Australian Government response to the Joint Standing Committee on the NDIS Progress Report 2019: General issues around the implementation and performance of the NDIS.

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The Australian Government welcomes the Joint Standing Committee on the National Disability Insurance Scheme second progress report on the inquiry into general issues around the implementation and performance of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

The Committee received submissions from 71 individuals and organisations across Australia, and conducted eight public hearings, since the last progress report of September 2017.

The Committee’s report contains 18 recommendations covering the:

  • provision of services under the NDIS for people with psychosocial disabilities
  • provision of services under the NDIS Early Childhood Early Intervention (ECEI) approach
  • transitional arrangements for the NDIS
  • provision of hearing services under the NDIS
  • disability workforce
  • NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission
  • National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) engagement with the disability sector.

The Government is committed to improving services and outcomes for people with disability through the NDIS. The NDIS has grown substantially, from about 30,000 participants in 2016 to almost 340,000 today. The NDIS is now available to eligible Australians in all states and territories, except Western Australia, and more than 134,000 – or almost 40 per cent – are receiving supports for the very first time.

The Government acknowledges a number of implementation challenges have emerged as the NDIS transitions to full national roll out, and will continue to put in place improvements to better support NDIS participants, their families and carers. This includes initiatives to improve the participant planning pathway and support the provider market, which will lead to a better NDIS experience and improved long term outcomes for NDIS participants. As the NDIS transition period draws nearer, the Government is also considering how to set up the NDIS for future success through initiatives such as the NDIS Participant Service Guarantee.

The Government notes, supports or supports in principle each of the 18 recommendations made in the Committee’s report. This Government Response provides information on key initiatives underway and planned to address the Committee’s recommendations.

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