New forecasts show the rapidly expanding NDIS is poised to blow a $5.7 billion hole in Jim Chalmers’ second budget, with almost 200 Australians joining the program each day and participant numbers outstripping projections released only months ago.

The National Disability Insurance Scheme is one of the largest sources of pressure on the federal government’s bottom line. The October budget revealed the scheme’s cost is growing at a faster rate than any other area of spending outside of interest on the national debt.