PDCN welcomes several investments in the 2026-27 NSW Budget that will improve access to transport and strengthen the disability advocacy sector. However, we expected to see more resources allocated to developing foundational supports for people with physical disabilities and making sure that new housing investments deliver accessible homes.
Positive new investments for people with physical disabilities
$15 million additional investment in wheelchair accessible taxis
We strongly welcome the new $15 million investment to increase the supply of wheelchair accessible taxis, building on a previous $15 million emergency package announced in 2024. This reflects sustained advocacy from PDCN in response to the ongoing decline in wheelchair taxi availability across NSW.
While this investment is an important step, long-term market stability will also require regulatory reform. PDCN will continue working with government to ensure structural changes are made to support a sustainable and reliable wheelchair taxi market so that wheelchair users can travel to work, education, medical appointments, social activities and community events.
A 25% increase to the Taxi Transport Subsidy Scheme (TTSS)
The Budget also increases funding for the Taxi Transport Subsidy Scheme to $49 million (up from $39 million in 2025-26), a 25% uplift. The scheme remains a critical transport support, providing half-price taxi fares for people who cannot use public transport due to their disability.
Continued investments welcomed
PDCN also welcomes continued investment in key areas supporting accessibility and inclusion:
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- Long-term disability advocacy sector funding, including the introduction of five-year contracts for the first time. Longer term contracts will provide improved workforce stability and specialist expertise; this means more money can be spent helping people, rather than trying to secure future funding.
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- $429.5 million over four years for the continuation of the Safe Accessible Transport Program, continuing upgrades across the rail network to improve safety, amenity and compliance with accessibility standards.
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Despite these positive measures, PDCN is disappointed that the Budget does not address several critical priorities for people with physical disabilities.
No financial commitment yet to foundational supports for people with physical disabilities
People with physical disabilities report significant service gaps for those not eligible for the NDIS. Over half of people with physical disabilities surveyed by PDCN say adequate supports do not exist outside the scheme, and satisfaction with current options is low. There is overwhelming support (96.6%) for foundational supports in NSW, particularly in areas such as daily life assistance, health, assistive technology, transport, mental health and housing.
There is no funding allocation in the budget or roadmap for foundational supports for people with physical disabilities. While the Federal Government has progressed the Thriving Kids initiative for children aged eight and under with autism and developmental delay who are not eligible for the NDIS, there is no equivalent system for people with physical disability.
This gap is increasingly urgent given ongoing changes to the NDIS and the risk that some people may lose access to supports without alternative systems in place. PDCN calls on the NSW and Federal Governments to urgently clarify funding responsibilities, implementation timelines, and system design. We also call on the NSW Government to commit to undertaking a comprehensive needs analysis and publish a co-design and consultation plan for foundational supports in NSW.
Missed opportunity on accessible housing
The Budget allocates $32.3 million over four years to modernise building approvals and establish a Modern Methods of Construction framework to accelerate housing supply. However, there is no requirement that new homes built under these reforms meet accessibility standards. While the NSW Pattern Book designs align with Livable Housing Design Standards (which ensure homes are built to minimum accessibility standards including step-free access and accessible bathroom designs) their use is encouraged rather than mandated. This is a missed opportunity.
Retrofitting inaccessible housing is significantly more expensive than building accessible homes from the outset. In the context of a housing crisis in NSW, people with disabilities are left either with little to no housing options that meet their needs, or with fronting the costs to retrofit homes that are inaccessible from the outset.
PDCN calls on the NSW Government to urgently adopt Livable Housing Design Standards for all new homes built in NSW to ensure future housing supply is inclusive, cost-effective and fit for an ageing population as disability prevalence increases significantly with age.
