New Zealand Introduces Disability Support Services Bill to Parliament

The New Zealand Government has introduced the Disability Support Services (DSS) Bill to Parliament, marking a significant step toward creating a clearer, more transparent, and sustainable disability support system for tens of thousands of disabled New Zealanders and their families.

Minister for Disability Issues Louise Upston said the new legislation aims to provide long-needed legal clarity for Disability Support Services, which have operated for years without a dedicated legislative framework despite playing a crucial role in the lives of many New Zealanders.

According to the Government, the Bill will establish the foundations of the disability support system, clarify how funding is used, and improve fairness and consistency in decision-making while ensuring current services and support remain unchanged.

Creating a Clear Legal Foundation for Disability Support

Announcing the legislation, Louise Upston said the absence of a formal legal structure for Disability Support Services has made it difficult for disabled people, carers, and families to fully understand what support is available, who qualifies for assistance, and how eligibility decisions are made.

“Disability Support Services plays a vital role in people’s lives, but it has been operating without a clear legislative foundation,” the Minister said.

“This Bill establishes a framework that clearly outlines the purpose of Disability Support Services, how the system operates, and how public funding can be used.”

The Government says the legislation is designed to increase transparency, accountability, and long-term sustainability within the disability support sector while giving disabled people and their families greater certainty about the future of support services.

Existing Support and Funding Will Continue

The Government has stressed that the introduction of the Bill will not reduce or change existing disability support services, funding allocations, or eligibility criteria.

Disabled people currently receiving support, as well as their whānau, carers, and families, will continue to access the services they rely on.

Officials say one of the key goals of the Bill is to provide reassurance and stability after ongoing concerns about the sustainability and administration of disability support services in recent years.

The legislation follows recommendations made after the 2024 Independent Review of Disability Support Services, which examined pressures within the system and called for reforms to improve consistency and financial sustainability.

Minister Upston said the Government has already taken urgent action over the past two years to stabilise the system, including introducing a nationally consistent assessment process and expanding flexibility for people using disability funding.

“This legislation is the next step in building a fairer and more sustainable support system,” she said.

Greater Clarity Around the Role of Families and Whānau

One of the major features of the Bill is clarification around the role of families, whānau, and carers in supporting disabled people.

The legislation states that Disability Support Services funding is intended as a contribution toward helping disabled people live everyday lives, while recognising that families and communities also play an important role in providing care and support.

The Government says the Bill reflects how the disability support system already operates in practice and does not mean support will be withdrawn from disabled people whose families assist them.

Louise Upston acknowledged that many families and carers provide essential daily support and said the Government wants to ensure they remain recognised within the broader support system.

“Families and whānau have responsibility for the wellbeing of their members in the first instance where appropriate, but that does not mean DSS will stop helping disabled people whose families support them,” she explained.

Response to Supreme Court Decision on Family Carers

The Bill also responds to issues raised by a landmark Supreme Court decision delivered in December, which ruled that two individuals being paid to care for family members were legally employees of the state.

The Government says the legislation does not affect those two successful claims, but Minister Upston indicated that the Government believes there are more suitable ways to support carers than classifying family members as state employees.

She confirmed that additional work is underway to develop a new package aimed at better recognising and supporting carers across New Zealand.

“I believe there are better ways to recognise and support carers than treating family members as state employees,” she said.

The Minister added that public consultation on future support measures for carers is expected, with further announcements likely in the near future.

Expanded Support for Carers and Families

The Government says the Bill builds on earlier reforms aimed at improving support for carers and families.

For the first time, carers’ needs — including access to respite care options — are now formally included as part of disability support assessments.

In addition, from April 1, 2026, disabled people using flexible funding arrangements gained greater choice and control over how they use their support funding.

Officials say these changes are intended to improve personal independence and allow disabled people and their families to tailor support services more effectively to their individual needs.

Major Investment in Disability Support

The Government has also highlighted its financial commitment to the disability support system.

According to Louise Upston, the past two national Budgets included a record $2.1 billion in additional funding for disability support services.

The Government says the investment is aimed at improving long-term sustainability, strengthening frontline services, and ensuring support remains available for those with the greatest needs.

“My priority is making sure we are fixing the basics of disability support and building a sustainable future that disabled people, their families, and carers can rely on,” the Minister said.

Support for Tens of Thousands of New Zealanders

Disability Support Services currently provide assistance to around 55,000 disabled people living in the community and residential care settings across New Zealand.

In addition, approximately 100,000 people access environmental support products and services that help them live more safely and independently.

The system also funds Child Development Services for around 26,000 disabled children each year, supporting them in reaching developmental and educational milestones.

These services play a critical role in helping disabled children, adults, and families participate more fully in everyday life and maintain independence.

Next Steps for the Bill

Following its first reading in Parliament, the Disability Support Services Bill is expected to be referred to the Social Services and Community Committee for further examination and public submissions.

The committee process will allow disabled people, advocacy groups, carers, service providers, and members of the public to provide feedback on the proposed legislation before it progresses further through Parliament.

The Government says the reforms are intended to create a disability support system that is fairer, simpler, and more sustainable while continuing to provide essential support for vulnerable New Zealanders.