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When Policy Shifts Come via the Newsfeed

This week on OT Unplugged, Sarah, Nikki, and Alyce swap Oodie stories (pandas vs. champagne avocados), laugh about missing wine bottles and Lego office décor, and then get serious about something far less cozy — the way NDIS policy shifts often reach providers first through the media rather than direct communication.

In this episode, we explore:

  • The Numbers Game: What the latest NDIS quarterly report reveals — more than 739,000 participants on the scheme and growth well above original forecasts.

  • Children and the Scheme: Why kids under 15 continue to dominate new entrants, and what this means for families with limited alternatives outside the NDIS.

  • Foundational Supports on Shaky Ground: Reports suggest state governments are backing away from foundational supports, leaving families and providers with even more uncertainty.

  • Big Announcements, Little Warning: The upcoming productivity summit and what it signals for future scheme reforms — from eligibility pathways to funding constraints.

  • Diversifying Beyond the NDIS: Why pivoting to Medicare, private, aged care, and DVA isn’t straightforward, and the pitfalls for OTs stepping into new systems without proper guidance.

  • The “Goal” Debate: Do we expect too much from participants to frame their lives in NDIS goals? A candid chat about capacity building, maintaining skills, and what really matters.

Plus a few extras:

  • The eternal debate: Oodies, Squiddy hoodies, or dressing gowns?

  • Sarah’s victory in finally evicting a Wallabies jersey from her office (although they did win, apparently).

  • Our upcoming Perth workshops in September with OT Services Group — and an open invite to dinner if you’re local!

Links & Resources: