Safeguards are things or actions people with disability, or their friends and families can do to manage risks of harm that may be present in their lives.
The policy outlines our commitment to support people with disability who engage with the NDIS to create or expand safeguards to improve their safety and minimise the risk of violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation.
The aim of the policy is to:
improve how we support people with disability, participants, and their support networks to create or increase safeguards
be more proactive to support people with disability, participants, and their support networks to identify, assess and manage risk of harm
have clear roles and responsibilities in the NDIS support system
improve safeguarding resources for people with disability and our staff.
This policy includes 6 co-designed principles and 4 focus areas. Visit the NDIS website (opens in a new window) to learn more about the policy, how it will be rolled out, and the co-design journey.
We are committed to working together to implement this policy with the people it affects. We will keep you updated when changes happen.
NDIA opportunities: Senior Executive Service (SES) Band 1 and Band 2 levels
We are embarking on a period of exciting transformation and are looking for exceptional leaders to join our team to enable better outcomes for people with disability. We are looking for leaders who can share their lived experience and bring a diversity of talent and experience to help drive change.
Key features of our structure moving forward will be increased diversity, with a particular focus on disability, First Nations and cultural and linguistic diversity (CALD).
This process will be used to fill ongoing and non-ongoing SES positions at the Band 1 (branch manager) and 2 (general manager) level.
Applications opened on 11 April 2023 and will close at 11:30pm on 27 April 2023.
Have your say on the NDIS Commission's Inquiry into Platform Providers
Have your say on the NDIS Commission’s Inquiry into Platform Providers.
Platform Providers are online platforms and online subscription services that connect workers with NDIS participants.
The purpose of this Inquiry is to examine how Platform Providers operate in the NDIS Market.
Consultation closes Friday 28 April 2023. There is still time to have your voice heard.
Express your interest in joining a virtual format to share your feedback and experience with other participants, families, advocates, and carers, on Wednesday 26 April from 10am to 3pm AEST. Complete this form to join (opens in new window).
Minister for the NDIS Bill Shorten's National Press Club address
On Tuesday 18 April the Hon. Bill Shorten MP addressed the National Press Club in Canberra on the future of the NDIS.
Andrew Tillett, the political correspondent for the Australian Financial Review, introduced Minister Shorten who reminded all Australians the Scheme is here to stay.
The Minister gave ode to the 'many great Australians' from the 'mighty disability movement' who have campaigned for decades, including the Agency's chairman Kurt Fearnley.
Minister Shorten outlined the steps he plans to take to ensure the Scheme's financial footing for the hundreds of thousands of Australians relying on the services.
"If you are an Australian living with a disability, a family member of a person with disability, or a carer, I want to say something to you right now: the National Disability Insurance Scheme is here to stay", Mr Shorten said.
"It is not going away. But, and this is important, we do need to get it back on track".
Services Australia: free financial information webinar for people with disability and carers
Services Australia’s Financial Information Service webinars help people make informed financial decisions about their future.
These free webinars are delivered by Services Australia’s Financial Information Service (FIS) Officers on a range of topics, from superannuation for young people, to accommodation options in retirement.
The next webinar is on Thursday 27 April at 2pm AEST. The topic is Disability and Carers, and it aims to help people with disability and their carers plan their financial future and find out more about supports and services available to them.
The webinar will discuss Australian Government payments, services and supports available, Concession cards, Carer Gateway, NDIS, and Special Disability Trusts.
They are a great way for people to better understand their own financial affairs and gain confidence dealing with financial matters regardless of age or income. They are available to everyone, not just people who receive a Centrelink payment.
People can also catch up on previous webinars, at a time and place that suits them and watch the recorded webinars online.
contact the National Coronavirus and COVID-19 Vaccination Helpline on 1800 020 080
talk to your GP
People with disability who need assistance booking a COVID-19 vaccine or need free, fact-checked information about COVID-19, can contact the Disability Gateway on 1800 643 787 or visit their website (opens in new window).
If you are deaf, or hard of hearing, you can call the National Relay Service on 1800 555 660.
Participants who have support coordination in their plans and need support to book and access COVID-19 vaccinations are encouraged to talk to their support coordinator.
An additional $150, on top of plan funds, is available for participants to access support coordination to help with booking and accessing vaccinations.
Participants can also utilise their existing support coordination budget if they need further assistance beyond the additional $150.
Providers can claim the $150 and $75 payments directly from the NDIS – it does not affect funding in your plan.
Your provider can also claim from your plan, the cost of other supports required for you to access your vaccinations, such as transport and support workers, but only with your agreement.
If you think your plan funds are too low for you to get vaccination support, you can contact us (opens in new window) or call 1800 800 110.
The Growing Space and other support coordination providers have developed an online COVID-19 kit for support coordinators.
The free downloadable resource contains a range of useful checklists, contacts and templates for support coordinators to help NDIS participants, their families and carers manage risks associated with COVID-19.
