Accountability through Budgeting: The Case of Australia’s National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)

The NDIS was founded on the principle that individual participants/users should have choice and control in deciding the service requirements. Hence, individual budgets are crucial in determining the extent, type and quality of disability services NDIS participants can/will access. The researchers will conduct in-depth interviews with a cross-section of NDIS participants. The initial project will involve 20 semi-structured interviews, which will explore participants’ views of the effectiveness and accountability of three main aspects of NDIS budget processes: (i) budget setting and development; (ii) budget usage, including barriers and enablers for budget utilisation; and (iii) downward accountability for budget/participant outcomes.