Parliament passed the NDIS Amendment (Getting the NDIS Back on Track No. 1) Bill 2024 on the 22nd of August 2024, a significant milestone for the NDIS.
Until the changes come into effect:
No changes will be made to the decision-making processes of the NDIS. The current operational guidance, which has been successful in ensuring continuity for both participants and providers, will remain in place.
Key Points to Know:
All changes will be instated through new NDIS rules, which the NDIS say will be developed in collaboration with the disability community. This ensures that participants are at the core of the reform process. Importantly, the rollout of these new rules will be gradual, allowing for the introduction as an example of foundational support frameworks and giving everyone time to adjust.
Timeline:
The new NDIS laws will come into effect 28 days after receiving Royal Assent, which is expected in mid-to late September. (It's important to note that a Bill passed by the Australian Parliament becomes an Act once the Governor-General formally accepts it.)
What is changing?
There may be changes in how eligibility to the NDIS is assessed
What the NDIS may fund different types of support - a comprehensive list is being compiled.
How some plans may be managed differently, with the NDIS having the power to change how a plan is managed.
Funding allocation and spending requirements may change. In PACE plans you can already see an allocation of time and funding over 12 months. Currently, there is flexibility surrounding that allocation, this will change under the new rules. This is to make sure that funding is used accordingly and over an appropriate time.
There may be new requirements for gathering information for eligibility reassessment. In the future functional assessments may have greater weight to whether a participant remains eligible for NDIS funding.
A full summary of the changes is on the NDIS website, link below.
As further developments and changes take place, the Lama Care Team will keep you apprised.
We wish you well, as always.
The Lama Care Team
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