Scheme reboot to provide better outcomes

NDIS Minister Bill Shorten’s six-point plan to “reboot” the scheme will tackle many of the concerns participants have voiced for years, including the often traumatising and anxious experience of securing funding.

In his address to the National Press Club in Canberra, Mr Shorten made reassurances that he would not be removing “huge slabs” of people from the scheme but, in fact, he hoped to make it easier for those in need to qualify. So, let’s break down the six reforms.

1. Increasing the NDIS workforce and specialisation

Mr Shorten talked about increasing the number of agency staff, providing better training and returning call centre functions in-house.

Verdict: This is a win for people who complained that the process is traumatising and degrading.

2. Long-term planning

Short-term NDIS planning is to be replaced with long-term planning.

Verdict: This will be a relief for anyone with a permanent disability, who say applying for funding every six to 12 months is frustrating.

3. Supports must be ‘reasonable and necessary’

Mr Shorten said he wanted to stop providers overcharging just because it is government money.

Verdict: To make this work there needs to be clearer guidelines on what falls under “reasonable and necessary”.

4. Improve Support Independent Living

This program is about getting people to live independently with support, 24/7 if necessary.

Verdict: Insiders say there are some good providers out there, but there are also people building cheap accommodation in the wrong areas just to make a quick buck, that doesn’t serve the best interests of the person.

5. Misuse of NDIS funds, beyond criminal syndicates

It’s not just criminal gangs targeting the NDIS. Providers offering shoddy therapies or pressuring participants to undertake something not covered on their plan, or charging for longer sessions than provided, are all under scrutiny, according to Mr Shorten.

Verdict: While better trained staff may pick up on some of these shoddy services, there also needs to be a better system for checking the invoices and the businesses.

6. More community and mainstream supports

Mr Shorten called on everyone to be more inclusive of disabled people, including workplaces, transport, sports and education.

Verdict: No one can disagree with this, although Mr Shorten did not elaborate on how he hoped to improve the situation.