The Albanese Government has announced (12 MAY 2025) a significant reshuffle of key social policy portfolios, moving the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) from Social Services to the Health portfolio under Minister Mark Butler. Tanya Plibersek steps in as the new Minister for Social Services, replacing Amanda Rishworth. This major reshuffle brings Health, Disability, and Social Services together.
These changes come after dramatic shifts in the last 12 months in disability policy and a body of reforms that are yet to be completed, which have left many participants and providers uncertain about the NDIS’s future. The move is part of a broader effort to integrate Health, disability, and aged care services and to strengthen the government’s response to the Disability Royal Commission.
Key Ministers and Their Roles
Mark Butler: Minister for Health, Ageing, Disability, and the NDIS
Mark Butler now holds one of the most powerful super portfolios in government, combining responsibility for Health, Ageing, Disability, and the NDIS. His department now oversees policy and legislative responsibility for the NDIS Act (excluding financial provisions), as well as the administration of Foundational Supports (basic supports being developed in partnership with states and territories for people with disability, previously managed the Department of Social Services and its Minister).
Mark Butler’s expanded role formalises his central policy position on disability within Cabinet, but also raises questions about how responsibilities will be coordinated with the Minister for Social Services, especially for community-based programs outside the NDIS.
Butler has a strong track record in Health and social inclusion, having previously served as Minister for Ageing and Australia’s first Minister for Mental Health. He has championed practical reforms and increased investment in inclusive health services. He is committed to ensuring people with disability are at the centre of policy and service delivery. Butler is expected to play a leading role in implementing the recommendations of the Disability Royal Commission and (we hope) ensuring a social model of disability is maintained across the Health, disability, and aged care systems.
He is supported by junior Ministers, Jenny McAllister and Sam Rae.
Jenny McAllister: Minister for the NDIS
Senator Jenny McAllister, now Minister for the NDIS, will support the scheme’s delivery, policy reform, and stakeholder engagement. She will likely lead co-design efforts with Disability Representative Organisations like Deafness Forum Australia and people with disability, and play a key role in accountability and access outcomes. While McAllister brings policy and stakeholder engagement experience to the job, her background has not focused on disability-specific programs.
Sam Rae: Minister for the Aged Care and Seniors portfolio
Sam Rae is a newcomer to federal politics. He has the reputation of being a pragmatic policy strategist with a background in both public and private sectors. Reporting to Minister Butler, Rae’s responsibilities include oversight of aged care reform, residential and in-home care services, and the development of policies to support older Australians’ wellbeing and independence. He is also tasked with driving improvements in workforce capability and ensuring the sector’s long-term sustainability. His rapid rise through the Victorian Labor right faction and reputation for tackling complex logistical challenges signal a focus on practical, evidence-based solutions for Australia’s ageing population.
Tanya Plibersek: Minister for Social Services
Tanya Plibersek, a seasoned social justice and inclusion advocate, now leads Social Services (a different but complementary portfolio to Health). Her portfolio retains authority over income supports and the broader social policy framework for people with disability who are not NDIS participants. Plibersek oversees Disability Employment Services, the Disability Support Pension, Carer payments, and the implementation of the Disability Services and Inclusion Act 2023. She also leads the delivery of Australia’s Disability Strategy and community inclusion initiatives.
Ged Kearney: Assistant Minister for Social Services and Family Violence Prevention
Ged Kearney is a former nurse and union leader. Her portfolio covers key national initiatives to support vulnerable Australians, including oversight of family violence prevention policy, social services delivery, and the advancement of gender equality and community safety. Kearney brings decades of advocacy for social justice, workers’ rights, and universal healthcare, shaped by her leadership as President of the ACTU and Federal Secretary of the Australian Nursing Federation
What’s Changed?
- NDIS now sits with Health: Mark Butler’s super portfolio signals an integrated approach between health and disability supports, especially in areas like hospital discharge, allied Health, and Foundational Supports.
- Tanya Plibersek takes Social Services: With decades of experience in social justice, Plibersek’s leadership is expected to bring renewed focus to inclusion, income support, and community services for people with disability outside the NDIS.
- Amanda Rishworth moves to Employment and Workplace Relations: Rishworth’s departure from Social Services marks another significant shift in the disability policy landscape.
Critical Questions and Next Steps
This new division of responsibilities raises several vital questions:
- With “Foundational Supports” now listed under Health, it remains unclear how service delivery responsibilities will be divided or coordinated between departments, and clarification is being sought on these functional overlaps and governance arrangements.
- How will alignment be ensured between the NDIS, Foundational Supports, and non-scheme services still managed by Social Services?
- What governance mechanisms will manage interdepartmental coordination, especially for implementing Disability Royal Commission recommendations?
- How will the government maintain a social model of disability across the Health, disability, and aged care systems?
Greater Integration and Stability
With the NDIS and Health now under one Minister, there is hope for a stronger push towards seamless support between the health and disability systems. Plibersek’s background hints at a renewed focus on the intersection of disability with housing, income support, and community services. After sweeping change and uncertainty, these appointments suggest a move toward more stable, coordinated, and consultative leadership in disability policy.
The Disability Community’s Perspective
The disability community will be watching closely to see how these experienced ministers translate their track records into practical improvements for NDIS participants and all Australians with disability. As the government seeks to clarify responsibilities and governance, the focus must remain on maintaining and strengthening the social model of disability, ensuring that reforms deliver real benefits for people with disability and their families.