In a significant post election reshuffle, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced key changes to the federal ministry, with the Hon. Mark Butler appointed Minister for Health and Ageing, Disability and the NDIS. Minister Butler, who retains his existing Health and Aged Care responsibilities, takes over elements of the portfolio from Amanda Rishworth, who has now been appointed Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations. Senator Jenny McAllister has been named Minister for the NDIS, joining the outer ministry, while the Hon. Tanya Plibersek assumes the role of Minister for Social Services.
Disability Intermediaries Australia (DIA) congratulates the newly appointed ministers and welcomes the opportunity to build strong working relationships as the disability sector navigates a critical period of reform.
A seasoned parliamentarian, Minister Butler has served in the House of Representatives since 2007 and has held a variety of senior roles, including portfolios in Mental Health, Housing, Homelessness, Social Inclusion, and Climate Change. Senator McAllister, previously Minister for Emergency Management, brings a new perspective to the NDIS at a time when clarity and leadership are urgently needed.
In announcing the appointments, Prime Minister Albanese reaffirmed his government’s commitment to restoring the NDIS to its original purpose.
“We want to make sure that the NDIS fulfills what its intention was: that everyone has the best opportunity to contribute to Australian society and that people with a disability don’t get left behind,”
“I am very confident that Mark and Jenny are ideally suited to perform that task.”
These changes come as the intermediaries sector stands at a pivotal juncture. With substantial elements of the reform agenda still undefined most notably the transition from current intermediary supports to the NDIS Review proposed Navigational Supports.
Incoming ministers face an urgent mandate to provide direction and assurance on the future of intermediary supports. Today, 13 May 2025, the Australian Government released the Administrative Arrangements Orders which states that the Department of Health, Disability and Aging will hold responsibility for
- Services and policy for the NDIS,
- Services and Policy for Foundational Supports, and
- Policy for Carers
While the Department of Social Services will retain responsibility for:
- Community support services and related workforce
- Policy and services for families with children and people with disabilities
- Income support services and policy, including the DSP.
With the move of NDIS to the Department of Health, Disability and Aging this could pave the way for IHACPA (Independent Heath and Aged Care Pricing Authority) to take over pricing for the NDIS. Something that DzIA and the wider sector has been calling on for some time.
DIA looks forward to early engaging with Minister Butler and Minister McAllister in the coming term. Key to those conversations will be our sector-led advocacy shaped by findings from the NDIS Review, the Disability Royal Commission, independent research, and the lived experience of People with a disability.
The full list of ministerial appointments is available on the Prime Minister of Australia’s website.
DIA is a members-based organisation. We are only able to do the work that we do because of the ongoing support of our members. Thank you to all DIA members that continue to support the work we do. If you’re a provider delivering Support Coordination or Plan Management are not yet a member, you should consider joining. Click here to join from our homepage.