New data from the Kismet Care Index is shedding light on how effectively the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is functioning across Australia - and the picture is mixed.

Drawing on insights from nearly 50,000 participants nationwide, the index highlights stark differences between metro and regional communities. While some electorates, such as Leichhardt electorate in Far North Queensland, are performing strongly with plan utilisation rates above the national average, many regional, rural and remote areas continue to face significant barriers to accessing support.

The data reinforces a challenge that providers and participants know all too well: lower utilisation in regional areas isn’t always about choice - it’s often about access. Limited provider availability, longer wait times and the complexity of navigating the system can make it harder for people to receive the support their plans were designed to fund.

In this news segment, the findings from the Kismet Care Index highlight the growing need to better understand regional communities and address the structural barriers that continue to shape access to care.