Capacity Building: The key to increasing the already high return of the NDIS

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is one of Australia’s most significant social investments, but all anyone ever seems to talk about is how much it costs. Headlines scream about soaring expenses, politicians argue over sustainability, and critics call for cuts. But here’s the thing, when you focus only on the price tag, you miss the bigger picture.

This isn’t just about funding support services. It’s about investing in potential. Right now, the conversation is stuck in the mindset of disability support as a bottomless expense. But what if we flipped that? What if we looked at the return on investment instead? Because the reality is, the NDIS isn’t just supporting people with disabilities—it’s fueling economic activity. Every dollar invested in the scheme generates an estimated $2.25 in economic return, that is a 125% return on investment, imagine how happy you would be if you were getting that return on your personal investments year on year.? Now we start to see it for what it really is: It’s not charity, it’s smart economics.

And if we want that return to grow, we need to shift our focus from just providing support to building capacity. Capacity building is about giving people with disabilities the tools, skills, and opportunities to shape their own futures. It’s about independence. It’s about contribution. And most importantly, it’s about choice.

For too long, disability services have been built around dependence. The assumption has been that people with disabilities will always need a set level of support, that their options are limited, and that the best society can do is provide care. But that’s outdated thinking. When people are given the right resources and the right opportunities, they can break free of those expectations, and when that happens, the results are extraordinary.

Think about the thousands of NDIS participants who, with the right training and workplace accommodations, could enter the workforce. Employment isn’t just about a paycheck. It’s about dignity, purpose, and being part of something bigger. It’s also about economic impact. More people in jobs means more spending power, higher tax contributions, and reduced long-term reliance on government funding. And the best part? This isn’t theoretical. It’s already happening. Research shows that investing in capacity-building programs leads to higher employment rates, increased community participation, and greater overall independence.

There are stories everywhere of what’s possible when people are given a real chance. Young adults who were once written off as “unemployable” now thriving in careers. Entrepreneurs with disabilities building businesses that serve both their communities and the broader economy. People moving from needing full-time support to managing their own care and advocating for others. These are not exceptions. They are proof of what happens when we stop seeing disability support as a life sentence and start treating it as a launchpad.

And yet, we still have a system that rewards dependence rather than independence. We must recognise that some people will always require a high level of support due to the nature of their disabilities, and as a society, we have a moral obligation to provide that support without hesitation. Ensuring that these individuals receive the care they need should never be up for debate; it's a fundamental measure of our collective humanity. But at the same time, we must challenge the idea that success is measured solely by the amount of support provided. True progress should be defined by how many people gain the tools and opportunities to require less support over time, achieving greater independence and self-determination. That has to change. If we really want to ensure the future sustainability of the NDIS, we need to redefine what success looks like. It’s not about spending less—it’s about spending smarter. It’s about making sure the investment we’re making today reduces the need for support tomorrow.

Capacity building is the future of disability support. It’s the difference between a system that just maintains people’s lives and a system that helps people thrive. And the best part? This isn’t just good for the economy. It’s good for everyone. Because a society that empowers all of its people, regardless of ability, is a society that benefits us all.

This is just the beginning of the conversation. Over the coming articles, we’re going to break this down further, real stories, real numbers, and real solutions. Because this isn’t just about policy. It’s about people. And it’s time we start treating it that way.

Photo by Mathieu Stern on Unsplash