DOCUMENT 1
FOI 25/26-0905
From:
s47F- personal privacy Lucy <Lucy.s47F- personal @Health
privacy
.gov.au>
Sent:
Thursday, 4 September 2025 7:45 AM
To:
News; media
Cc:
s47F- personal privacy Keely; s47F- personal Enya;
privacy
s47F- personal
Isab
priv
ella; s47F- personal privacy, Leonidas; s47F- personal Lucy
Subject:
Fw: Menzies NDIS analysis [SEC=OFFICIAL]
Hey can the dept and agency provide us a few lines in response to these questions pls
s47F- personal p
From: Michael
Sent: Thursday, September 4, 2025 7:50 am
s47F- personal privacy
To:
Lucy
Subject: Menzies NDIS analysis
REMINDER: Think before you click! This email originated from outside our organisation. Only click
links or open attachments if you recognise the sender and know the content is safe.
Hi Lucy
I am writing a story today based around (embargoed) research from the Menzies Centre which shows
discrepancies in NDIS participation, particularly for autism and developmental delays, depending on
where you live in Sydney. Rates are as much as six times
The analysis by Nico Louw (who I note is a former adviser to Morrison) suggests participation rates
are as much as six times higher in lower socio-economic areas in western Sydney, NW and SW
Sydney, than more affluent council areas in the city's north and east. They have only analysed Sydney
data using NDIA and ABS stats.
For eg. the percentage of residents who are on NDIS with autism as primary diagnosis is 1 in 70
residents, or 1.43 per cent, in the Blue Mountains compared to 1 in 415, or 0.24 per cent, in the City of
Sydney council area.
Menzies and other commentators say the data highlights the need for the government to have a
clearer understanding of where the needs are and why this is happening.
Let me know if the Minister wants to comment.
1
Page 1 of 9
DOCUMENT 2
FOI 25/26-0905
From:
s47F- person L auren on behalf of media
Sent:
Thursday, 4 September 2025 11:24 AM
To:
News; media
Subject:
RE: Menzies NDIS analysis [SEC=OFFICIAL]
Hi Jacqui,
The information we have is also from the publicly available data.
We are putting together lines to address access is not based on area rather substantial reduction
of functional capacity.
Will send them to you once cleared.
Kind Regards
Lauren s47F- personal p
a/g Assistant Director Media
Media | Strategic Communications Division
National Disability Insurance Agency
Phone: s47F- personal privacy
Email: lauren.
@
s47F- persona
ndis.gov.au
The NDIA acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and their
continuing connection to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to them and their cultures
and to Elders past, present and emerging.
Note to media: all information contained in this email is on background and should not be attributed
unless specified otherwise.
From: News
Sent: Thursday, 4 September 2025 11:35 AM
To: News ; media
Subject: RE: Menzies NDIS analysis [SEC=OFFICIAL]
1
Page 3 of 9
FOI 25/26-0905
OFFICIAL
Hi team,
Our policy area has suggested you might be able to provide data on demographics of NDIS
participants with Autism, as well as data on EI pathways and participation rates?
We can point to publicly available NDIS data on demographics of NDIS participants with Autism by
age and NDIS Service Districts, but this doesn’t quite match the locations in the enquiry (not sure if
you would have this data).
DHDA is putting together some general lines on autism supports (including NAS and funding), which
we can share once finalised.
Grateful if you could please let us know what you are looking to provide the MO?
Cheers,
Jacqui
OFFICIAL
From: News <xxxx@xxxxxx.xxx.xx>
Sent: Thursday, 4 September 2025 8:22 AM
To: media <xxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx>
Cc: News <xxxx@xxxxxx.xxx.xx>
Subject: FW: Menzies NDIS analysis [SEC=OFFICIAL]
OFFICIAL
Hi team,
Confirming the enquiry below is one for the NDIA to respond to.
Thanks,
Jason
Jason s47F- personal privacy
Assistant Director
Media and Events, Corporate Communication Branch
Australian Government, Department of Health, Disability
T: s47F- personal privacy | E jason.s47F- personal @
privacy
health,gov.au
The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing acknowledges First Nations peoples as the Traditional Owners of Country
throughout Australia, and their connection to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to them and their cultures,
and to all Elders both past and present.
2
Page 4 of 9
FOI 25/26-0905
OFFICIAL
From: s47F- personal privacy Lucy <Lucy.s47F- personal @H
privacy
ealth.gov.au>
Sent: Thursday, 4 September 2025 8:15 AM
To: News <xxxx@xxxxxx.xxx.xx>; media <xxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx>
Cc: s47F- personal privacy Keely <Keely.s47F- personal xxxxxxx@xxxxxx.xxx.xx>; s47F- personal privacy Enya <Enya.s47F- personal @He
privac
alth.gov.au>; s47F- personal
priv
Isabella <Isabella s47F- personal @
pr
Health.gov.au>; s47F- personal privacy, Leonidas <Leonidas.s47F- personal xxxxxxx@xxxxxx.xxx.xx>;
s47F- personal pLucy <Lucy.
@
s47F- persona
Health.gov.au>
Subject: Fw: Menzies NDIS analysis
Hey can the dept and agency provide us a few lines in response to these questions pls
From: Michael s47F- personal <
p
michael.s47F- personal @afr.com>
Sent: Thursday, September 4, 2025 7:50 am
To: s47F- personal privacy Lucy <Lucy.s47F- personal xxxxxxx@xxxxxx.xxx.xx>
Subject: Menzies NDIS analysis
REMINDER: Think before you click! This email originated from outside our organisation. Only click
links or open attachments if you recognise the sender and know the content is safe.
Hi Lucy,
I am writing a story today based around (embargoed) research from the Menzies Centre which shows
discrepancies in NDIS participation, particularly for autism and developmental delays, depending on
where you live in Sydney. Rates are as much as six times.
The analysis by Nico Louw (who I note is a former adviser to Morrison) suggests participation rates
are as much as six times higher in lower socio-economic areas in western Sydney, NW and SW
Sydney, than more affluent council areas in the city's north and east. They have only analysed Sydney
data using NDIA and ABS stats.
For eg. the percentage of residents who are on NDIS with autism as primary diagnosis is 1 in 70
residents, or 1.43 per cent, in the Blue Mountains compared to 1 in 415, or 0.24 per cent, in the City of
Sydney council area.
Menzies and other commentators say the data highlights the need for the government to have a
clearer understanding of where the needs are and why this is happening.
Let me know if the Minister wants to comment.
Thanks
Mike
--
Michael s47F- person
Health Editor
The Australian Financial Review
3
Page 5 of 9
FOI 25/26-0905
Mobile s47F- personal privacy
michael
@afr
s47F- perso
.com.au
Twitter @s47F- personal privacy
The information contained in this e-mail message and any accompanying files is or may be confidential. If you are not the intended recipient, any use,
dissemination, reliance, forwarding, printing or copying of this e-mail or any attached files is unauthorised. This e-mail is subject to copyright. No part of it
should be reproduced, adapted or communicated without the written consent of the copyright owner. If you have received this e-mail in error please advise
the sender immediately by return e-mail or telephone and delete all copies. Nine Group does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any information
contained in this e-mail or attached files. Internet communications are not secure, therefore Nine Group does not accept legal responsibility for the contents
of this message or attached files.
"Important: This transmission is intended only for the use of the addressee and may contain
confidential or legally privileged information. If you are not the intended recipient, you are notified
that any use or dissemination of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you receive this
transmission in error please notify the author immediately and delete all copies of this transmission."
4
Page 6 of 9
DOCUMENT 3
FOI 25/26-0905
From:
s47F- person L auren on behalf of media
Sent:
Thursday, 4 September 2025 1:10 PM
To:
s47F- personal privacy Lucy; News; media
Cc:
s47F- personal privacy Keely; s47F- personal
privacy Enya; s47F- personal
priv Isabella; s47F- personal privacy , Leonidas; s47F- personal
Lucy; s47F- personal privacy Jo;
s47F- perso Ju
lian; s47F- personal privacy Ellen; s47F- personal
priv Shaun; media
Subject:
RE: Menzies NDIS analysis [SEC=OFFICIAL]
Hello Lucy,
Please see the below cleared lines from the NDIA.
//
The NDIS funds eligible participants all across Australia to access the disability-related
supports they require.
It’s vital all NDIS participants and their families receive the disability-related supports they
need, no matter where they live.
There have also been no changes to eligibility criteria, including for children with autism.
Any Australian living with disability who meets the eligibility criteria will receive support
through either the Early Intervention pathway or by becoming a participant on the Scheme.
The NDIS supports over 78,000 participants from NSW with a primary diagnosis of Autism.
//
Kind Regards
Lauren s47F- personal p
a/g Assistant Director Media
Media | Strategic Communications Division
National Disability Insurance Agency
Phone: s47F- personal privacy
Email: lauren.
@
s47F- persona
ndis.gov.au
The NDIA acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and their
continuing connection to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to them and their cultures
and to Elders past, present and emerging.
1
Page 7 of 9
FOI 25/26-0905
Note to media: all information contained in this email is on background and should not be attributed
unless specified otherwise.
From: s47F- personal privacy Lucy
Sent: Thursday, 4 September 2025 8:15 AM
To: News ; media
Cc: s47F- personal privacy Keely ; s47F- personal privacy Enya ; s47F- personal I
priv
sabella ; s47F- personal privacy, Leonidas ; s47F- personal pLucy
Subject: Fw: Menzies NDIS analysis [SEC=OFFICIAL]
Hey can the dept and agency provide us a few lines in response to these questions pls
From: Michael s47F- personal <
p
michael.s47F- personal @afr.com>
Sent: Thursday, September 4, 2025 7:50 am
To: s47F- personal privacy Lucy <Lucy.s47F- personal xxxxxxx@xxxxxx.xxx.xx>
Subject: Menzies NDIS analysis
REMINDER: Think before you click! This email originated from outside our organisation. Only click
links or open attachments if you recognise the sender and know the content is safe.
Hi Lucy
I am writing a story today based around (embargoed) research from the Menzies Centre which shows
discrepancies in NDIS participation, particularly for autism and developmental delays, depending on
where you live in Sydney. Rates are as much as six times
The analysis by Nico Louw (who I note is a former adviser to Morrison) suggests participation rates
are as much as six times higher in lower socio-economic areas in western Sydney, NW and SW
Sydney, than more affluent council areas in the city's north and east. They have only analysed Sydney
data using NDIA and ABS stats.
For eg. the percentage of residents who are on NDIS with autism as primary diagnosis is 1 in 70
residents, or 1.43 per cent, in the Blue Mountains compared to 1 in 415, or 0.24 per cent, in the City of
Sydney council area.
2
Page 8 of 9
FOI 25/26-0905
Menzies and other commentators say the data highlights the need for the government to have a
clearer understanding of where the needs are and why this is happening.
Let me know if the Minister wants to comment.
Thanks
Mike
--
Michael s47F- person
Health Editor
The Australian Financial Review
Mobile s47F- personal privacy
michael
@afr
s47F- perso
.com.au
Twitter @Ms47F- personal privacy
The information contained in this e-mail message and any accompanying files is or may be confidential. If you are not the intended recipient, any use,
dissemination, reliance, forwarding, printing or copying of this e-mail or any attached files is unauthorised. This e-mail is subject to copyright. No part of it
should be reproduced, adapted or communicated without the written consent of the copyright owner. If you have received this e-mail in error please advise
the sender immediately by return e-mail or telephone and delete all copies. Nine Group does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any information
contained in this e-mail or attached files. Internet communications are not secure, therefore Nine Group does not accept legal responsibility for the contents
of this message or attached files.
"Important: This transmission is intended only for the use of the addressee and may contain
confidential or legally privileged information. If you are not the intended recipient, you are notified
that any use or dissemination of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you receive this
transmission in error please notify the author immediately and delete all copies of this transmission."
3
Page 9 of 9
