NDIS staffing levels receive timely boost

The Australian Government’s $22 billion National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) continues to be rolled out across the nation and the revolutionary program is set for a boost.

As of 30^th June this year, 183,965 people were being supported by the scheme. Participant numbers are set to double in 2019 and by July 2020, when the NDIS is expected to be fully rolled out, it will be supporting approximately 460,000 people throughout the nation.

With the amount of people gaining access growing, those navigating the new system have reported mixed experiences. There has been criticism about the administration and implementation of the scheme. As a result, extra staff measures have recently been announced in a bid to more efficiently assist participants.

The National Disability Insurance Agency’s (NDIA) staffing cap will be increased incrementally to 3400 by 2021, allowing an additional 750 staff members to be hired over the next 12 months.

In October, 6000 planning and frontline staff will receive targeted training in a bid to improve the overall experience and there will be an emphasis on reducing delay times for people with disability to receive support.

It is hoped that greater staffing levels will culminate in more efficient access to required and requested support via planning meetings – where NDIS plans are formulated.

Planning meetings are pivotal to the process of the new scheme and eligible persons should have all their support needs considered. The focus has rightly shifted to the requests of the person with disability and their plans should detail how, when and where they would like their services to be utilised.

Concerns have also been raised about the time proceedings take in the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT), where NDIA decisions regarding these plans are appealed and reviewed. It has been reported that roughly half of the cases lodged with the tribunal are yet to be resolved.

With the help of Orana, we can help make the process run smoothly and advocate on your behalf to make sure you receive what you’re entitled to. We are a well-established and not-for-profit organisation that takes great pride seeing our clients further their independence and empowerment, while guiding them to fulfill their dreams.

Helping people with disabilities is what we have been doing for more than six decades and it is what we do best.

We have many happy clients who are getting the most out of their NDIS plans and they are receiving the essential help they deserve in a timely manner.

Contact us for more information about how we can help here.