A discussion paper to inform the development of a Digital Partnership Program (DPP) to make it easier for National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) participants to connect with providers has been released.
Minister for the NDIS, Stuart Robert said the discussion paper built on an NDIS plan to deliver better service through market innovation and improved technology.
“We know the value of emerging technologies and the importance of leveraging innovation offered by the broader market to improve the experience and access to supports for all NDIS participants,” Mr Robert said.
“The DPP will enable the development of a new range of digital services at a faster pace under a digital marketplace model – it is an important step towards innovating the NDIS and improving how participants, providers and the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) all connect and work together.”
He said the discussion paper would call for ideas around what kinds of tools, apps and other digital products would be attractive for development; how the NDIS can best work with providers and software developers; what specific functionality or Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) the market would like as part of the NDIS; and what terms, conditions and data registered providers, unregistered providers and software developers accessing APIs should variously agree to.
“APIs will allow Digital Partners who subscribe to securely connect with NDIA systems and more efficiently manage their day to day work, increasing the capacity of NDIS providers and the market to deliver better services to NDIS participants,” Mr Robert said.
He said the first phase of the DPP had been made available on Monday 2 March with the release of an initial suite of APIs for registered NDIS providers.
Mr Robert said consultation on the Program would close on 22 March.
The 30-page discussion paper is available for download at this PS News link.