On Thursday 14 November 2019 the Minister for the NDIS, Stuart Robert, announced some major changes to the Scheme, as it enters the final stages of its national rollout. These changes are designed to make the NDIS easier to navigate, more accessible, sustainable into the future, and increase plan utilisation rates.

The Minister’s six-point plan included some promising initiatives that could have big effects on the disability sector and the lives of NDIS participants and their families. Some of the biggest changes were:

• Removing the distinction between core and capacity building supports, allowing much more flexibility around how participants use their budgets (expected to take place 1 July 2020).
• Longer plan durations, with plan reviews generally reserved for when participants undergo major life changes, like moving to a new house, leaving school, or getting a new job.  
• The introduction of draft plan summaries, allowing participants to make changes to their plans before they’re approved. It will also be easier to request minor changes to a plan once it’s been approved.
• Technological changes that make it easier for third parties to interact with the NDIS’s computer systems, making for a more streamlined and consistent experience.

In his speech announcing the plan, the Minister identified six categories that need to be addressed as the Scheme heads towards 500,000 participants over the next five years.   

1. Quicker access and quality decision making
2. Increased engagement and collaboration
3. Market innovation and improved technology
4. A financially sustainable scheme
5. Equitable and consistent decisions
6. Improve long term outcomes

You can read more details about how the Government plan on improving each of these categories in the Minister’s speech, available here in full.

This announcement heralds the most significant changes to the NDIS since its introduction and Plan Partners will ensure all our customers and service providers are kept up to date on what these changes mean for them.