The cost of National Disability Insurance Scheme payments to participants with autism has blown out to more than $10 billion annually after a record 62,500 children and adults diagnosed with the disorder piled into the scheme last year.
As Treasurer Jim Chalmers called for fiscal restraint ahead of the May 12 budget, an analysis of the latest NDIS data suggests a surge in Australians being diagnosed with autism and other neurodivergent disorders, adding to the already overwhelmed system.