NDIS update: Vic and NSW Providers to directly claim costs of PPE

The Minister for the NDIS, Stuart Robert, has announced temporary changes to allow NDIS providers in Victoria and NSW to directly claim the costs of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) from the NDIA.

With community transmission of coronavirus evident in both states, and in line with current health advice, the changes will apply to providers who use PPE to deliver essential daily life services to participants.

‘We’re making it simpler for NDIS providers to claim the costs of PPE to continue safely delivering face-to-face services to participants,’ Minister Robert said.

‘This change will also give participants greater confidence that their NDIS plan funds will not be impacted by the use of PPE, as providers can now directly bill these costs to the NDIA.’

The changes will see providers able to claim an allowance of $1.70 per hour of support delivered in the Activities of Daily Life Support Category, to cover the cost of PPE.

Providers will be able to claim for costs they have incurred for delivering daily living supports from 29 July, in line with previous provisions made for providers to support PPE use.

Providers will also be able to continue claiming for PPE costs through the Price Guide, in agreement with participants, announced as part of the previous provisions.

Victorian and NSW providers will be contacted over the coming days with further detail on the new way of claiming for PPE, or can visit ndis.gov.au for more information.

In addition to new funding arrangements for providers sourcing PPE in Victoria and NSW, the Morrison Government is also working to streamline arrangements for providers to access PPE through the National Medical Stockpile where they are no longer able to access PPE through their usual means.

In advance of these new arrangements, the Government is providing another urgent dispatch of PPE (surgical masks and face shields) from the National Medical Stockpile today for 48 Supported Independent Living providers in Victoria that are working in high needs areas and may have had challenges obtaining PPE.

Today’s announcement is in addition to existing NDIS participant-focused coronavirus response measures, including proactive outreach to 7,000 high risk participants in Victoria and distribution of more than 190,000 face masks to over 260 providers.

Further information on funding of PPE can be found at www.ndis.gov.au

For information and advice regarding the appropriate use of PPE, visit the Department of Health website at health.gov.au