Media Release by The Hon Sarah Henderson MP

New Framework to ensure NDIS Provider Markets are available to participants

Assistant Minister for Social Services, Housing and Disability Services, Sarah Henderson, today announced a new National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) Market Enablement Framework.

 

The new framework outlines how the Agency tasked with delivering the NDIS will fulfil its role as a market steward as the disability services market undergoes reform.

 

Ms Henderson said the new framework will ensure NDIS participants continue to be at the centre of decisions made by the NDIS.

 

“The shift to person-directed funding has given people with disability choice and control over the services and supports they receive.

 

“Demand for disability services is growing rapidly, with many service providers making decisions as to how best take advantage of the opportunities the NDIS presents.

 

“As at 30 September 2018, there were 17,925 providers registered to deliver NDIS supports – representing a 7 per cent increase on the last quarter.

 

“Additionally, the national disability support workforce is expected to more than double as the NDIS is introduced—from 73,600 full time equivalent workers at July 2013 to around 162,000 workers by full scheme,” Ms Henderson said.

 

Throughout the rollout of the NDIS, the Government has been committed to building an understanding of the developing NDIS market and workforce.

 

The new framework guides how the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) will monitor the market and determine what, if any, strategies should be adopted to encourage market growth or correction. A key principle highlighted in the NDIA Market Enablement Framework is enabling the market to develop and only intervening where participants are unable to access necessary supports.

 

“Where a decision is made that an intervention is required, the framework will guide the process to determine the type and duration of intervention, and monitoring of outcomes,” Ms Henderson said.

 

The NDIA is currently working on a number of projects that complement the Market Enablement Framework and ensure it is actioned efficiently and effectively, including local area monitoring that identifies potential undersupply of disability supports, enabling the NDIA to consider local responses.

 

More information about the NDIS Market Enablement Framework is available on the NDIS website.