NDIA introduces longer-term NDIS plans
Assistant Minister for Social Services, Housing and Disability Services, Sarah Henderson announced National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) participants wanting longer-term plans will benefit from recent improvements.
“The Liberal National Government is committed to ensuring participants feel confident and assured they are receiving the NDIS supports they need,” Ms Henderson said.
“We have listened to the feedback of participants who have stable, longer term disability-related needs, who have told us they would like their plans to remain in place for longer than the standard 12 month period.
“By offering eligible participants the option for a longer plan, we are providing certainty to them and their chosen providers delivering supports.”
The option is available to participants after a pilot conducted in selected regions last year allowed longer plan durations for eligible participants. Staff are now encouraged to promote the option of longer plan durations nationally.
Since the commencement of the NDIS, participant plans have had a standard duration of 12 months, however eligible participants with stable support needs are being encouraged to consider plans up to 24 months before their scheduled review.
“By promoting the timeframe for NDIS plans of up to two years, we are giving participants who are ready to develop longer term goals the opportunity to do so,” Ms Henderson said.
“Importantly, if a participant would like to ensure their plan is reviewed more frequently, the standard 12 month duration is still available, and plans can be reviewed at any time if a participants circumstances change.
“To ensure the length of a participant’s plan is best suited to their needs, a number of factors are considered, including the stability of the participant’s support needs, key life transition points such as leaving school, and involvement with other government services.
“We know this will be a positive change for many NDIS participants, so we encourage participants to have a conversation with their Local Area Coordinator or planner to discuss what is best for them.”
The National Disability Insurance Agency has undertaken a number of activities and operational improvements to encourage longer-term plans including internal workshops and a review of tools and resources for Local Area Coordinators and planners.
The Government has worked with the Agency to improve participant experiences with the NDIS, including face to-face planning (where preferred), easier to read plans and improved training for Agency staff.