Response to the Consultation on the Draft Lists of NDIS Supports

In this submission, the Australian Psychological Society (APS) provided key recommendations in response to the Department of Social Services’ consultation on Draft Lists of NDIS Supports. As part of reforms to NDIS legislation, these lists define supports which are 'NDIS supports' (and can be funded under a NDIS plan) and those which are 'not NDIS supports' (and which cannot be funded).

Our recommendations aimed to ensure that the role of psychologists is accurately reflected and that NDIS participants receive appropriate, evidence-based, and participant-centred supports. Key issues raised in our submission include:

• Therapeutic Supports: The description should be reformulated to align with the full meaning of evidence-based practice, ensuring supports are flexible, appropriately funded, and provided by qualified professionals such as psychologists.
• Mental Health and Disability: The lists should address the intersection between mental health and disability, advocating for clearer guidelines and the creation of a category for disability-related mental health supports.
• Early Intervention Supports: The description must extend beyond early childhood to include early intervention for older children and adults, ensuring early intervention remains available across the lifespan.
• Decision-Making Supports: The lists must ensure adequate recognition and funding for Supported Decision Making (SfDM), particularly for participants with cognitive impairments or psychosocial disabilities.
• Family-Centred Approaches: Exclusions related to parenting and family therapy must be revised to reflect best practices in early childhood intervention.

We also called for further consultation and co-design to ensure that these key reforms do not disadvantage participants and prevent the provision of reasonable and necessary services, including by psychologists.

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