The findings of an independent review into the legislation underpinning the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) have been released.
Minister for the NDIS, Stuart Robert said the report sets the foundation for a new Participant Service Guarantee which will ensure faster processes and better service for participants.
“The review’s findings reaffirmed what we have been hearing from participants, their families and carers and the disability sector – that while many participants have had excellent experiences and are benefitting from the scheme, many others have had frustrations with wait times, complexity of processes and a lack of understanding of their needs,” Mr Robert said.
The review found that some participants in the scheme found the transition to the NDIS “confusing and frustrating” with others labelling it “complex and difficult to navigate”.
Some participants also reported feeling that National Disability Insurance Agency staff did not understand disability or appreciate the challenges people with disability faced as part of everyday life.
Mr Robert said the report, prepared by independent reviewer Mr David Tune, made 29 recommendations aimed at improving NDIS processes and cutting wait times for participants.
“We’ll use these findings to update and clarify the legislation and remove barriers to a better NDIS,” Mr Robert said.
He said the Government would formally respond to the report in the coming weeks with more detail about what specific improvements will be made.
The review report and a summary of the recommendations can be accessed at this PS News link.
