Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says the government is prepared to do what it takes to address fraud to ensure every dollar of the NDIS is spent in the right way.

Speaking on Sky News this afternoon, Albanese said in response to any unscrupulous providers who saw the scheme as a cash cow “the government’s prepared to take measures to ensure that every dollar is spent in the right way and that it’s spent in order to improve people’s lives”.

“The NDIS shouldn’t be seen as just a cost,” he said.

“What the NDIS does is enable people to fully participate in society to make the contribution of the economy to make a contribution to their family and their communities.”

Albanese said the up-coming budget would be largely defined by spending restraint and dealing with immediate challenges.

“We are looking for areas in which we can show that restraint,” he said.

“We want to make sure that we, as well, build for the future.”

This included a focus on investment on addressing skills shortages, new manufacturing jobs, and better childcare to increase women’s participation in the workforce.