Font Size:
Font Size:
Link to homepageBCA logo

September 2024

NDIS Update – 26/09/2024: Upcoming Online Engagement Sessions on NDIS Legislation Changes

We’re excited to announce a series of online engagement sessions throughout October and November focused on the recent changes to NDIS legislation. Following the passage of the National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Getting the NDIS Back on Track No 1) Bill 2024 on 22 August 2024, the new NDIS laws will take effect on Thursday, 3rd October 2024.

Join us from Thursday, 3rd October to Thursday, 28th November for sessions covering:

  • Introduction to Legislation Changes
  • NDIS Supports
  • Changes to Planning and Budgets

Details will soon be available on the NDIS events and news webpage. We encourage you to participate and share this information within your community.

NDIS Update – 11/09/2024: Annual Long Form Outcomes Framework Survey

The annual Long Form Outcomes Framework (LFOF) survey is running from Sunday, 1st September to Monday, 16th December 2024.

About the Survey

The LFOF survey assesses the progress of NDIS participants and their families or carers in various life areas. It helps the NDIA understand which supports yield positive outcomes and improve NDIS services. The survey also benchmarks participant experiences against those of people without disabilities in Australia and abroad.

The LFOF survey, which includes more detailed questions than the Short Form Outcomes Framework (SFOF) survey, complements the SFOF as part of the participant pathway. For reports on survey findings, visit the NDIS website.

How the Survey Works

Australian Healthcare Associates (AHA) will conduct the surveys via phone, SMS, or email. They will call from 1300 355 142, text from 0488 855 790, and use email addresses in the format firstname.lastname@ahaconsulting.com.au. For children under 18, parents or carers will complete the survey, and AHA may also seek input from family members or carers.

If there are any doubts about the identity or purpose of the contact, verify by calling the NDIA at 1800 800 110.

NDIS Update – 10/09/24: Important NDIS Legislation Update

We want to keep you informed about some important updates to the NDIS legislation that will come into effect on Thursday, 3rd October 2024. Here’s a brief overview of what’s new and how it might affect you:

  1. Section 21: When applying to access the NDIS, the NDIA will now separately assess if you meet disability or early intervention requirements (or both). This will eventually lead to new participant pathways, though the immediate experience remains unchanged. This applies to access requests made on or after the law comes into effect on Thursday, 3rd October.
  2. Section 24 & 25: Disability and early intervention requirements are clarified to specify that NDIS supports should be distinct from mainstream system supports. This aims to better define when NDIS involvement is appropriate. This comes into effect on Thursday, 3rd October.
  3. Section 19: If your NDIS participation is revoked and you request a review, you cannot make another access request until the review is complete. This comes into effect on Thursday, 3rd October.
  4. Section 34: NDIS funding will be restricted to supports related to the impairments for which you meet access for. This comes into effect on Thursday, 3rd October.
  5. Section 32BA: Participants will receive an impairment notice when they gain access to the NDIS or transition to a new network, starting January 2025 for new requests and a later date for existing participants.
  6. Section 10: Defines NDIS supports and allows for substitutions in certain cases where non-NDIS supports are requested. This comes into effect on Thursday, 3rd October.
  7. Section 44: The NDIA can alter your plan management type if there are concerns about proper fund usage. This impacts participants who self-manage or use a registered plan manager. This comes into effect on Thursday, 3rd October.
  8. Section 33: New plans will specify total funding amounts, component amounts, and funding periods, with a default funding period of 12 months. This comes into effect on Thursday, 3rd October.
  9. Section 47A: Allows specific changes to plans without creating a new one, focusing on funding amounts and periods. This comes into effect on Thursday, 3rd October.
  10. Section 30: The NDIA can request specific information or assessments if considering revoking your status. Failure to comply may result in revocation. This comes into effect on Thursday, 3rd October.
  11. Section 30A: Rules may mandate eligibility reassessments for certain groups, such as children turning 9. Implementation timing is to be confirmed.
  12. Section 45A: Establishes a legislative framework for claims and payments, requiring all claims to be made within two years of support provision, with a grace period for claims before the new law. This comes into effect on Thursday, 3rd October.
  13. Section 32K & 32L: Introduces a new planning framework with flexible budgets and support needs assessments, though implementation timing is still to be confirmed.

CEO Update – 4/09/24:

I recently attended the NDIS Commission Disability Advocacy Forum. Following this, the appointment of the new Commissioner of the National Disability Insurance Scheme Quality and Safeguards Commission, Louise Glanville, and Natalie Wade, in the role of Associate Commissioner was announced. We wish them well in their respective roles.