Commonwealth, state and territory disability ministers met recently to deliver an update on the NDIS. The telepresence meeting opened by acknowledging the death of 2020 ACT Senior Australian of the Year, Sue Salthouse and her contributions and advocacy for people with disability.

Ministers addressed the need for adequate workforce supply to support people with disability and NDIS participants and agreed to continue monitoring the NDIS support market and work together to finalise an NDIS workforce plan later in 2020 in light of COVID-19. They also reiterated their joint commitment to ensuring ongoing support and the safety of people with disability, including NDIS participants, during  COVID-19 and beyond.

Ministers noted a number of inquiries considering the quality and safety of supports have commenced across the country and agreed to work together in a coordinated fashion to better identify and support at-risk and vulnerable people with disability, including NDIS participants.

Ministers noted progress on the national demand and gap analysis of independent disability advocacy and decision-making supports being led by the Commonwealth, and reports of increasing demand for advocacy services. Findings of this analysis will inform discussions on future arrangements for the funding of these supports.