PRESS RELEASE - NDIS & Mental Illness

Mental Illness Fellowship of the NT (MIFANT) acknowledges the recent Court Case decision relating to the NDIS whereby, the judgment did not find in MIFANT’s favour. The case however has raised important issues about the vulnerability of NDIS participants with a psychosocial disability and the safeguards needed to protect them.

MIFANT did not at any time, pursue this case for financial compensation, but to highlight the risks faced by people with psychosocial disabilities in a competitive, for-profit service environment.

While it is recognised that close relationships can inevitably form between service staff and participants, it can also create situations where professional boundaries are blurred, leaving participants susceptible to undue influence. This risk is heightened by the fact that fewer than 20% of NDIS service providers are registered and regulated, and the value of some NDIS packages are substantial.

In over 30 years of operation as a small grass roots charity, MIFANT's concern has always been for the wellbeing of participants. All people living with a severe mental illness/psychosocial disability deserve services that protect their rights, maintain professional standards and ensure they are not exposed to exploitative practices.

MIFANT notes that in a recent Victorian case (Care Legion PTY Ltd vs Addo https://www.austlii.edu.au/.../cases/vic/VCC/2025/634.html) the court recognised the particular vulnerability of NDIS participants with a psychosocial disability and the influence workers may have over them. By contrast, in the NT decision, that vulnerability was not fully acknowledged. This demonstrates the urgent need for consistent judicial awareness of the unique risks faced by NDIS participants, and for the NDIS regulatory framework to provide stronger protections.

MIFANT will continue to advocate for participant safety and wellbeing, professional integrity, and greater oversight in the NDIS. We remain committed to delivering high-quality, person-centred services that prioritise the rights and wellbeing of people with psychosocial disabilities.