NDIS Changes
From today, 3 October 2024, the NDIS is making some changes to the way it operates. These changes come from the recommendations of the 2023 NDIS Review, and aim to strengthen and improve the NDIS for Participants, and make the scheme more sustainable for the future.
At Connect4U Australia, we understand that for some people changes may cause uncertainty and anxiety. That is why Andrew Walters, our General Manager, has emailed all Participants who receive support coordination from us, to let people know some of the information that the NDIS has shared about these changes. Information from this email is reproduced here. We have tried to use relevant, authoritative sources, however, there appear to be some gaps and unknowns about how these changes will be implemented. We will continue to keep Participants and stakeholders updated as the NDIS continues to roll out changes.
What is staying the same
The NDIS says that for most people, there won’t be fundamental changes to how Participants experience the NDIS right now. Participants will start to see more practical changes when the NDIS transitions to its new planning framework in 2025.
- The purpose of the NDIS remains the same – to provide NDIS Participants with disability-related supports.
- Participants can continue to contact the NDIS on 1800 800 110 or email enquiries@ndis.gov.au.
October legislative changes and their impacts on Participants
Changes to definitions of NDIS Supports
The NDIS has developed draft lists of the types of supports NDIS funds can, and can’t, be spent on. These lists will be used in the interim until the government finalises the lists with the states and territories. The lists are located here: What does NDIS fund? | NDIS
The NDIS has said that in some circumstances Participants might be able to ask to use their funding for a support that is not a NDIS support. The NDIS has not provided further information about what these situations might be or how Participants can request this. The NDIS has also said that if a Participant makes a mistake and buys supports that are not NDIS supports, the NDIA will work with the Participant to help them understand the new rules and access supports that are NDIS supports.
All Participants are highly likely to be affected by this change.
NDIS funding directly related to the impairment specified in the Participant’s NDIS access request
The NDIS will only fund supports that are directly related to the impairments specified in a Participant’s access request. From 1 January 2025, the NDIS will send out “Impairment Notices” to all Participants, identifying which impairments they meet access for. The NDIS has not specified which impairments will relate to which NDIS supports. For example, will a Participant with an impairment of amputation, be able to access a psychology support? This is not clear as yet.
All Participants are highly likely to be affected by this change.
New total budget amounts and 12 month plans
Plans approved after 3 October 2024 will include a total budget rather than individual line items. Participants will not be able to spend more than the total amount of funding in their plan. All new NDIS Plans will be of 12 months duration, although this may change in the future.
Participants with new or rolled over plans are highly likely to be affected by this change.
Eligibility reassessments for certain cohorts
Certain Participant cohorts may be required to undertake an eligibility reassessment. An example of this is children turning 9 years old who have a diagnosis of “Global Developmental Delay”. An updated diagnosis may be requested, for these Participants to be able to continue receiving NDIS funded supports. If a Participant and their family / carers do not provide the diagnosis within the requested timeframes, the person’s status as a NDIS Participant may be revoked.
This is highly likely to affect Participants that the NDIS has requested an updated diagnosis for.
A list of all the legislative changes
This email highlights a few of the changes that Connect4U Australia considers may most impact the Participants we provide support coordination to. A summary of all the legislation changes is here: Summary of legislation changes | NDIS
Keeping informed
Connect4U Australia is committed to keeping the Participants and Plan Nominees we support updated with NDIS changes as they are announced. Please reach out to your Connect4U Australia Support Coordinator if you have any questions about these changes and we will do our best to help. We will continue to circulate information emails, and provide updates via website blogs such as this one. You can also keep an eye on our social media channels.
