Media Release by The Hon Christian Porter MP

A national commitment to NDIS Quality and Safety

COAG Disability Reform Council Statement

Nationally consistent protections for participants in the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) will be put in place under a new Quality and Safeguarding Framework (the Framework) released today by the Council of Australian Governments Disability Reform Council (the Council).

Disability Ministers from the Commonwealth, States and Territories said the Framework will support the NDIS at full scheme.

All governments are committed to ensuring appropriate safeguards are in place and that NDIS participants will be supported to choose high quality services.

States and Territories will maintain their current quality and safeguarding arrangements until the Framework is implemented in their jurisdiction.

The new system will be nationally consistent and establishes the responsibilities of providers and their staff.

Worker screening and reducing restrictive practices are key components of the new Framework, and responsibility for this will be shared between the Commonwealth and State and Territory Governments.

The Commonwealth will establish a national complaint and serious incidents system and an NDIS Code of Conduct for providers and their staff. The Commonwealth will also establish a national registrar responsible for registering providers and overseeing their compliance with registration requirements, including compliance with the National Standards for Disability Services and Mental Health Services.

For participants, the new national system will provide access to information and support in dealing with providers and avenues for resolving issues quickly, empowering them to have choice and control over decisions which affect them.

Providers will be expected to deliver person-centred, quality services, as well as develop and maintain a trusted, competent and skilled workforce that reflects the values and principles of the NDIS.

The Framework is a result of extensive consultation with key stakeholders including people with disability, carers, providers, peak bodies and the National Disability Insurance Agency.

There will be further opportunities to contribute to the implementation of the Framework with consultation rounds to be advertised during 2017.

All governments are committed to working together to implement the new arrangements and this Framework represents effective collaboration in delivering the NDIS.

A copy of the Framework is available at www.dss.gov.au/ndisqualitysafeguards.

Representing the Disability Reform Council is:

  • The Hon Christian Porter MP (chair), Minister for Social Services, Commonwealth
  • The Hon Ray Williams MP, Minister for Disability Services, New South Wales
  • The Hon Martin Foley MLA, Minister for Housing, Disability and Ageing, Victoria
  • The Hon Coralee O’Rourke MP, Minister for Disability Services, Queensland
  • The Hon Leesa Vlahos MP, Minister for Disabilities, South Australia
  • The Hon Donna Faragher JP MLC, Minister for Disability Services, Western Australia
  • The Hon Jacquie Petrusma MP, Minister for Human Services, Tasmania
  • Ms Rachel Stephen-Smith MLA, Minister for Disability, Children and Youth, Australian Capital Territory
  • The Hon Natasha Kate Fyles MLA, Minister for Health, Northern Territory