Approximately 250,000 to 350,000 New Zealanders, residing in Australia, are denied access to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), despite being required to pay the NDIS levy.

NDIS services are restricted to Australian citizens, permanent residents and Protected Special Category Visa-holders. New Zealanders residing in Australia as special category visa-holders (SCV) are temporary residents under the Migration Act.

Children born in Australia to two non-protected SCV New Zealand citizen parents are not granted Australian citizenship at birth. They are denied any care required under the NDIS until they reach the age of ten, when they will be eligible for Australian citizenship.

How you can help

If you are angry about this, help do something about it. Call your Federal MP, write a letter or email them asking them why Kiwis pay the NDIS levy but can’t access support.

More information and resources for contacting MPs can be found here.