Following on from our recent blog on Minister Robert's speech at the National Press Club, this article provides a bit more detail on the improvements identified by the recent review and the priorities highlighted by the Minister. In his recent speech, National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) Minister Stuart Robert confirmed that the plan’s roll-out as the ‘largest social reform this country has seen since the introduction of Medicare.’ Minister Robert admitted, however,

Participants on the NDIS could ask for plans to be extended up to three years amid changes to the troubled scheme. Recently, Federal NDIS minister Stuart Robert has announced changes including allowing people to lengthen plans from one to up to three years. "A longer plan duration means participants can carry on accessing supports without needing to go through frequent plan reviews and can plan for longer term goals," he said. Optional three year plans will best for participa

In a recent statement Australian Unity has confirmed that it will scale down its NDIS services over the next 12 months. At least 3,000 NDIS recipients from regional NSW and Victoria will have to find new care providers as a result of this decision. Australian Unity confirmed that the decision was a consequence of the financial pressures facing NDIS providers. A spokesperson confirmed that this decision was vital in ensuring that Australian Unity continues to provide high stan

There is significant change involved for providers to transition to the new behaviour support and restrictive practices arrangements as part of the NDIS Quality and Safeguarding Commission. As the NDIS Commission begins operation progressively across Australia, transitional provisions give providers time to meet the new requirements. In this blog we update you on the new requirements for providers. The new arrangements for behaviour support under the NDIS Commission focus on

Newly re-elected Prime Minister Scott Morrison says fixing problems in the National Disability Insurance Scheme will be an immediate priority for the re-elected Coalition government. The Prime Minister has publicly stated following the win that addressing failures in the NDIS was among his first priorities. This pledge has been welcomed by disability groups who are keen to see immediate action taken by the new Cabinet to improve the way the scheme works. During the election c

A new short course is now available to assist all NDIS workers to better support people with disability. The Worker Orientation Module: ‘Quality, Safety and You’ is a free, interactive online short course that explains the obligations of workers under the NDIS Code of Conduct from the perspective of NDIS participants. It was developed in consultation with the sector, including NDIS providers and people with a disability. It takes approximately 90 minutes to complete the f

The Royal Commission is holding public hearings in Sydney from Monday 6 May 2019 to Wednesday 8 May 2019, and from Monday 13 May 2019 to Friday 17 May 2019. Residents of aged care facilities will provide first-hand accounts of their lives in institutions during these hearings and 40 people have been called to provide evidence to the Commission. The Sydney hearings will inquire into: the perspective and experience of people in residential aged care and people living with demen

The CEO of the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) has resigned after less than two years in the job. Robert De Luca quit effective immediately to become CEO of community health organisation Zenitas Healthcare. His replacement will be appointed by the incoming government after the May 18 federal election, and Deputy CEO Vicki Rundle will act as CEO until then. "It has been a privilege to serve participants and to progress this important scheme of huge national signifi

The Australian Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission has appointed Dr Melanie Wroth as its first Chief Clinical Advisor. Commissioner Janet Anderson said Dr Wroth, who has an extensive background in geriatric medicine, will provide expert clinical advice to Commission staff and also assist aged care providers to source and access guidance on best practice clinical care for people receiving aged care services. “This appointment comes at an important time, as the Commission a

The recent Federal Budget confirmed around $1.6 billion in funding earmarked for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) had been left unspent and will not be added to its 2019–20 funding allocation. The leftover money will go towards the Government’s surplus, a move made possible after responsibility for NDIS appropriations was shifted from the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) to the Department of Social Services. Associate Professor Bob Davis, Chair

Today, Prime Minister Scott Morrison has officially announced a disability royal commission, having gained the necessary approvals from the Governor-General and support from the states and territories. Former Federal Court judge Ronald Sackville AO, QC will lead the commission, supported by five commissioners. "We have to establish a culture of respect for people living with disabilities and the families who support, love and care for them," Mr Morrison said. Key Points Forme

The Federal Treasurer Mr Josh Frydenberg handed down the 2019-20 Federal Budget at 7.30pm on 2 April 2019 and below are some highlights and commentary on the budget items that impact our sector. Disability Royal Commission The federal government will allocate $527.9m over five years for a royal commission into violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation of people with disability. In February Scott Morrison had signalled an expansion to the commission, suggesting it could be of

The recent release of the Federal Government’s National Workforce Strategy is disappointing, with much of the strategy a rehash of old news, the peak body for disability service providers said today. National Disability Services (NDS) Acting CEO, David Moody, said NDS has been calling for a National Workforce Strategy to support the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) since 2013, when the scheme was introduced with bipartisan support. “The Government appears to have p

A couple of recent announcements regarding reforms to the Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) program should provide some positive news to participants and providers. National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) participants will now be able to apply for SDA straight away without having to investigate all other accommodation options, and includes the removal of the majority bedroom rule to allow more properties to be enrolled as SDA, allowing couples to share a bedroom a

Assistive Technology (AT) will be easy to replace under a simpler process set to benefit National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) participants. From April 2019, the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) will begin a pilot introducing a new process which will mean replacements for standard AT items will be quickly assessed without needing a full re-assessment, only requiring one quote for items valued between $1,500 and $15,000. Minister for Families and Social Servic

It is looking increasingly likely that the Prime Minister, Scott Morrison is moving toward calling a royal commission into the abuse of disabled Australians, with major states ready to sign up to support an inquiry which could cover decades of horrific allegations. Prime Minister Scott Morrison has written to the states and territories asking for their support in establishing a royal commission into abuse in the disabled sector. New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia h

The Australian Government has announced an additional 10,000 home care packages as part of an $662M aged care investment to support older Australians. The funding boost, announced ahead of the first Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, will also include $320 million for residential care, equating to approximately $1,800 per permanent resident over the next 18 months while the Government considers a longer-term funding approach. “We need to have a culture of res