no chance to respond before the decision. 

One survey respondent described the consequences: 

“I found out on a Saturday that self-management had been removed. I then went without supports for three months.” 

Self Manager Hub is seeking a commitment to implement all 20 recommendations, with immediate priorities including: 

• An independent review of integrity-related self-management decisions and an audit of current and historical integrity flags, with inaccurate or outdated information corrected or removed. 
• Fair decision-making, including accessible notice, clear reasons and evidence, an opportunity to respond, and practical support before restrictions are imposed. 
• Protection of essential supports while concerns are examined, rapid review, and restoration of self-management where decisions lack evidence or a fair process. 
• Formal recognition of self-directed arrangements, including direct employment, Services for One, and participant-controlled entities, as legitimate ways to organise supports, with fair treatment and proportionate oversight based on evidence. 

“We want to work with the NDIA and the Government to put this right. Our report sets out practical improvements to prevent further harm and restore confidence in decision-making. 

“We are calling on the Government to implement the recommendations, with clear responsibilities and timeframes, and to work with people with disability and our families on the changes. Participants’ rights and the continuity of our essential supports must be protected.”