Review of NDIS Agency reveals more effort needed to confirm if rollout timetable is doable. An independent review of the capability of the NDIS Agency, charged with delivering the NDIS was described by the review authors as: “…like a plane that took off before it had been fully built and is being completed while it is in the air.”

The review found that the previous government’s compressed timeframe has been at the expense of planning. This is said to have compromised the capacity of the Agency to learn from the trial sites and develop participant assessment and planning capabilities.

Assistant Minister for Social Services, Mitch Fifield said the review makes clear that the Agency’s foundation needs work in order to deliver and sustain the full NDIS. In response, the Agency has developed an action plan and will provide further advice as to whether the current implementation timetable is consistent with a successful full scheme rollout.

The Minister said the government was determined to deliver the NDIS in full. “This objective can only be achieved by an honest assessment of the capabilities of the Agency, an understanding as to why issues have arisen and a determination to lay sound foundations for the full national scheme.”

Details: www.ndis.gov.au