The Albanese Government has launched an Independent Review into the NDIS that will be delivered in collaboration with participants, their families, carers, providers, workers and the wider community.
The review will be carried out in two parts. Part 1 will be led by Dr Bruce Bonyhady, and examine design, operation and sustainability. Part 2, led by Ms Lisa Paul, will cover building a more responsive, supportive and sustainable market and workforce.
NDIS Minister Bill Shorten wants all NDIS stakeholders to engage with the review so it can deliver effective and practical outcomes, along with reducing “needless waste”, he said.
People with Disability Australia has welcomed the review’s approach that it will be guided by Australia’s obligations to ensure the human rights of people with disability.
“We look forward to seeing the application of a rights-based lens to the NDIS and renewed efforts to make sure that people with disability are truly the authors of their own lives,” PWDA president, Samantha Connor said. “It is exciting to see a line-up of people who have a strong background in disability, including a thorough understanding of both the NDIS from its inception and the problems that have plagued the scheme.”
However, concerns were raised about servicing plans in remote areas. According to Carpentaria Disability Services CEO, Annie Rily remote Indigenous communities pose their own set of challenges.
“Remote and very remote communities have unique complexities that must be recognised in this review,” she said, with more flexible models of funding needed in areas where there is market failure. “These regions require cultural awareness and additional sensitive measures that differ from those required in our metro cities.”
Also responding to the review announcement was National Disability Services CEO Laurie Leigh who said different approaches to service provision can be seen in other complex systems such as health, aged care, childcare and education, and should be examined through this review. “Providers will be a critical part of the consultation and co-designing process.”
The Final Report will be delivered by the end of October 2023. However, as consensus emerges around reforms, changes may be enacted before the final Report.
The review will be guided by Australia’s commitments under the United Nations Convention on the Rights, Australia’s Disability Strategy 2021-31 and the National Agreement on Closing the Gap with the intention it will be “inclusive and comprehensive”.
The review will also consider the perspectives of First Nations participants, different cultures and socio-economic groups, age, gender and sexuality.
Minister Shorten and the Review Panel chairs will speak at a webinar on October 20. For more information visit: www.ndisreview.gov.au.