REVIEW OF NDIS WAITING TIMES

AUSTRALIANS with a disability are being asked to share their experiences with a new review aimed at cutting wait times under the National Disability Insurance Scheme.

But Labor has dismissed the review as unnecessary, believing it is an opportunity for the Federal Government to put off improving the NDIS.

Former finance department secretary David Tune will review the scheme’s legislation and rules, with a view to streamlining processes.

NDIS Minister Stuart Robert said the inquiry will help the Federal Government deliver on its promise to address the time taken to set up or alter plans for NDIS participants.

The Coalition has vowed to introduce the new standards by mid-2020.

Advocates say any review of the NDIS rules must centre on people with disabilities, concentrating on what they want and need.

Romola Hollywood from People with Disability Australia said her members had long complained of lengthy wait times for support and equipment.

“People with disability need the NDIS to be easier to access, easier to deal with and more focused on us,” Ms Hollywood said. “To achieve these goals, it is essential that the government removes the staffing cap and improves the training of NDIA planners, so that we get better access to the scheme and better quality.”

Consultations will begin later this month with an online survey, discussion paper and face-to-face workshops across the country.

Mr Tune retired from the public service in 2014 and has since led reviews into MPs’ parliamentary entitlements and the aged care system.

Labor NDIS spokesman Bill Shorten said the scheme needs more funding, not another review. There have been at least 20 inquiries into the system in the past six years.

Mr Roberts has said he wants wait times for children accessing support to be cut in half by October, using a new waiting cap of 50 days.

The average wait time for children to receive NDIS plans is currently 127 days.