NDIS Provider and Worker Registration Taskforce

The NDIS Provider and Worker Registration Taskforce (the Taskforce) was established to provide advice on the design and implementation of the new graduated risk-proportionate regulatory model proposed in Recommendation 17 of the NDIS Review Final Report (NDIS Review) in consultation with the disability community.

In July 2024, following an extensive period of consultation with the disability community, the Taskforce provided its advice to the Minister.

The advice sets out a number of recommendations on:

  • The design and implementation of the graduated risk-proportionate regulatory model;
  • A Provider Risk Framework; and
  • Arrangements for platform providers and circumstances where participants directly employ their workers.

The Government will carefully consider each of the recommendations contained in the final advice in consultation with the disability community, providers and state and territory governments.

The Taskforce’s Advice

The final advice was published on 2 August 2024.

Summary of the Taskforce recommendations

Understand what this means for providers

Understand what this means for workers

Understand what this means for NDIS participants who self-direct their supports

Full version of the advice

Final consultation report

Accessible formats of the advice can also be found below:

Taskforce members

Taskforce members were chosen for their extensive breadth and depth of knowledge and expertise in the rights of people with disability, the interests of workers, the care provider market and market regulation.

  • Ms Natalie Wade, disability rights lawyer (Chair);
  • Mr Michael Borowick JP, former ACTU Assistant Secretary;
  • The Hon Vicki O’Halloran AO CVO FAICD, former Administrator of the Northern Territory and former President of National Disability Services Australia;
  • Professor Allan Fels AO, former chair of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.

The Terms of Reference for the Taskforce is available here.

Advisory Working Groups

The Taskforce was supported by subject matter experts who formed the Advisory Working Groups (AWGs) to co-design specific activity in areas of concern. Members of the AWGs were invited by the Taskforce members, and were carefully selected to include government, peak bodies, service providers and people with lived experience.

The Taskforce consulted five AWGs which reflected areas of focus which were highlighted in the Taskforce’s Terms of Reference. The five AWGs by focus area include:

  • Participants and Nominees;
  • Disability Care Workers and Organisations;
  • Providers and Regulators;
  • Intergovernmental;
  • Academic and Policy.

These groups, along with public consultation, strengthened the Taskforce’s advice on key design elements of a proposed regulatory model, and ensured the Taskforce was informed by the disability community, as well as the provider market and workers to ensure best outcomes.

Consultation activity

Roundtables

The Taskforce hosted a series of roundtables across Australia where they heard from communities on specific topics that helped inform the final advice to Government on the design and implementation of the risk-proportionate regulatory model and the Provider Risk Framework. The Taskforce hosted over 30 roundtables and topics included young people with disability, women with disability, the use of mainstream services and advocacy issues.

Webinars

On 4 April 2024, the Taskforce held a live public webinar, to introduce themselves, and the work they are undertaking in the sector. A recording of the webinar is available. A list of the questions asked during the webinar is also available.

The Taskforce hosted four open roundtables in webinar style. These webinars addressed the topic ‘Choice and Control’ (16 April 2024), the topic of 'Platform Providers' (17 April 2024) and  the topic of 'Self Managers and Self-directed Support' (2 May 2024).

The fourth roundtable was held on 24 May 2024 and addressed ‘What We Have Heard’ which summarised what the Taskforce members heard as part of the consultation process with the sector.

Online Consultation Process

In addition to the roundtables and webinars, the Taskforce welcomed people with disabilities, their families and advocates, the NDIS provider market, workforce representatives, and other relevant stakeholders to make public submissions via the DSS Engage platform.

Submissions received from this process were considered by the Taskforce and helped inform the Taskforce’s final advice.

The submission process opened on 6 March 2024 and closed on 5 May 2024 and the Taskforce received over 700 submissions.

Last updated: