Media Release
NDIS Needs assessment Tool
ASAN AUNZ
Position Statement
ASAN AUNZ says that if the Australian government wants a Needs Assessment tool that is safe, fair and accurate for Autistic people, Autistic people must be integrated in co-development of the tool.
The Autistic Self Advocacy Network of Australia and New Zealand (ASAN AUNZ) acknowledge the Government’s announcement that the I-CAN Support Needs Assessment will be the basis of the tool to measure participant support needs in the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). This represents a significant step in implementing the recommendations of the NDIS Review and the NDIS Amendment Act 2024.
The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) has confirmed that, without further development, the I-CAN tool is not fit for purpose. They have advised that it uses a semi-structured interview process via phone or face to face.
genuine co-development essential to success
ASAN AUNZ supports reforms that aim to make the NDIS simpler and fairer, and moves towards budgets based on support needs. However, ASAN AUNZ cautions that without substantial and genuine co-development, the I-CAN tool could represent a return of the rejected Independent Assessments, without the independence.
“The success of this reform will depend on whether the NDIS needs assessment tool can fairly and accurately capture the unique needs of Autistic people. To do this, it needs to be co-developed with Autistic perspectives at its centre, so it can reflect the real lives of Autistic people,” said Cheryl Koch, Chair of ASAN AUNZ. “Autistic needs are often invisible, fluctuating, or highly individualised. Without the right safeguards, we risk people being left without the supports they need.”
Autism-specific considerations must be addressed
ASAN AUNZ highlights several autism-specific considerations that must be addressed in the rollout:
- Invisible and fluctuating needs: One-off assessments miss day-to-day variability and hidden effort, leading to underfunded supports.
- Masking and communication differences: Masking and verbal-norm bias can make people appear more independent than they are, so needs are underestimated.
- Sensory regulation: If sensory needs aren’t explicitly measured, essential tools and environmental adjustments won’t be funded, limiting participation.
- Cognitive and social supports: When physical assistance is weighted over executive-function and social-cognition supports, Autistic people receive less funding than required.
- Assessor training: Without autism-informed, neurodiversity-affirming training, assessors may misread behaviour and make inconsistent or unsafe decisions.
Autistic people deserve an ndis that meets our needs
ASAN AUNZ calls for the NDIA to involve a diverse range of Autistic people in validating the tool, to ensure it works in practice for our community. Transparency in how budgets are calculated, and strong rights of review, will also be essential.
“Autistic people deserve an NDIS that sees and responds to our real needs,” Ms Koch said. “We will continue to engage with government to ensure these reforms deliver fairness, not new barriers.”
ASAN AUNZ stands ready to participate in co-development together with the NDIA and I-CAN team to deliver a fit for purpose NDIS needs assessment tool that is safe, fair and accurate for Autistic people.
We will monitor the rollout closely and advocate for transparency, safeguards, and meaningful Autistic involvement at every stage.
For media inquiries, please contact Cheryl via text 0423 042 795 or email comms@asan-aunz.org.