Dear Members,
This week the Federal Government announced an independent two part review of the NDIS.
The Independent Review Panel will review the following:
- Part One of the NDIS Review will examine the design, operation and sustainability of the scheme.
- Part Two of the NDIS Review will analyse ways to build a more responsive, supportive, and sustainable market and workforce.
A final report, will be delivered by the Independent Review Panel to Disability Reform Ministers by the end of October 2023. However as consensus emerges around reforms, changes may be enacted well before the final Report.
Minister Shorten and the Review Panel Chairs will be speaking at a webinar on Thursday 20 October. For more information please visit: NDIS Review.
We will continue to provide updates regarding the terms of reference and submission details once finalised by the government. With help from our membership and working groups the APS looks forward to submitting its solutions to the current issues facing the NDIS.
Advocating for you
The NDIS supports more than half a million Australians with disability to access services and supports, including psychological services.
Advocating for the rights of people with disabilities and engagement on issues relating to people with disabilities is a priority area for the APS. We understand that there are a number of continuing challenges for our members in working with the NDIS, and we continue to address these with the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA).
Particular challenges include:
- limitations on psychological support provided via the NDIS,
- cognitive assessment reviews for children,
- inconsistencies between accepted national assessment and practice guidelines and NDIS stipulations, and
- the prohibitive costs of registering as a provider with the NDIS.
We continue to seek clarity about the NDIS and to undertake advocacy with the NDIA. Our activity includes writing submissions to relevant consultations, correspondence with the NDIA and government, representing the APS on NDIS-related working groups, and meeting directly with NDIA representatives.
To learn more about our recent work in this space, please visit 2022 and 2021 advocacy pages: https://psychology.org.au/psychology/advocacy/submissions/2022 and https://psychology.org.au/psychology/advocacy/submissions/2021
We will continue to communicate updates from the NDIS through our working groups, APS Update and InPsych, as well as through CPD opportunities.
For NDIS latest news and updates, please visit: https://www.ndis.gov.au/news/latest
For an update about the NDIS Early Childhood Early Intervention Approach please visit: https://www.ndis.gov.au/news/8030-ecei-reset-update-july-2022
Tamara Cavenett FAPS GAICD
President