Media Release by The Hon Stuart Robert MP

Update on NDIS and coronavirus – 20 August

Below is the update on NDIS participants and workforce and COVID-19 as at Wednesday, 19 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 support the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in Victoria and New South Wales:

  • NDIS participants can now use their NDIS funds to purchase PPE if they receive, on average, at least one hour a day of face-to-face daily living supports
  • NDIS providers can claim for PPE used when delivering face-to-face supports to NDIS participants
  • Self-managed participants and providers who are unable to source PPE through their normal channels can contact the National Medical Stockpile (NMS) to request face masks and other PPE at NDISCOVIDPPE@health.gov.au. More than a million face masks and other PPE has been allocated to the disability sector from the NMS.

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 Wednesday, 19 August 2020

National Positive COVID-19 Case Notifications

  Cumulative since March 2020 Current Active Cases
Participant 88 (+2) 37 (-4)
Worker 154 (+9) 80 (-8)
Total 242 (+11) 117 (-12)

Current Active Positive COVID-19 Cases by State and Territory

  NSW VIC QLD WA SA TAS ACT NT
Participant 37 (-2)
Worker 79 (-8)
Total 116 (-10)

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.