NDIS Minister Bill Shorten has announced public consultation on draft lists of what constitute NDIS Supports.
The proposed lists of NDIS Supports have been developed based on current practices and will form part of a transitional rule, until the Commonwealth and states and territories formally agree on a rule to replace it.
Public consultation on NDIS supports closes on 18 August 2024. Once consultation has finished – and subject to legislation passing Parliament – the government intends that this will provide greater certainty for NDIS participants and empower them to make informed decisions about what supports are right for them. The change will also help the change to more flexible budgets, as recommended by the NDIS Review.
“The purpose of defining NDIS Supports is to make it clearer for participants what they can and can’t use their NDIS funds to buy,” Shorten said.
“We’ve listened to the participants and providers who have said there isn’t enough guidance out there to support them. This consultation is part of the broader reform of the NDIS, to deliver better outcomes for Australians with disability. The NDIS Review found the scheme needed to be restored to its original intent. Better defining NDIS supports will enable us to move closer to realising that intent.”
According to the minister, nothing will change for participants or providers while consultation takes place, and all levels of government will consider feedback before finalising how to explain the defined supports.
Shorten said the Australian Government had been working with the states and territories, and disability advocacy groups, to develop the draft list of defined supports before the public consultation.
The draft lists can be found on the DSS Engage website, and anyone wishing to provide feedback can do so at the same location: engage.dss.gov.au