Around 110 people with disability in the Albury-Wodonga region face an uncertain future after their NDIS-funded day program provider announced it would shut down the service by the end of August, citing mounting financial losses and looming changes to how the national disability scheme funds providers.

Aspire Support Services confirmed its Lifestyle & Learning Service — which runs group day programs including activities such as woodwork, cooking and sport to help participants build confidence and independence — will be discontinued from August 28. The decision follows a review conducted with independent advisors.

Why Aspire is closing the program

Aspire, which merged with Personnel Group in 2025, says the service has become financially unviable despite ongoing investment. Personnel Group CEO John Gibbons said the program has been running at a significant loss, and that upcoming reforms to NDIS funding set to take effect from October 1, 2026, would further worsen the operating conditions.

"The service continues to run at a significant loss, and proposed changes to NDIS funding from 1 October 2026 will further impact our operating environment," Mr Gibbons said.

He was careful to note the closure was not a reflection on the quality of the program or its staff, and emphasised that Aspire intends to help all affected clients and families transition to other local providers. Accommodation, plan management and family services offered by the organisation will not be affected by the decision.

"Our priority over the coming weeks is the people affected, and the service will continue without interruption until it closes," Mr Gibbons said. "We remain committed to people with disability in our region, and to supporting everyone affected by this change with the care they deserve."

Families worried about disruption and finding alternatives

For many families, the closure raises deeply practical concerns. Colleen Severs, whose 35-year-old son has been an Aspire client for nearly 18 years, said the program had given him valuable skills across cooking, sports and everyday living. While she acknowledged the provider had been transparent and supportive throughout the process, she is worried about clients who struggle with change.

"There's a lot of other clients who really struggle with change [and will] struggle with behavioural issues, which when you change their environment is a bit of a trigger," she said.

Ms Severs said not every provider offers the same mix of activities and opportunities, making it harder for families to find a like-for-like replacement. She also raised concerns about whether other local providers might make similar cuts in the future, potentially further reducing options in the region.

"Not every provider gives you those same opportunities, so it's going to be a matter of finding one that's going to match [for them]," she said.

Advocates warn of broader impact on disabled families

Disability and mental health advocate Hollie-Ann Newman, who relocated to Albury from the Gold Coast three years ago partly because of the region's access to disability supports, said the closure would have real consequences for families without informal support networks.

Ms Newman, who sits on the board of the Australian Neurodivergent Parents Association, said her family relies on services including Aspire to help her son participate in the community. She noted the NDIS funding is currently supporting her son's critical transition to school — a high-stakes process requiring specialist support.

"We have the understanding of his diagnoses, language, tools and skills to support our son and ourselves," she said. "It's currently funding his transition to school, which for a child with his profile is a huge, high-stakes step that needs specialist support to get right."

The closure underscores growing anxieties among disability service users about the sustainability of NDIS-funded providers, particularly in regional areas where alternatives may be limited. Aspire says it will continue operating the service until the August 28 end date and is actively working to connect affected participants with other local options.