Update on NDIS and coronavirus – 24 August
Below is the update on NDIS participants and workforce and COVID-19 as at Friday, 21 August 2020. The reporting will ensure accurate and timely information is being provided to the community. The data is collated through reporting mechanisms of the NDIS Quality and Safeguard Commission and compiled by the Commonwealth’s NDIS Critical Response Group.
The Government reminds NDIS participants, disability support workers and NDIS providers of measures in place to ensure continuity of services in a COVIDSafe setting:
- The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) has created a panel of four large experienced disability providers in Victoria to offer additional workforce support for participants living in residential support settings if required.
- Aspen Medical has been appointed to provide a clinical first response for any identified outbreak in Victoria, which will ensure that infection control procedures, personal protective equipment (PPE) and nursing support is immediately in place for residents and workers, if needed.
- The NDIA has launched a dedicated webpage to help providers and participants find additional support workers during the pandemic. Links to these employment platforms are available at: www.ndis.gov.au/coronavirus/finding-support-workers.
- International students studying relevant courses currently working for registered disability service providers will be exempt from the usual 40-hour per fortnight work limit to help boost workforce supply.
Visit www.ndis.gov.au/coronavirus for more information.
Media contact: Minister Robert’s Office (02) 6277 7200
COVID-19 cases notified to the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission as at Friday, 21 August 2020
National Positive COVID-19 Case Notifications
| Cumulative since March 2020 | Current Active Cases | |
|---|---|---|
| Participant | 93 (-) | 36 (-4) |
| Worker | 164 (+3) | 71 (-5) |
| Total | 257 (+3) | 107 (-9) |
Current Active Positive COVID-19 Cases by State and Territory
| NSW | VIC | QLD | WA | SA | TAS | ACT | NT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Participant | – | 36 (-4) | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Worker | – | 70 (-5) | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Total | – | 106 (-9) | – | – | – | – | – | – |
Notes:
- Data only includes cases of COVID-19 in NDIS funded supports and services notified to the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission by registered NDIS providers. NDIS supports and services include those provided to people with disability in their own homes, or in disability accommodation supports under the NDIS. Infections may not occur due to the provision of NDIS supports and services and include acquired infections in the community.
- Data does not include: reports of people with disability who manage their own supports in the NDIS, as they are not required to report; all NDIS participants who may be residing in residential aged care where their providers are not required to be registered NDIS providers; and in-kind supports or other services that are under the jurisdiction of any other state and territory government, which may include Supported Residential Services, public housing, social and community housing.
- Active cases are determined by advice from providers to the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission. In order to protect individuals’ privacy, active cases are not specified in jurisdictions where there are low reports of infection.