DOCUMENT 7
From: redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant Peggie
To: redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant Clair; redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant Carly
Cc: redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant Shilpa
Subject: RE: Exceptional Circs - s33 [SEC=OFFICIAL]
Date: 02 May 2025 09:08:33
Attachments: image001.png
Hiya, I understand the desire but our OGs cannot say everyone gets a 3 month FP — it will need to be carefully worded so we’re not overriding the delegate discretion in the Act. Happy to work on that together, but I know Carly will work on her magic
Peggie redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant
Branch Manager, Scheme Policy
National Disability Insurance Agency
M: redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant | E: peggie.redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant@ndis.gov.au
From: redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant material Clair
Sent: Thursday, 1 May 2025 8:03 PM
To: redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant material Peggie; redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant material Carly
Cc: redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant material Shilpa
Subject: Re: Exceptional Circs - s33 [SEC=OFFICIAL]
Hi Peggie
I think this will absolutely help narrow down the circumstances where we would apply a 6 or 12 month funding period.
For the OG I would suggest we don’t talk about ‘exceptional circumstances’ and instead we word it along the lines of:
- Everyone gets a 3 month FP
- 6 or 12 month FPs will be considered on a case by case basis
- We will only apply 6 or 12 months FP if there is uncertainty about the participant’s support needs - and the criteria in the policy are met
Then we can do some case studies with the degenerative examples and any others we want.
Thanks for the opportunity to comment and happy to chat.
CW
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From: Peggie <Peggie.redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant@ndis.gov.au>
Sent: Thursday, May 1, 2025 3:21:02 PM
To: redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant Clair <Clair.redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant@ndis.gov.au>; redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant Carly <Carly.redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant@ndis.gov.au>
Cc: redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant Shilpa <Shilpa.redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant@ndis.gov.au>
Subject: Exceptional Circs - s33 [SEC=OFFICIAL]
Hello my brains trust,
We’re just finalising the s33 policy after a detailed review from legal — I wanted to test the exceptional circumstances section with you.
I’m sending up to Prue shortly, can you please let me know what you think?
Thank you!
redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant Carly
Exceptional circumstances
While funding periods will usually be 3 months long under this Policy, the legislation provides for delegate discretion in how funding periods are applied on a case-by-case basis. This is similar to many other delegate decisions under the Act.
The only example of an exceptional circumstance that is likely to require a 6- or 12-month funding period identified in this Policy is if:
- there is a high degree of uncertainty about the participant’s support needs over the plan period (specifically in relation to uncertainty around the timing of the supports they require).
A scenario where this would apply is if a participant has a degenerative condition with an uncertain trajectory.
Steps for a delegate in considering whether exceptional circumstances apply are:
- Identify the exceptional circumstance. This involves clarifying what issue/s may occur if a 3-month funding period was applied (to help identify why the circumstance is exceptional and should vary from the guidance in this Policy).
- Delegate to consider: what is the reason why 6 or 12 months of funding is required on the first day of the first funding period?
- Note: participant preference is not the same as an exceptional circumstance. Participant preference is considered above.
- Confirm the circumstance is not due to a specific support or one of the scenarios detailed in 4.3.6 ‘Consistent implementation of proportion of funds’ where ‘front-loading’ a proportion of the funds would address the issue/s.
- If it is, then the funding period length of 3 months would generally be applied, with front-loading specific to accommodate the issue and remaining funds distributed over the plan.
- Discuss the circumstance with the Practice Lead or line manager.
Peggie redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant
Branch Manager, Scheme Policy
National Disability Insurance Agency
M: redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant material | E: peggie.redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant@ndis.gov.au
From: redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant material Clair <Clair.redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant material@ndis.gov.au>
Sent: Friday, 18 April 2025 2:04 PM
To: redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant Peggie <Peggie.redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant@ndis.gov.au>; redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant Daniel <Daniel.redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant@ndis.gov.au>; redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant Erin <Erin.redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant@ndis.gov.au>; redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant material Kellie <Kellie.redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant material@ndis.gov.au>; redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant material Jo <Jo.redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant material@ndis.gov.au>; redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant Kade <Kade.redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant@ndis.gov.au>; redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant material Sara <Sara.redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant material@ndis.gov.au>; redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant Laurel <Laurel.redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant@ndis.gov.au>; redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant Patrick <Patrick.redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant@ndis.gov.au>; redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant material Sandra <Sandra.redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant material@ndis.gov.au>; redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant material Toni <Toni.redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant material@ndis.gov.au>; redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant Nicholas <Nicholas.redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant@ndis.gov.au>; redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant material Nick <Nick.redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant material@ndis.gov.au>; redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant Donna <Donna.redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant@ndis.gov.au>; redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant Elyse <Elyse.redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant@ndis.gov.au>; redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant Julie <Julie.redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant@ndis.gov.au>; redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant material Carly <Carly.redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant material@ndis.gov.au>; redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant material Melissa <Melissa.redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant material@ndis.gov.au>; redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant Olivia <Olivia.redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant@ndis.gov.au>; redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant Steve <Steve.redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant@ndis.gov.au>; redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant material Alexandria
<Alexandria.redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant material@ndis.gov.au>; redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant material Herman <Herman.redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant@ndis.gov.au>
Cc: redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant Shilpa <Shilpa.redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant@ndis.gov.au>; redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant Sally <Sally.redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant@ndis.gov.au>; redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant material Prue <Prue.redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant material@ndis.gov.au>; redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant Aaron <Aaron.redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant@ndis.gov.au>
Subject: RE: FOR REVIEW by 22/4: Funding periods for old framework plans (section 33) [SEC=OFFICIAL]
Thanks Peggie this looks good and no comments from me. I agree with Carly on the definition of ‘exceptional circumstances’ (otherwise everyone says their circumstances are exceptional) but I think the OG can be the way we solve this if we include clear explanation of when we would/wouldn’t consider longer than a 3 month period.
Kind regards, Clair
From: redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant Peggie <Peggie.redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant@ndis.gov.au>
Sent: Wednesday, 16 April 2025 5:46 PM
To: redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant Daniel <Daniel.redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant@ndis.gov.au>; redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant Erin <Erin.redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant@ndis.gov.au>; redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant material Kellie <Kellie.redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant material@ndis.gov.au>; redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant material Jo <Jo.redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant material@ndis.gov.au>; redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant Kade <Kade.redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant@ndis.gov.au>; redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant material Sara <Sara.redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant@ndis.gov.au>; redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant Laurel <Laurel.redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant@ndis.gov.au>; redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant Patrick <Patrick.redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant@ndis.gov.au>; redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant material Sandra <Sandra.redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant material@ndis.gov.au>; redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant material Toni <Toni.redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant material@ndis.gov.au>; redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant Nicholas <Nicholas.redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant@ndis.gov.au>; redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant material Nick <Nick.redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant material@ndis.gov.au>; redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant Donna <Donna.redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant@ndis.gov.au>; redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant Elyse <Elyse.redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant@ndis.gov.au>; redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant material Clair <Clair.redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant material@ndis.gov.au>; redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant Julie <Julie.redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant@ndis.gov.au>; redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant material Carly <Carly.redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant material@ndis.gov.au>; redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant material Melissa <Melissa.redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant material@ndis.gov.au>; redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant Olivia <Olivia.redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant@ndis.gov.au>; redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant Steve <Steve.redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant@ndis.gov.au>; redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant material Alexandria <Alexandria.redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant material@ndis.gov.au>; redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant material Herman <Herman.redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant@ndis.gov.au>
Cc: redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant Shilpa <Shilpa.redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant@ndis.gov.au>; redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant Sally <Sally.redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant@ndis.gov.au>; redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant material Prue <Prue.redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant material@ndis.gov.au>; redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant Aaron <Aaron.redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant@ndis.gov.au>
Subject: FOR REVIEW by 22/4: Funding periods for old framework plans (section 33) [SEC=OFFICIAL]
Hello all,
Apologies in advance for the tight timeframes… we are seeking your review of updates to the operational policy ‘Funding amounts and funding periods for old framework plans (Section 33)’.
The s33 Policy has been in place for some time, but is now being updated to reflect the SLT decision on 31 March for more consistent use of 3-month funding periods: Section 33 Policy - Funding periods for old framework plans - Update Apr 2025 - REVIEW BMs.docx
Due to go live of the change scheduled in PACE for May, we are seeking your feedback by 22 April. The policy will go to the Policy Committee meeting on 1 May for endorsement.
An overview of the key changes is set out below. Please reach out to Sally redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) or Shilpa redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) if you’d like to discuss further.
Thanks so much, and sorry for the Easter-weekend timing.
Kind regards Peggie
Overview
In scope for the update is Part 4.3. Funding period, on page 8 to 19.
Key changes include:
Length of funding period
- Consistent use of 3-month funding periods and 1-month if non-compliance or risk to participant. In exceptional circumstances 6 or 12-month funding periods can be considered, with indicators outlined to guide delegate decision.
- Introduces operational threshold on plan value to direct to 3-month funding periods if:
- Plan value equal to or over $50,000 (annualised and excluding capital items) for participants 9 and over
- Plan value equal to or over $10,000 (annualised and excluding capital items) for participants younger than 9.
- Introduces Table 1 on page 12 to 13 – to provide more detail on how to apply the risk assessment and indicators to support decision making. Not all of these will be visible/available to delegates on ‘day 1’.
- Clarifies consideration of participant preference – it is a matter that must be taken into account; delegate to consider whether preference conflicts with risk assessment and other indicators in Table 1.
- Removed reference to a ‘minimum’ funding period length of 12 months for 2 supports with a yearly unit of measure in PAPL. Based on SME input to date updates are:
- HEN products – will not impact the funding period length. Instead, the first funding period for consumables will be adjusted to include the amount for HEN funding.
- Core Transport – will not impact the funding period length. Funding periods will be set in line with risk assessment (no bespoke action) and this will continue to be processed as per current state (fortnightly cash payment).
Set proportion of funds
- List of supports where 100% of funds to be available in first funding period
- List of supports and circumstances where front-loading to be considered, with direction on amount
- Directs proportionate distribution as the usual approach if the two lists above do not apply. This would mean 25% of the annualised amount of funds is available on the first day of each funding period for a plan with 3-month funding periods.
- Affirms Agency’s position on pre-payment (not a reason to front-load)
- Clarifies matters to guide delegate discretion – note that the Ministerial Determination is silent on proportion of funds.
Language
- Policy sets out ‘usual’ policy settings to drive consistent decision making on funding periods
- Policy recognises delegate discretion per the Act and that delegate can adjust settings in individual circumstances. Directs to engage with Practice Lead in these circumstances.
- Policy does not use the term ‘default’