The review looked at changes that could be made to the law to streamline NDIS processes, remove barriers to positive participant experiences and introduce the Participant Service Guarantee. The review did not consider changing the design or intent of the NDIS.
The review found that the NDIS Act and its accompanying Rules are broadly fit for purpose but that some areas of the NDIS Act are unnecessarily rigid and do not allow flexibility. The review made recommendations to improve NDIS processes and remove barriers in the law that make it difficult for the NDIA to effectively support people with disability.
The report makes29 recommendations but overall suggests:
- Introducing a Participant Service Guarantee that sets out standards the NDIA must meet including:
- clear expectations for how long processes will take to complete
- more transparency in how the NDIA makes their decisions
- better service delivery from NDIA staff and their Partners in the Community.
- Improving people’s experience with the NDIS by:
- providing more flexibility in using NDIS funding
- allowing plans to be amended
- participants being provided drafts of their plan before it is approved
- better supporting children and families
- clarifying access for people with psychosocial disability
- providing better connections to supports where markets are undersupplied
- enhancing online systems so people can track where their requests are up to.
- The NDIA and governments working together to:
- clarify how the NDIS works with other service systems
- help people navigate, engage with and understand the NDIS
- create resources that help participants decide which supports they should use.
The report is available for download in a variety of formats.
Download report (off-site)- Topics:
- NDIS
- Author:
- David Tune
- Source:
- Department of Social Services
- Date published:
- Mon 20th Jan, 2020