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 participants in stable situations with needs unlikely to change, Mr Roberts said. They would be for people confident their funds would achieve their goals and who were working on long term goals like learning new skills, moving into or maintaining employment or becoming more active in the community.
We have listened to participants who have told us they would like greater plan flexibility, particularly the option of longer term plans, when their support needs are unlikely to change,’ he said. ‘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. It will also provide greater certainty for NDIS providers.’
The longer term plans, of up to three years, are designed for participants who are in a stable situation with their support needs unlikely to change, are confident in using their funding to achieve their goals and are focused on longer term goals such as learning new skills, moving into or maintaining employment or becoming more active in the community. Participants will still have the option to review the plan at any time if their circumstances change.
The announcement comes after Mr Roberts announced a plan to improve the service, acknowledging the roll out since 2016 had "not always been easy" in an address to the National Press Club. The plan includes improving long-term outcomes and give people better access to quality decision making.
"The image of a plane taking off while still being built remains an apt description. "A number of parliamentary inquiries have head of problems with the scheme.
For more information on the changes please click the following link.