Disability Intermediaries Australia

As 2024 draws to a close, we reflect on an intense year of change and what a huge year it has been. Our CEO, Mr Jess Harper thanks all of Disability Intermediaries Australia members for their outstanding work in extremely difficult circumstances this year and for your ongoing support of DIA. Over the holiday season, take some time to rest, recover and reset and 2025 is going to be another year of change and strategic focus. We have some amazing things planned for 2025 to provide even greater value to our members and I look forward to working with you all in the New Year. DIA will be closed over the holiday period and return on the 6th January 2025.

Art and music therapy review announced. The NDIA has announced it will be commissioning a review into the appropriate pricing for art and music therapy. The review is expected to be completed before 14th March 2025. Music and Art Therapy can continue to be claimed in the NDIS until this review is completed, its findings considered, and an announcement on revised policy is made. Dr Stephen Duckett AM will undertake the review and assess: 1️⃣ The evidence of effectiveness of art and music therapy for people with disability. 2️⃣ Qualifications and registration of music and art practitioners. 3️⃣ Pricing of art and music support. Today’s announcement will bring some comfort, in the short term, to NDIS Participants who have been accessing these supports from qualified practitioners to achieve their goals and outcomes. The impact of continued poor implementation of the new Section 10 rules (NDIS Supports Lists) with policy implementation via FAQs and quietly updated sections of the website is resulting in undue workload, inefficiency, stress and cost on DIA’s members and Participants, which is completely avoidable. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gXJ7RWvz

DIA MARKET UPDATES This week DIA will hold its regular Market Updates and invites all NDIS Support Coordination and Plan Management providers and practitioners to attend the Q1 DIA Market Updates and Question Time. These sessions will benefit any NDIS Support Coordination and Plan Management providers and practitioners. Each session will cover: 👉 A brief Q1 market update for the last quarter (either Plan Management or Support Coordination). 👉 Update on the the legislation changes including the new Section 10 Rules. 👉 An update on DIA work and engagement activities currently underway including: • IHACPA Pricing Review • NDIA Independent Pricing Committee • EY PJP Plan Management Work • NDIS Commission Own Motion Inquiry • STA FAQ’s 📌 Plan Management Session Thursday, 28th November 2024 - 3:00pm VIC, NSW, TAS, ACT Time - 2:30pm SA Time - 2:00pm QLD Time - 1:30pm NT Time - 12:00noon WA Time 📌 Support Coordination Session Friday, 29 November 2024 - 12:00 noon VIC, NSW, TAS, ACT Time - 11:30am SA Time - 11:00am QLD Time - 10:30am NT Time - 09:00am WA Time EACH SESSION IS FREE FOR ALL DIA MEMBERS. PLEASE USE THE DIA MEMBER PROMO CODE EMAILED TO YOU TO SECURE YOUR FREE REGISTRATION. If you are not a DIA member these sessions can be attended for a small fee. Follow the link to DIA's website for all the details and to register. https://lnkd.in/gvm5Ema3

This morning, as a first step the Hon. Bill Shorten advised that the Government intends to require all #SupportCoordinators to be registered. DIA welcomes this announcement. Since 2019, Disability Intermediaries Australia (DIA) has called on the NDIA and the NDIS Commission to adequately regulate the #SupportCoordination sector by implementing registration, accreditation and independence. These points were reinforced by the findings of the Disability Royal Commission into violence abuse and neglect, and further refined with the recommendations of the Registration Taskforce that proposed a new regulatory design and graduated risk-proportionate model. While the notice of mandatory registration has only just been announced to the public, the implementation concerns held by Disability Intermediaries Australia as the peak representative body for Support Coordination have been well identified. Ahead of any change to the registration framework and introduction of mandatory registration for Support Coordination, these significant issues need to be addressed and resolved, including: 👉 Clarity on the actual proposed cost of mandatory registration, 👉 Revision to the current price model for Support Coordination services as most Support Coordination providers are already unable to remain viable, 👉 Increased capacity of the NDIS Commission to undertake thousands of new registrations in a timely manner, 👉 Clarity on the new regulatory model including changes to conflicts of interest, 👉 How participant and market risks will be managed through transition. The Minister for the NDIS Bill Shorten said on the announcement: "The Commission will progress Rule changes to mandate registration for Support Coordination, Platform Providers and SIL. Consultation on these changes will commence in October. The new Rules will allow for a period of transition to the new mandatory registration arrangements.” DIA looks forward to working with the Minister for the NDIS, NDIS Commission, the NDIA and the DSS to address these challenges to ensure an appropriate transition to a new regulatory structure and mandatory structure. Read DIA's full response here: https://lnkd.in/gFaQA9mP

Disability Intermediaries Australia welcomes the appointment of Louise Glanville as the new Commissioner for the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission. We also welcome the news of Natalie Wade joining the Commission. Well done Bill Shorten.

Yesterday Disability Intermediaries Australia, National Disability Services, Allied Health Professions Australia and the CEO Collab jointly launched the #4aBetterNDIS website. We've been overwhelmed by the positive response - and by the number of people who've already written to the federal government and the NDIA. If that's you, help spread the word further - share the the graphic below, along with the following text: "I have just sent an email to Bill Shorten and the National Disability Insurance Agency to tell them the impacts on me from the #NDIS Annual Price Review. Together we can Secure the future #4aBetterNDIS" Haven't written a letter yet? Learn how to on the new campaign website below. #NDIA #auspol #DisabilitySupport #NDISPricing #SupportCoordination #SupportCoordinator 👉 https://lnkd.in/gnuzXfzJ

🚨 BREAKING NEWS🚨 Disability sector mobilises to secure the future for a better and fairer NDIS   Organisations representing disability service providers, NDIS #SupportCoordinators and allied health providers have joined together to launch a national campaign to secure the future of services for people with disability and create a better NDIS.   The organisations are launching a joint campaign website 4abetterNDIS.com.au where people concerned about the future of disability services can take action, have their say and send a letter to the federal government asking for a commitment to addressing the current crisis in funding for disability services. Providers of quality disability services are already reaching breaking point. Recent surveys by National Disability Services and Disability Intermediaries Australia found that 75 per cent of providers are considering stopping some or all of their disability services because of the price limits that came in on 1 July.   “We need the Government to drastically improve management of the NDIS, and act urgently to deliver fair, transparent and sustainable pricing”, said Mr Jess Harper, Chief Executive Officer of Disability Intermediaries Australia.   “The National Disability Insurance Agency’s Pricing decision is simply indefensible. Keeping price limits fixed for half a decade despite inflation, award wage increases, and operating cost pressures is irresponsible and reckless. This pricing decision has already resulted in the closures of safe, quality, and skilled service providers with more to come,” Mr Harper said.   The #4aBetterNDIS website will be supported by activity across social media as organisations spread the word about the impact of the market failure that is taking place in the NDIS.   “We know that closure of services will most affect participants with high and complex support needs – because it is more costly to deliver those services. These are the very people that the NDIS was set up to support,” said Emily Forest, Interim CEO of National Disability Services.   Karenza Louis-Smith, Chief Executive Officer, Ermha365 and CEO Collab spokesperson said "High-intensity supports help NDIS participants with challenging behaviours manage their needs, avoid crises, and live fulfilling lives. Taking these supports away suddenly, without any warning, puts their safety and well-being at risk"    Allied Health Professions Australia CEO Bronwyn Morris-Donovan said “After five years of not even so much as indexation of NDIS therapy support and orthotic/prosthetic service pricing against inflation, our sector has reached breaking point.”   Now is the time to speak up and be heard. Without action, disability service providers will be forced to continue reconsidering their professional futures and service provision under the NDIS, with devastating impact on the people with disabilities who rely on them. https://lnkd.in/gUR3GPjv Bill Shorten Kurt Fearnley Michael Sukkar Jordon Steele-John

🚨 It's time to write to NDIS Minister Bill Shorten🚨 Support Coordinators across Australia have already closed there doors and there is hundreds more to follow due to new price limits. Secure the future of the NDIS! Urge the Minister for the NDIS and the NDIA to take swift action to adequately price Support Coordination services. Your voice can make a difference – write to them today! 👉 DIA has set up a campaign page with a quick send email function and template at https://lnkd.in/gi_PdieM 👉 It's time for all Support Coordinators to be heard. Your voice matters - join the campaign by sending an email through the above link to the NDIS Minister Bill Shorten, Kurt Fearnley and executives of the NDIA to tell them the impacts of the Price Review on you. 👉 Since the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) released its pricing announcement, many Support Coordinators say they can't continue supporting people with disability, especially those with complex needs. The sector calls on the NDIA and federal government for urgent action to ensure continued disability services. The NDIA’s pricing approach undermines quality, sustainable services and #NDIS reform. DIA has joined other peak bodies to call on the NDIA and government to take urgent action to secure the future of services for people with disability and create a better NDIS. 📷 Quote "Support Coordination funding has been frozen for half a decade! Our Support Coordinators are burnt out trying to stay viable. We can't keep going and must close." #4aBetterNDIS #NDIS #DisabilitySupport #SupportCoordination #SupportCoordinator #NDISPricing #FairWorkCommission National Disability Services, Allied Health Professions Australia, CEO Collab

🚨 Act now, send an email #4aBetterNDIS. Since the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) released its pricing announcement, many Support Coordinators say they can't continue supporting people with disability, especially those with complex needs. A Disability Intermediaries Australia survey revealed that Support Coordinators have already closed or are closing with many more to follow. Survey respondents have indicated that hundreds of Support Coordinators services tens of thousands #NDISParticipants are likely to close this year due to new price limits. The sector calls on the NDIA and federal government for urgent action to ensure continued disability services. The NDIA’s pricing approach undermines quality, sustainable services and #NDIS reform. DIA has joined other peak bodies to call on the NDIA and government to take urgent action to secure the future of services for people with disability and create a better NDIS. 👉Secure the future of the NDIS! Urge the Minister for the NDIS and the NDIA to take swift action to adequately price Support Coordination services. Your voice can make a difference – write to them today! 👉 DIA has set up a campaign page with a quick send email function and template at https://lnkd.in/gi_PdieM 👉 It's time for all Support Coordinators to be heard. Your voice matters - join the campaign by sending an email through the above link to the NDIS Minister Bill Shorten, Kurt Fearnley and executives of the NDIA to tell them the impacts of the Price Review on you. DIA CEO Mr Jess Harper said "This years price review was a massive kick in the guts. The NDIA got this years price review very wrong with significant consequences that the NDIA clearly not not factor into it's thinking. For half a decade the NDIA has in real terms cut pricing for Support Coordination. Quality and safe providers simply can't continue to rack up losses so they are shutting their doors." #NDIS #DisabilitySupport #SupportCoordination #SupportCoordinator #NDISPricing #FairWorkCommission National Disability Services, Allied Health Professions Australia, CEO Collab

🚨 BREAKING NEWS 🚨 #NDIS Registration Task Force Final Report Published. The NDIS Provider and Worker Registration 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 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. Read the full report here: https://lnkd.in/g_fmVPnY #PlanManagement #PlanManagers #SupportCoordinators #SupportCoordination #NDISProviders