Changes to group-based supports and more options for shared living arrangements under Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA)
On 5 May 2023 we published changes to Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits. These include:
Non-face-to-face supports
By 1 January 2024, all group-based social and community participation supports will be delivered under a consistent pricing arrangement. Some providers have been using this arrangement since 2020.
Under this pricing arrangement, providers and participants have flexibility to agree on non-face-to-face support fees that reflect the needs of the participant in relation to participation in group-based supports.
The fee charged for non-face-to-face supports must be reflective of the needs of the participant and requires providers to agree the non-face-to-face support costs with a participant upfront, to ensure a participant has transparency of these costs.
Increasing maximum duration of Programs of Support from 12 weeks to 6 months
From 5 May 2023 the maximum duration of Programs of Support was extended from up to 12 weeks to up to 6 months.
While some participants and providers will welcome the option to move to longer Programs of Support, the NDIA reiterates that 6 months is a maximum length and shorter Programs of Support can still be agreed between participants and providers.
Providers and participants can agree to a new Program of Support at any time.
Updates to NDIS Pricing Arrangements for SDA 2022-23
Effective 20 March 2023, we published an updated Pricing Arrangements for Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) 2022-23 and SDA Price Calculator 2022-23.
We have updated the maximum reasonable rent contribution (MRRC) and board amounts in line with increases to the Disability Support Pension. Changes are effective from 20 March 2023.
Providers must discuss and agree any proposed changes to existing service agreements with the participant.
The pricing arrangements for SDA and SDA Calculator now include pricing for SDA eligible participants who live in shared living arrangements including people who are not SDA-eligible.
The latest NDIS Quarterly Report (opens in new window) has been released. This Quarterly Report is a summary of how the Scheme performed from 1 January 2023 to 31 March 2023.
The NDIS continues to grow, now supporting 592,059 participants.
Information in this Quarterly Report includes:
the positive outcomes that NDIS participants, families/carers are experiencing (highlights from page 5, detailed findings from page 26).
key areas we are focussing on to improve participant experience and outcomes (from page 49).
Scheme financial experiences against the Annual Financial Sustainability Report (AFSR) 2021-22 projections (page 6).
This quarter, the NDIA continued to work together with the disability community to build co-design and engagement capability. Read more about this from page 132.
updates on the scheme governance including new board appointments and Ministerial announcements. (page 10)
progress against the Participant Service Charter and Service Improvement Plan (from page 51).
NDIS Commission: Workshops on the Workforce Capability Framework
The NDIS Commission has released the Workforce Capability Framework (opens in new window) (the Framework), which includes helpful tools and guides to assist providers improve workforce quality and establish a shared language of ‘what good looks like’ for participants receiving supports.
The Framework describes the attitudes, skills and knowledge expected of all providers funded under the NDIS and establishes a shared language of ‘what good looks like’ for participants.
Participant workshop
Workforce Quality Director, Samantha Jenkinson, will present a workshop to discuss how the Framework could assist participants in writing job descriptions, recruiting workers, and providing regular feedback to workers.
This session will focus on how the Position Description Tool and Recruitment resources can help you in hiring providers. Strategies and tools to support providing regular feedback will be covered, including how the Framework can assist you to guide and manage providers.
Workforce Quality Director, Samantha Jenkinson, will present a workshop to discuss how the Framework could assist providers with workforce planning and management. In this session, there will be information provided on the Workforce Management and Planning Tool and an overview of the Framework and other tools and guides.
The Hervey Bay office is moving to a shared location with Services Australia, so we can provide better service to participants.
From Wednesday 7 June 2023, the new Hervey Bay NDIS office will be located at 6/10 Hunter Street, Pialba. The existing site will continue to provide services up until this date.
Participant First is looking for people like you. As a member of Participant First, you can have a say in how we develop our products and services. You can tell us about your disability experience and help us understand your needs. What you say matters and can help us deliver a better NDIS for everyone.
Neilo is buddied up and out spreading his wings socially.
Neilo’s provider introduced him to Gig Buddies, a service matching him with a “buddy” to support him to enjoy greater social inclusion. That buddy was Jan.
“I like going places with Jan. We go to the movies, bowling and we go out for dinner. It’s nice to have someone to go out with.”
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.