NDIS delivers $52bn benefit to economy

An analysis commissioned by National Disability Services lays out the costs of underfunding the scheme, showing about 10,200 jobs are lost for every $1 billion of underspending.

Progressive think thank Per Capita calculates the economic benefit of the NDIS in 2020/21 as $52.4 billion.

The scheme has also been estimated to deliver $2.25 to the economy for every dollar spent.

Per Capita's report warns any "savings" from underfunding the scheme would be self-defeating because it increases demand for other government services.

The peak body for non-government NDIS providers is using the report to push back against pressure to reduce the scheme's costs.

"We have been concerned to see the focus change over the past year from the benefits of the scheme to the cost, with ongoing attempts to restrict access to the scheme and reducing supports available," National Disability Services president Rohan Braddy said.

"We are hearing from people we support having their plans cut, while providers are seeing constant pressure to reduce the levels of support we provide under the NDIS."

The NDIS supports 467,000 people with disabilities and more than 270,000 workers across 11,600 providers.

The federal government has issued warnings about the sustainability of the scheme.

Public pressure earlier this year resulted in the scrapping of a particularly controversial proposal that would have required all applicants and participants to undergo independent assessments.

Budget papers show the cost of participant plans in the NDIS is set to grow to $31.9 billion by 2024/25.

Labor's NDIS spokesman Bill Shorten says the report is proof the scheme benefits all Australians.

He wants the government to release modelling it is relying on for its proposed overhaul of the scheme.

Comment is being sought from NDIS Minister Linda Reynolds.

Australian Associated Press