The Department of Social Services (DSS) and National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) have joined forces to commission a project to overcome supply gaps in the National Disability Insurance Service (NDIS).
Aimed at collecting stakeholders’ insights on how to address the gaps (known as ‘thin markets’ in the NDIS) the project is open to input from NDIS participants, providers and members of peak bodies representing them.
In a statement, DSS said the NDIS thin markets existed across different parts of Australia, from highly urbanised centres to the most remote regions.
“These markets can present challenges, including higher costs linked to the greater distances and travel time in delivering services to remote locations, and difficulties in recruiting and retaining suitable workforces,” DSS said.
It said recruitment difficulties included culturally appropriate workforces for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participants and those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
“The project will examine options for different cases, noting that there is not necessarily a one-size-fits-all approach to addressing thin markets and related challenges,” the Department said.
“The ultimate focus of the project is on making sure NDIS participants affected by thin markets challenges have access to the supports they require.”
DSS said that as well as the problems of geography, there were also thin markets serving people with complex needs such as early childhood, behaviour intervention, and specialist disability accommodation.
An 11-page discussion paper developed by DSS can be accessed at this PS News link and surveys for providers and participants at this link.
Submissions and the surveys will be open until 30 June.
