THE merits of increasing the National Disability Insurance Scheme's 65-year age limit need to be explored, a parliamentary inquiry warns.
A seniors group is furious the federal government is retaining the cut-off, saying it will condemn many older people to a "cruel lottery".
The federal government pre-empted a Senate NDIS inquiry report by announcing on Wednesday several amendments to the draft NDIS laws, including letting people decide if they want to continue receiving care under the NDIS when they turn 65.
However, people who become disabled after they turn 65 will not be eligible to join the scheme and will enter the aged-care system instead.
The legislation is being debated in the lower house this week and should pass parliament next week.
The Productivity Commission recommended the cut-off to avoid duplication of services with the aged care system.
National Seniors Australia chief executive Michael O'Neill said it could condemn some to a cruel lottery.
People who get a severe disability at 64 could be covered for life.
"Acquire exactly the same disability at age 65 and you'll be shunted into the second-rate, user-pays aged care system," he told AAP.
The government's amendments also remove an onus on disabled people to seek compensation, so the NDIS agency can do so on their behalf.
Opposition Leader Tony Abbott says when it comes to the NDIS he is "Dr Yes".
"Always have been, always will be," he told parliament.
The government-controlled Senate Community Affairs committee released its report into the NDIS on Wednesday with 29 recommendations.
These include more research on the costs and benefits of varying the NDIS age eligibility criteria, funding for independent disability advocacy and a requirement that three NDIS board places go to people with disabilities.
The committee also recommended disabled prisoners get appropriate access to the NDIS.
The government should work with states and territories to ensure there is adequate disability support for people aged 65 and older whose disabilities are related to the ageing process, it said.
Coalition senators said in the report that legitimate questions about funding and due diligence should not be portrayed as a lack of commitment to the NDIS.
They flagged an amendment that would set up a non-partisan parliamentary NDIS oversight committee, a proposal the government has previously rejected.
Australian Greens senator Rachel Siewert says the amendments don't go far enough.
"There's no guarantee the aged-care system has the capacity to support over-65s with a disability," she said.
Many survivors of polio were likely to miss out if the age limit stayed in place.
She also wants an additional launch site set up in rural or remote Aboriginal communities.
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