Unpacking the new NDIS Bill: Key changes for advocates
How did we get here?
On 22 August 2024, the National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Getting the NDIS Back on Track No. (1) Bill 2024 was passed by the Parliament. These new laws lay the foundation for significant changes to the way that the NDIS works, and will eventually have impacts across the types of supports people use, the way that people are allocated NDIS plans, and the Agency’s powers to regulate the market and raise debts against people.
These changes will happen in stages, and we expect that the new definition of ‘NDIS Supports,’ Access changes, and debts will be a large part of the advocacy workload in the coming months. We expect changes to needs assessment, plan funding, foundational supports and other initiatives to be developed and rolled out through 2025.
To help our members navigate these changes, DANA has developed this online resource page to break down the key reforms, impacts, and what they mean for the advocacy sector. We will keep updating this page as we get further information.
New NDIS Supports List ↴
Foundational Supports ↴
Advocates Issue Log ↴
New NDIS Supports List
As of 3 October 2024, the new changes to the NDIS have taken effect. Including what will be funded under Section 10 (NDIS Supports) and how funding is calculated.
The new lists can be found here.
We know that the new definition of ‘NDIS Support’ in the updates to the NDIS Act are likely to have big impacts on the people that advocates are supporting. While these new draft rules are in place the Federal and State Governments are working on permanent definitions that will shape the future of the NDIS and start to draw boundries between ‘NDIS Supports’ and ‘Foundational Supports.’
Foundational Supports
The concept of “foundational supports” was introduced in the recommendations of the 2023 NDIS Review. These supports are meant to fill the gap between NDIS-funded individual support and mainstream services. There is ongoing consultation by governments calling for community input on what foundational supports should provide and how they should be structured, accessed and adapted to local needs and community
Although there is still significant uncertainty and guesswork in predicting and evaluating potential implications, DANA is interested in hearing from members and representing your views on issues including access, capacity shortfalls, collecting data on unmet demand, independence and managing conflicts, and the important connections between different models of advocacy.
Read our Issues paper, outlining some of the current issues, challenges and unresolved questions for our members to consider, reflect on and provide feedback.
DSS Engage Consultations open until 5 December 2024
The Foundational Supports consultation round is now open on DSS Engage until 5 December 2024. There are several upcoming events where you can attend a roundtable conversation, online or in person. Events have started, including in regional areas, register now. To find the event closest to you, visit the DSS website here.
Advocate 'NDIS Supports' Issue Log
DANA wants to collect stories about how people who have NDIS plans and are supported by advocates are affected by these changes. We are particularly those who are being supported by advocates and/or are experiencing additional marginalisation. This form can be used to log the support that’s been blocked, how they got that info, and how it’s affecting the person you’re supporting. You can complete this survey multiple times to log extra stories about how section 10 is affecting people.
Please do not share this link with providers, support coordinators, or those working outside of the disability advocacy sector. DANA is focused on building an evidence base from advocates only at this time.
This form should take about 5 mins to complete.
Please keep stories de-identified. This information will be used in aggregate and in background, and there is an option to be contacted if parties are comfortable being cited directly at the end of the form.
Any questions, issues, or concerns please contact Policy Officer, Liam Thatcher.
Click here to tell your story
Latest news on NDIS Bill
Issues paper on foundational supports and disability advocacy
You can now read this Issues paper by DANA about disability advocacy and foundational supports, outlining some of the current issues, challenges and unresolved questions for our members to consider, reflect on and provide feedback.
Government Releases NDIS Support Lists
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DANA’s Submission on the Draft NDIS Supports List
21 AUGUST 2024Two weeks ago, the Government released draft lists defining what’s in and what’s out for NDIS supports under the new NDIS Bill being debated in the Senate. We initially shared our thoughts in a blog post, and have since collaborated with members and...