DOCUMENT 10

From: redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant Shilpa To: redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant Sally Subject: Fw: For review/approval - Updated Section 33 Policy following 13 May Policy Committee Meeting [SEC=OFFICIAL] Date: 16 May 2025 08:23:35 Attachments: image001.png, image001.png

FYI, email chain below has updates on s.33 policy - endorsed by policy committee with a couple of small tweaks.

Currently back with Prue but everyone aware of the outcomes and the minor tweaks we have made.

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From: Shilpa <Shilpa.redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant@ndis.gov.au> Sent: Wednesday, May 14, 2025 5:34 pm To: redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant material Prue <Prue.redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant material@ndis.gov.au> Cc: redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant Jessica <Jessica.redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant@ndis.gov.au>; redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant Jaklin <Jaklin.redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant@ndis.gov.au> redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant Subject: RE: For review/approval - Updated Section 33 Policy following 13 May Policy Committee Meeting [SEC=OFFICIAL]

Hi Prue

Thanks for the notes re: s.33 Policy following yesterday’s Policy Committee meeting. Based on your notes in the email below I have made some tweaks to the Policy to:

• Clarify that a degenerative condition is the exceptional circumstance. Suggest keeping the language of ‘exceptional circumstance’ — but being explicit on what it means - because the legislation provides for delegate discretion in how funding periods are applied on a case-by-case basis.
• The Policy also includes an explicit line re: participant preference needing to be appropriately weighted. We are working with comms on messaging and comms materials re: this point.

Updated/tweaked policy is linked for your review/approval. Edits are on pages 11 - 16 of the policy and are tracked in and highlighted for easy reference:

redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant material Section 33 Policy - Funding periods for old framework - updated following Policy Committee.docx

Let me know if you’d like further edits/changes — appreciate the exceptional circumstances updates may need to be stronger!

And happy to discuss further too.

Thanks, Shilpa

From: redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant material Prue <Prue.redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant material@ndis.gov.au> Sent: Tuesday, 13 May 2025 4:58 PM To: redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant Shilpa <Shilpa.redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant@ndis.gov.au> Cc: redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant Jessica <Jessica.redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant@ndis.gov.au>; redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant Jaklin <Jaklin.redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant@ndis.gov.au> Subject: RE: DCEO Approval Updated Section 33 Policy for the 13 May Policy Committee Meeting [SEC=OFFICIAL]

Thanks SB.

Policy full endorsed, notes below. The point highlighted in yellow is the only area that requires a slight change in the policy.

1. Funding periods policy:
   1. Use of exceptional circumstances opens us up to a high degree of uncertainty; consideration of identifying a specific circumstance (degenerative) rather than opening up ‘exceptional circumstance’
   2. Participant preference needs to be appropriately weighted and this needs to be communicated.
   3. Service Delivery focus - funding period roll over of funds is a key piece to communicate effectively - Lisa to come back with way of approaching communications in knowledge articles
   4. Discussion about ART reviews and likelihood of increased pipeline of cases coming through ART
   5. My Provider link required in PACE to validate
   6. Concern about rollover of unused funds and follow up with Matt/Rebecca for legal advice.

From: redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant Shilpa <Shilpa.redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant@ndis.gov.au> Sent: Tuesday, 13 May 2025 4:06 PM To: redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant material Prue <Prue.redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant material@ndis.gov.au> Cc: redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant Jessica <Jessica.redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant@ndis.gov.au>; redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant Jaklin <Jaklin.redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant@ndis.gov.au> Subject: RE: DCEO Approval Updated Section 33 Policy for the 13 May Policy Committee Meeting [SEC=OFFICIAL]

Hi Prue

Sorry for the delay — draft email for you to send to the division re: s.33 policy updates is available here: redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant material Draft email for GM - Changes to section 33 funding periods for OFP policy.docx

Was the policy endorsed in full at Policy Committee today?

Thanks Shilpa

From: Prue <Prue.redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant@ndis.gov.au> Sent: Monday, 12 May 2025 7:03 PM To: Shilpa <Shilpa.redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant@ndis.gov.au>; Natasha <Natasha.redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant@ndis.gov.au>; David <David.redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant@ndis.gov.au>; Erin <Erin.redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant@ndis.gov.au> Subject: FW: DCEO Approval Updated Section 33 Policy for the 13 May Policy Committee Meeting [SEC=OFFICIAL]

redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant

Shilpa

Could you pls draft me a short email to the division making sure that everyone is aware of the changes in the policy - @ David; @ Natasha I am presenting this paper to SLT tomorrow, any thoughts on how we are going to monitoring implementation of this change its impact on sustainability in particular.

@ Erin while this policy is for old framework only, a lot of the work has been done for you to leverage for New Framework Planning risk-based policies.

Prue

From: Prue <Prue.redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant@ndis.gov.au> Sent: Saturday, 10 May 2025 9:44 AM To: Shilpa <Shilpa.redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant@ndis.gov.au> Subject: Fw: DCEO Approval Updated Section 33 Policy for the 13 May Policy Committee Meeting [SEC=OFFICIAL]

Great feedback, well done Shilpa - please pass onto the team

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From: Corri <Corri.redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant@ndis.gov.au> Sent: Saturday, May 10, 2025 9:22:22 AM To: Prue <Prue.redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant@ndis.gov.au>

Cc: redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant Jessica <Jessica.redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant@ndis.gov.au>; redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant Shilpa <Shilpa.redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant@ndis.gov.au>; redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant Peggie <Peggie.redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant@ndis.gov.au>; redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant Jaklin <Jaklin.redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant@ndis.gov.au>; redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant Tracey <Tracey.redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant@ndis.gov.au> Subject: Re: DCEO Approval Updated Section 33 Policy for the 13 May Policy Committee Meeting [SEC=OFFICIAL]

Thanks so much Prue and Shilpa - this is great work and really appreciate it.

Good to go to Policy Committee.

From: redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant material Prue <Prue.redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant material@ndis.gov.au> Sent: 08 May 2025 1:47 PM To: redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant material Corri <Corri.redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant material@ndis.gov.au> Cc: redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant Jessica <Jessica.redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant@ndis.gov.au>; redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant Shilpa <Shilpa.redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant@ndis.gov.au>; redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant Peggie <Peggie.redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant@ndis.gov.au>; redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant Jaklin <Jaklin.redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant@ndis.gov.au>; redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant Tracey <Tracey.redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant@ndis.gov.au> Subject: DCEO Approval Updated Section 33 Policy for the 13 May Policy Committee Meeting [SEC=OFFICIAL]

Corri

With thanks to Shilpa, attached is an Updated Section 33 Policy for the 13 May Policy Committee meeting.

The Policy introduces 3-monthly funding intervals as the preferred setting, to take effect from 19 May 2025, in line with the PACE system release.

We look forward to your thoughts and feedback.

Prue redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant material General Manager, Policy and Practice Leadership National Disability Insurance Agency Mobile redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant material | Email prueredacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant material@ndis.gov.au

Divisional Support Officer: Jaklin redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant – M: redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant material E: jaklin.redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant@ndis.gov.au Executive Assistant: Jo redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant – M: redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant material E: jo.redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant@ndis.gov.au

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The NDIA acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to them and their cultures and to Elders past, present and emerging.

Section 33 (s33) Funding Periods in PACE – Applying s33 Provisions

E-LEARNING

This module is designed for Frontline Agency staff who work in planning roles or roles that make, support, advise on, or communicate planning decisions. Staff begin their learning journey by engaging with a Team Leader or Team Member Information Pack, then complete five learning modules. The first three modules introduce PACE enhancements with a focus on Funding Periods. The last two include videos which demonstrate how to complete PACE tasks related to this topic. Then, staff complete two change packs about Plan Change and Internal Review Cases.

This is the first of the five modules which outline how the Agency is enhancing PACE to enable improved implementation of additional s33 changes.

SETTING THE SCENE

• Introduction
• Learning Objectives

OVERVIEW

• The NDIS Act and the Introduction of Additional s33 Provisions
• Plan Duration
• Total Funding Amount
• Funding Components and Funding Component Amounts
• Funding Periods

FUNDING PERIODS

• Preparing to Make Funding Period Determinations
• Applying Funding Periods in PACE
• Distributing Funds to Funding Periods

WRAP-UP

• In summary
• Close and exit

Lesson 1 of 12

Important information before you begin:

• You’ll need 30 minutes with limited distractions to complete this course.
• To navigate through the module, you can use either a mouse or keyboard.
• To transition between sections of this course you can use the next lesson tab which will appear at the bottom of the screen at the end of the section.

This is the first of five modules which outline how the Agency is enhancing PACE to enable improved implementation of additional s33 changes with an emphasis on Funding Periods.

The module:

• Reminds learners of changes to s33 provisions which were effective from 9 October 2024 and the Agency’s long-term implementation plan
• Defines additional s33 provisions
• Refreshes knowledge about Old and New Framework plans
• Explains the relationship between Funding Periods, Total Funding Amount and Funding Component Amounts
• Outlines how Funding Periods differ from Plan Duration
• Focuses on making Funding Period determinations
• Explains how to apply Funding Periods in PACE
• Describes how to distribute funds to Funding Periods.

Only PACE enhancements effective from May 2025 are covered in this eLearning module.

The content in this eLearning module is current as of 23 April, 2025.

Alternative instructions for using your keyboard

• Text, Statement, Quote, and List Blocks
  • Use the Up and Down arrow keys to scroll through text.
  • Use the Left and Right arrow keys to flip through quote carousels.
  • Select Enter or the spacebar to check and uncheck boxes in checkbox lists.
• Image and Gallery Blocks
  • Use the Left and Right arrow keys to flip through image carousels.

• To zoom into an image, use Tab or Shift+Tab to select it, then select Enter or the spacebar.
• To zoom out of an image, select Enter, the spacebar, or Esc.

Multimedia Blocks

• For audio and video blocks, press the spacebar to play and pause the media.
• For a web video, use Tab or Shift+Tab to navigate through the video controls and select Enter to activate each control.
• For a web page, select Enter to open it in a new browser tab.
• For an attachment, select Enter to download it.
• For a code snippet, use the Up and Down arrows to scroll through the text

Interactive Buttons

• Use Tab or Shift+Tab to select a button.
• Select Enter to activate the button.

Further instructions open in a new tab for Keyboard-Accessible Navigation (external).

Enquiries or suggestions about this learning material are welcome and should be directed to the NDIA Scheme Reforms and Transition Branch.

To contact the NDIA Scheme Reforms and Transition Branch via email

NDIA SCHEME REFOR…

This learning material was developed by the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA)

© Commonwealth of Australia 2025.

Lesson 2 of 12

• Define Total Funding Amount, Funding Component Amount and Funding Periods
• Describe the differences between Old Framework and New Framework plans
• Outline the Agency’s long-term implementation plan for additional s33 provisions
• Outline information which is used to inform Plan Duration determinations
• Recognise information which is used to inform Funding Period determinations
• Explain how Funding Periods will be applied in PACE
• Explain how to distribute funds to Funding Periods.

Throughout this course, you will be engaged in a number of informal assessment activities. Your answers are not recorded or reported anywhere.

Lesson 3 of 12

Section 33 of the National Disability Insurance Scheme Act 2013 Commonwealth (Cth) refers to matters that must be included in a participant’s plan, such as a statement of goals and aspirations and a statement of participant supports.

Parliament House in Canberra

On 9 October 2024, changes to s33 became effective and the National Disability Insurance Agency (the Agency) needed to start including three additional provisions in participant plans:

1. Total Funding Amount: The total budget amount for the NDIS supports funded in a participant’s plan.
2. Funding Component Amount: Funding for a specific NDIS support, or a group of NDIS supports, in a participant’s plan.

3. Funding Period: The time that a part of a participant’s funding becomes available. A participant can spend up to the amount of funding that is available in that time. Funding Periods can be for either the Total Funding Amount of a plan or for each Funding Component Amount in a plan.

Old and New Framework Plans

Two new terms were also introduced to describe plans, Old Framework and New Framework plans. Old Framework plans are either Old Framework plans with additional s33 provisions or Old Framework plans without additional s33 provisions.

Changes to the way we develop plans are being implemented in three stages:

1. Previous State: The time before s33 legislative changes were implemented on 9 October 2024.
2. Interim Implementation Stage: We are currently in this stage. It began in October 2024 when additional s33 provisions were introduced and will continue until the Future State. During this stage the Agency is enhancing PACE to enable improved implementation of additional s33 provisions.
3. Future State: A time in the future when new plans will be developed with support needs assessments and a new budget model.

Infographic showing the timeline for the Agency’s implementation plan for additional s33 provisions.

CONTINUE

Lesson 4 of 12

Plan Duration

Plan Duration:

The length of time between the date when the plan is approved and the date the plan is to be reassessed by the Agency.

Image displaying consecutive years from 1973 to 1977

The Agency is reintroducing longer Plan Durations. When Funding Periods are added to PACE, Plan Delegates will be able to approve plans with durations longer than 12 months again.

• A Plan Duration determination is separate from a Funding Period determination.
• Plan Delegates determine Plan Durations.
• Determining the duration of a plan is one of the first steps a Plan Delegate takes when preparing a statement of participant supports under s33.
• Plan Duration should be based on when the NDIA is required to reassess a plan and not used as a safeguard to support compliance with s46 or utilisation of funds.

Plan Durations Matrix

Plan Delegates should use the Plan Durations Matrix when making plan duration determinations.

Follow the link here to access the Plan Duration matrix. The matrix will provide the most current guidance for decision making.

Plan Durations for participant cohorts vary based on their pathway:

• participants younger than 9 are recommended plans of 2-years duration, with exceptions (see matrix below)
• participants aged 9 and over are recommended plans of 5-years duration, with exceptions (see matrix below)

Quiz 1

There are two questions in this quiz. Answers are not recorded or reported anywhere.

Q1. There is a plan for a 35-year-old participant who met Disability access criteria. What is the recommended Plan Duration for this participant if there are no exceptions?

• One year
• Three years
• Five years

SUBMIT

Q2. If a participant has a degenerative condition and is not streamed YPIRAC, what is the recommended Plan Duration?

• One year
• Two years
• Five years

SUBMIT

CONTINUE

Lesson 5 of 12

Total Funding Amount

Total Funding Amount:

The total budget amount for the NDIS supports funded in a participants entire plan.

Image displaying addition of numbers on a blackboard

For example, if a two-year plan contains only two support categories:

• Capacity Building Improved Daily Living Skills $5,000 and
• Capacity Building Finding and Keeping a Job $2,000.

The Total Funding Amount for the plan is $7,000.

The Total Funding Amount for a plan is determined by Plan Delegates and calculated using the Plan Conversation Support Tool (PCST). This ensures it is legislatively compliant and aligned with the National Disability Insurance Scheme (Old Framework Plans) Determination 2024.

Total Funding Amount versus Total Funded Amount

Within PACE, the terms Total Funding Amount and Total Funded Amount have different meanings and the information is stored in different locations.

Total Funding Amount can be found in the Person Account on the My Budget tab.

Refer to the PACE screenshot below for more information.

My Budget tab in a Person Account in PACE showing Total Funding Amount

Total Funded Amount refers to the total funds available for a specific support category over the plan duration, and the Total Funded Amount field is used when adding or changing a Funded Support. This information is displayed in Update Funded Support screen, in the Total Funded Amount field.

Refer to the PACE screenshot below for more information.

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Update Funded Support screen in PACE showing the Total Funded Amount field

CONTINUE

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Lesson 6 of 12

Funding Components and Funding Component Amounts

Funding Component:

A support or a ‘group’ of supports. Flexible Core supports with the same fund management type will be one Funding Component, as will each Stated support.

Funding Component Amount:

The funding for a specific NDIS support, or a group of NDIS supports, in a participant’s plan.

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Black and white image containing multiple text versions of the word “support” in different sizes and fonts

Click on the ‘plus’ symbol below to learn more.

Application

• From May 2025, Funding Periods will be applied to Funding Components (not support categories).
• In the future, Funding Periods will be applied at the Funding Component level and the Total Funding Amount level.

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Funding Component Groups

PACE will automatically group some support categories into a single Funding Component. There are two criteria that must be met for this to happen. The support categories must:

• be flexible, and
• have the same plan management type.

The same Funding Period is then applied to the Funding Component group.

Single Support Funding Components

Stated supports will not be grouped together, which means each of the following three support types will be a separate Funding Component:

• Capacity Building
• Capital
• Recurring.

This means PACE automatically groups the total funded supports for flexible Core support categories with the same Fund Management type into one Funding Component Amount.

Example

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The following table shows two examples where support categories which are both flexible and have the same fund management type will be automatically grouped in the same Funding Component by PACE.

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Funding Component

Quiz 2

There are four questions in this quiz. Answers are not recorded or reported anywhere.

There is a plan with a five-year duration. The summary in the completed PCST for this plan shows $186,000 for Flexible support and $170,000 for Stated support in the Budget column. More detailed information about this plan is provided in the table below.

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Q1. What is the Total Funding Amount for this plan?

• O $186,000
• O $170,000
• O $356,000

SUBMIT

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Q2. How many Funding Components will PACE produce for this plan?

• O One
• O Three
• O Six

SUBMIT

Q3. What is the Funding Component Amount for Improved Daily Living supports in this plan?

• @ $66,000
• O $30,000
• O $120,000

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SUBMIT

Q4. How many Funding Components will PACE produce for Capital supports in this plan?

• O One
• O Two
• @ Three

SUBMIT

CONTINUE

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Lesson 7 of 12

Funding Periods

A wall with clocks of different design and size

Funding Periods:

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A time, set by a Plan Delegate, to manage when funding will be made available within a plan. A Funding Period is the time that a part of a participant’s funding becomes available. A participant can spend up to the amount of funding that is available in that time.

Click on the ‘plus’ symbol below to learn more.

Characteristics

Funding Periods can:

• Be selected in PACE
• Not be longer than 12 months
• Be different for various Funding Component Amounts (eg. different Funding Components can have different Funding Periods within the same plan).

Plan Delegate Role

A Plan Delegate:

• Makes determinations about how to apply Funding Periods in a plan
• Determines the following for each individual Funding Component:
  • Length of time applied to Funding Periods
  • Funds distributed to each Funding Period

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Determinations about Funding Periods form part of the Statement of Participant Supports, which are reviewable decisions.

CONTINUE

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Lesson 8 of 12

Preparing to Make Funding Period Determinations

Introduction

PACE enhancements will allow staff to apply Funding Periods at the Funding Component Amount level for all first plans, scheduled and unscheduled reassessments. Once plans have Funding Periods applied, any approved variations must also have Funding Periods. If a plan does not include Funding Periods and a variation is approved, the variation will not include Funding Periods.

Funding Periods are automatically applied for recurring transport supports, not Transport in Core.

Funding Periods are not applied to In-kind supports and direct commissioning supports.

Matters to be Taken into Account

When making determinations about Funding Periods, Plan Delegates must apply a risk assessment based on the NDIS (Old Framework) Determination 2024. The determination specifies ten matters that Plan Delegates need to take into account when making Funding Period determinations.

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Select the flip symbol on the following ten cards to learn about the matters that Plan Delegates need to take into account.

• Unlikely to comply with s46
• Whether a person is unlikely to spend NDIS funds only on NDIS supports or in accordance with the plan. Even after taking an educative approach.
• Financial Risk
• Whether the participant is at risk of experiencing fraud or financial exploitation.

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• Physical, mental or financial harm
• Whether a funding period of a particular duration would likely result in the participant experiencing physical, mental or financial harm.
• Insolvency
• Whether the participant, the plan nominee or the child representative is an insolvent under administration.

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• Repeated requests
• Whether there have been repeated requests for plan variations or reassessments without information or documents demonstrating a change in the participant’s circumstances.
• Risk of payment exceeding funding amount
• Funding for reasonable and necessary supports will be exhausted earlier than anticipated.

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• Plan value
• The value of the total funding amount. For example, a higher amount may require a shorter funding period.
• Kind of support
• The nature and cost of the reasonable and necessary supports specified in the plan. For example, whether the support is to be provided as a once-off purchase, is a high-cost item, or a recurring support.

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• Participant preference
• Any preference the participant has expressed as to the duration of the funding periods.
• Previous s46 compliance
• Whether s46 has not been complied with in any of the participant’s previous plans.

CONTINUE

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Funding Periods Matrix

Determining Funding Periods

The starting point for Funding Periods is 3 months.

Plan Delegates should use the following matrix to assess risks and preferences to determine the Funding Period for each Funding Component Amount. The matrix is based on Section 7 (2) (a-j) of the National Disability Insurance Scheme Old Framework Plans) Determination 2024 and sets out the 10 matters a Plan Delegate must take into account when setting the Funding Period(s) in a plan.

If there is a strong requirement or request for 6 or 12 month Funding Periods discuss this with your Practice Lead or Team Leader.

Plan Delegates are expected to individually consider each Funding Component to determine the most appropriate Funding Period.

Follow the link here to access the Funding Periods matrix. The matrix will provide the most current guidance for decision making.

Quiz 3

There are three questions in this quiz. Answers are not recorded or reported anywhere.

Q1. Funding Periods are not applied to:

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(Hint: two answers are correct)

• Transport supports (in Core)
• In-kind supports
• Recurring transport supports
• Direct Commissioning

SUBMIT

Q2. The starting point for Funding Periods is 3 months, with no exceptions.

• O True
• O False

SUBMIT

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Q3. Which two pieces of information do Plan Delegates use to guide determinations about Funding Periods?

• NDIS (Old Framework) Determination 2024
• Plan Durations Matrix
• Funding Periods Decision Matrix

SUBMIT

CONTINUE

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Lesson 9 of 12

Applying Funding Periods in PACE

Applying Funding Periods

PACE can be used to evenly apply Funding Periods or will automatically apply different length Funding Periods where even application is not possible.

An even Funding Period means applying the same Funding Period evenly within a Funding Component Amount.

Example

In a 2-year plan with a Funding Component Amount for Capacity Building - Improved Daily Living Skills, the result will be eight evenly applied 3-month Funding Periods as shown below.

When the Funding Period(s) that have been selected for a plan cannot be evenly divided into the remaining plan duration, PACE will automatically determine the number and length of Funding Periods. PACE uses a combination of one, three and/or six-month Funding Periods to do this.

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Example

If the Plan Duration is 22 months and a 3-month Funding Period is selected, PACE will apply Funding Periods as follows.

CONTINUE

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Lesson 10 of 12

Distributing Funds to Funding Periods

A Plan Delegate must distribute funds for each Funding Component Amount, to the Funding Periods in a plan.

For each Funding Component, the amount of funds distributed must equal the Total Funded Amount.

Click on the ‘plus’ symbol below to learn more.

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Plan Delegate Role

Plan Delegates are responsible for ensuring that the distribution of funds in a plan aligns to a participant’s needs.

Planning Practices

After a Plan Delegate selects ‘even’ PACE automatically distributes funds in one of two ways: even or once-off.

Plan Delegates review this distribution and decide whether it should remain or be changed. The process of making changes to the distribution of funds in a plan is referred to as custom distribution.

Plan Delegates may also condense Funding Periods to minimise the number of lines being printed unnecessarily on a plan and reduce confusion for participants.

Even Distribution

For support categories with a Regular Frequency type, PACE will distribute the Funding Component Amount evenly across all the Funding Periods in a plan. This means each Funding Period will include the same pro-rata amount.

Example

In a 2-year plan with an $8,000 Funding Component Amount for Capacity Building - Improved Daily Living Skills, PACE will apply eight even 3-month Funding Periods with $1,000 in each.

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(Rationale: The Funding Period Decisions Matrix indicates 3-month Funding Periods for this support category. The support category has regular frequency type. Therefore PACE distributes funds evenly across all Funding Periods.)

In circumstances where the Funding Component Amount is not able to be evenly divided across Funding Periods PACE automatically distributes funds as evenly as possible and allocates the residual amount to the first Funding Period.

Once Off Distribution

For support categories with a Once Off Frequency type, PACE will distribute all the Funding Component Amount to the first Funding Period in a plan.

Example

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In a 2-year plan with a $16,000 Funding Component Amount for Assistive Technology, PACE will apply one 3-month Funding Period with $16,000 and seven remaining 3-month Funding Periods with $0.

Custom Distribution

Custom distribution is the process of making changes to the distribution of funds in a plan.

Plan Delegates review the PACE distribution of funds and decide whether it should remain or be changed.

Distribution of funds (Funding Component Amounts) can be customised across Funding Periods, based on percentages or specific amounts. This means different amounts can be distributed to some or all Funding Periods within a plan.

IMPORTANT - Custom Distribution Based on Percentages

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When distributing Funding Component Amounts based on percentages, PACE automatically rounds amounts. Sometimes, this results in a small remaining balance for the Funding Component Amount. When this happens, it is necessary to manually distribute the small remaining balance to the first Funding Period. This ensures any unused funds rollover into the next Funding Period and prevents PACE showing an error when approving the plan.

Funding for Funding Components that include the following kinds of supports should have 100% of funds available in the first funding period (or the most suitable funding period if not the first):

• Capital items: asset assistive technology (including vehicle modifications) and home modifications
• Funding for repair and maintenance of the capital items above
• Therapy funding associated with capital items only (all other therapy funding distributed throughout the plan)
• Medium term accommodation (all other home and living support distributed throughout the plan)
• HEN products, Continence aids and Low Cost AT (all other consumables distributed throughout the plan)
• Choice and Control set up fees

Example

In a 2-year plan with $7,000 Funding Component Amount for Capacity Building - Improved Daily Living Skills, one option for custom distribution is shown below.

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Quiz 4

There are three questions in this quiz. Answers are not recorded or reported anywhere.

A plan has a 5-year duration and contains the supports listed in the table below.

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Q1. How many Funding Periods are there for Assistance with Social, Economic (support at work) and Community Participation in this plan?

• O One
• O Five
• O Twenty

SUBMIT

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Q2. What amount is distributed to each Funding Period for Assistance with Social, Economic (support at work) and Community Participation in this plan?

• O $1,000
• O $2,500
• O $5,000

SUBMIT

Q3. What amount of funds is distributed to any given Funding Period for SDA?

• O $2,000
• O $6,000
• O $24,000

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SUBMIT

CONTINUE

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Lesson 11 of 12

In summary

You have completed the Section 33 (s33) Funding Periods in PACE - Applying s33 Provisions module.

You can now:

• Define Total Funding Amount, Funding Component Amount and Funding Periods
• Describe the differences between Old Framework and New Framework plans
• Outline the Agency’s long-term implementation plan for additional s33 provisions
• Outline information which is used to inform Plan Duration determinations
• Recognise information which is used to inform Funding Period determinations
• Explain how Funding Periods will be applied in PACE
• Explain how to distribute funds to Funding Periods.

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Feedback Opportunity

Before you finish please consider completing this survey.

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Lesson 12 of 12

Close and exit

Additional resources

• Federal Register of Legislation - National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Getting the NDIS Back on Track No. 1) Act 2024 (external)
• Federal Register of Legislation - National Disability Insurance Scheme (Old Framework Plans) Determination 2024 (external)
• A link to the Plan Duration Matrix and the Funding Periods Matrix can be found here.

You are now ready to start Section 33 (s33) Funding Periods in PACE - Introducing Funding Periods in PACE. Check LEAP regularly and Frontline Reforms Notice.

Exit

Select the Exit button to return to LEAP.

EXIT

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DOCUMENT 12 FOI 24/25 - 2122

Section 33 (s33) Funding Periods in PACE - Adding Funding Periods to Plans

E-LEARNING

This module is designed for Frontline Agency staff who work in planning roles or roles that make, support, advise on, or communicate planning determinations. Staff begin their learning journey by engaging with a Team Leader of Team Member Information Pack, then they complete five eLearning modules. The first three modules introduce PACE enhancements with a focus on Funding Periods. The last two include videos which demonstrate how to complete PACE tasks related to this topic.

It is the third of five modules and two change packs which outline how the Agency is enhancing PACE to enable improved implementation of s33 changes.

SETTING THE SCENE

• Introduction
• Learning Objectives

PLANNING PRACTICES

• Agency Planning Practices

COMBINING AND APPLYING YOUR KNOWLEDGE

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• Jim
• Hannah
• Desley

WRAP-UP

• In summary
• Close and exit

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Lesson 1 of 8

Introduction

First things first

Important information before you begin:

• You’ll need 30 minutes with limited distractions to complete this course.
• To navigate through the module, you can use either a mouse or keyboard.
• To transition between sections of this course you can use the next lesson tab which will appear at the bottom of the screen at the end of the section.

The content in this eLearning module is current as of 13 May 2025.

Alternative instructions for using your keyboard

• Text, Statement, Quote, and List Blocks
  • Use the Up and Down arrow keys to scroll through text.

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• Use the Left and Right arrow keys to flip through quote carousels.
• Select Enter or the spacebar to check and uncheck boxes in checkbox lists.
• Image and Gallery Blocks
  • Use the Left and Right arrow keys to flip through image carousels.
  • To zoom into an image, use Tab or Shift+Tab to select it, then select Enter or the spacebar.
  • To zoom out of an image, select Enter, the spacebar, or Esc.
• Multimedia Blocks
  • For audio and video blocks, press the spacebar to play and pause the media.
  • For a web video, use Tab or Shift+Tab to navigate through the video controls and select Enter to activate each control.
  • For a web page, select Enter to open it in a new browser tab.
  • For an attachment, select Enter to download it.
  • For a code snippet, use the Up and Down arrows to scroll through the text
• Interactive Buttons
  • Use Tab or Shift+Tab to select a button.
  • Select Enter to activate the button.

Further instructions open in a new tab for Keyboard-Accessible Navigation (external).

About this course

This is the third of five modules which outline how the Agency is enhancing PACE to enable improved implementation of s33 changes. It outlines the bigger picture for this change and explores three scenarios which apply and reinforce the main messages for this topic.

CONTINUE

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Lesson 2 of 8

Learning Objectives

At the end of this module, you will be able to:

• Explain how to add Funding Periods when using the Plan Approval case
• Explain how the Plan Change and Participant Budget Update (PBU) cases interact when making changes to Funding Periods in a current plan
• Explain how to make changes to Funding Periods when using the PBU case

Learning Assessment

Throughout this module, you will be engaged in a number of informal assessment activities. The results are not recorded or reported anywhere.

CONTINUE

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Lesson 3 of 8

Agency Planning Practices

Agency planning practices have always been guided by legislation, enabled by systems and delivered by Plan Delegates.

Recently, the Agency has seen significant changes to both legislation and systems.

In October 2024 we saw the introduction of legislative changes that will continue to shape the Scheme for years to come. Prior to that, in October 2023, the Agency introduced a new system (PACE) for managing planning practices.

These changes aim to assist Plan Delegates to build legislatively compliant plans which are individualised for a participant.

Integrating the Changes into Business As Usual

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Image Caption: A person in a work setting

Plan Delegates continue to make determinations about several matters related to plans. Specific examples related to this change include plan duration, budget, support categories and fund

management.

The way Plan Delegates make plan duration determinations is changing. The Agency is returning to longer plan durations and Plan Delegates now need to make determinations about Funding Periods.

Other determinations are made in much the same that they are made now. For example, Plan

Delegates will continue to use the Plan Conversation Support Tool (PCST) to make determinations about budget and support categories.

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Recording Determinations in PACE

Image Caption: A person in a wheelchair at work

Plan Delegates have previously recorded their determinations in PACE cases and this will continue.

Changes have been made to cases which are used to build new plans or make changes to existing plans.

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Plan Approval

Image Caption: A person sitting outside with an assistance dog

All Plan Approval cases include a new Funding Periods tab. This tab displays Funding Components, Funding Periods and distribution of funds. It is populated with information based on Plan Delegate determinations and behind-the-scenes calculations and settings. Two examples are:

• PACE groups Core flexible support categories with the same fund management type into the same Funding Component

• PACE distributes funds with a regular frequency type evenly across all Funding Periods.

Within this tab, Plan Delegates check and sometimes change, the Funding Periods and/or distribution of funds in a plan.

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Plan Variations

Image Caption: A drawing of a clipboard

When a change request is made, staff will continue to use PACE to record requests, decisions and outcomes using an appropriate combination of the Plan Change, PBU and Plan Approval case.

PACE will generate the correct version of the PBU case (with or without Funding Periods) for a plan variation, based on the plan approval date. Plan Delegates will make plan changes, including determinations about Funding Periods.

Plan Delegates must check and sometimes change, the Funding Periods and/or distribution of funds in the PBU case with Funding Periods.

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CONTINUE

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Lesson 4 of 8

Jim

Jim is a new participant. He is 32 years old, has an intellectual disability and lives in his own home.

Plan Duration

Q1. What plan duration determination is recommended for Jim?

(Hint: use the Plan Duration matrix in Frontline Services Tools)

[ ] 1-year plan

[ ] 2-year plan

[ ] 5-year plan

SUBMIT

Setting Budget and Support Categories

The PCST has been completed by adding plan duration determination and budget decisions. It has calculated the Total Funded Amount by support category as shown in the table below. Fund management determinations and other potentially useful information is also recorded in the table.

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Q2. Will this plan include Funding Periods?

[ ] Yes

[ ] No

[ ] I’m not sure. I’d like a hint.

SUBMIT

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Q3. How many Funding Components will PACE allocate in this plan?

[ ] Two (one for flexible and one for stated supports)

[ ] Three (one for both Core Support Types and one each for the Capacity Building Support Types)

[ ] Four (one for each support category)

SUBMIT

Working in PACE

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Q4. Which tab in the Plan Approval case will you use to apply Funding Periods and distribute funds?

[ ] Draft Budget tab

[ ] Funding Periods tab

[ ] Fund Management tab

[X] Review And Finalise tab

Apply Funding Periods

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The Funded Supports and fund management tabs have been updated to reflect funding decisions for Jim. Now Funding Periods must be applied to Jim’s plan.

Q5. What is the recommended Funding Period length for Jim’s Improved Living Arrangements funding?

(Hint: use the Funding Period Decision matrix in Frontline Services Tools)

[ ] 1 month

[ ] 3 months

[ ] 6 months

[ ] 12 months

SUBMIT

Q6. If Jim’s plan included In-kind supports would Funding Periods be applied to those supports?

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[ ] Yes

[ ] No

[ ] I’m not sure. I’d like a hint.

SUBMIT

Distribute Funds to Funding Periods

Q7. How will PACE distribute funds to the Funding Period in Jim’s plan?

• Once-off distribution (100% of funds distributed to the first Funding Period)

• Custom distribution (uneven or varied distribution to each Funding Period using specific amounts or percentages)

• Even distribution (the same amount of funds distributed to each Funding Period)

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SUBMIT

In this scenario you learned:

• From May 2025, all new plans (including reassessments) will use a Plan Approval case which includes Funding Periods.

• From May 2025, Plan Delegates will make plan duration determinations of up to five years.

• Plan duration determinations are guided by the Plan Duration Matrix.

• Funding Period determinations are guided by the Funding Periods Decision Matrix.

• Funding Periods are not applied to In-Kind or Direct Commissioning supports. (These supports are included in the Funded Supports tab but not the Funding Periods tab, because there is no funding allocated to these supports.)

• The enhanced Plan Approval case includes two new tabs: Funding Periods tab and Review and Finalise tab.

• For Funding Components with regular frequency type, PACE distributes funds evenly to all Funding Periods in a plan.

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CONTINUE

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Lesson 5 of 8

Hannah

Hannah is 51 years old, has Huntington’s disease and lives at home with her partner. She has a three year plan.

Here is a high-level summary of Hannah’s plan approved on 15th April, 2024.

Q1. Does Hannah’s current plan include Funding Periods?

[ ] Yes

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[ ] No

[ ] I’m not sure, I’d like a hint.

First Plan Change Request

In February 2025 Hannah requested a change to fund management for Assistance with Daily Life. She wanted to self-manage so that she could use the same provider that she has for other services. The Agency approved these changes on 19 February 2025.

Q2. Which cases were used to make this change?

(Hint: more than one answer is correct.)

[ ] Plan Approval

[ ] Plan Change

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[ ] Participant Budget Update (PBU)

SUBMIT

Q3. Will the PBU that PACE generates include Funding Periods?

[ ] Yes

[ ] No

[ ] I’m not sure I’d like a hint.

Second Plan Change Request

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In August 2025 Hannah contacts the Agency again. Her needs have changed significantly because of her condition and following a Home and Living decision, she is eligible and ready to move into Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA). Her individual supports also need to be reassessed.

Q4. Which case in PACE will be used to process the changes to Hannah’s plan? (Hint: more than one answer may be correct.)

[ ] Plan Approval case

[ ] Plan Change case

[ ] PBU case

SUBMIT

Q5. Will Hannah’s new plan include Funding Periods?

[ ] Yes

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[ ] No

[ ] I’m not sure, I’d like a hint.

Hannah’s New Plan

Hannah’s new plan is being approved in August, 2025.

Q6. What plan duration determination is recommended for Hannah?

(Hint: use the Plan Duration Matrix in Frontline Services Tools )

[ ] 1-year plan

[ ] 2-year plan

[ ] 5-year plan

SUBMIT

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The PCST has been completed by adding plan duration determination and budget decisions. It has calculated the Total Funded Amount by support category as shown in the table below. Fund management determinations and other potentially useful information is also recorded in the table. Changes to the plan are indicated with purple notes.

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Building Living Skills managed

Q7. What is the recommended Funding Period for SDA? (Hint: use the Funding Periods Decision Matrix in Frontline Services Tools)

[ ] 1-month

[ ] 3-months

[ ] 6-12 months

SUBMIT

Q8. How will PACE distribute funding for the Funding Components in this plan?

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[ ] Evenly

[ ] Once-off

[ ] Custom

SUBMIT

In this scenario you learned:

• For plans approved before 9 October 2024 Funding Periods do not apply.

• For plans approved before 9 October 2024 Plan Change case steps do not change.

• A PBU without Funding Periods will be generated for plans with an approval date before 9 October 2024.

• Plan duration determinations are guided by the Plan Duration Matrix.

• Funding Period determinations are guided by the Funding Periods Decision Matrix.

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PACE distributes funds evenly for Funding Components with regular frequency type.

CONTINUE

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Lesson 6 of 8

Desley

Desley has been a participant for eight years. She is 45 and lives at home with her husband. She has above knee double amputations.

Desley’s current plan was approved on 30 May, 2025. It is 5-years duration and the Agency recommended 3- month Funding Periods have been applied to all supports. The following table provides a high level view of her plan.

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Plan Change Request on 15 July 2025

Desley contacts the Agency on 15 July 2025 to discuss changing her plan. She talks about:

• Changing Core funding to monthly Funding Periods to help manage her budget.

• Changing Capacity Building supports to be plan-managed to enable more flexibility with providers.

• An assessment and quote that she has for a new prosthesis.

A Plan Change case has been submitted and the changes are Reasonable and Necessary.

Q1. What are the next actions to take to make the requested changes to Desley’s current plan?

[ ] Approve a plan reassessment and use the PA case

[ ] Approve a plan variation and use the PBU case

[ ] I’m not sure, I’d like a hint.

SUBMIT

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Q2. Can the Agency consider Desley’s request for 1-month Funding Periods for Core funding?

[ ] Yes

[ ] No

SUBMIT

Q3. If Desley wishes to change the budget type for her Core Stated supports to Core flexible can this action be completed using the PBU case?

[ ] Yes

[ ] No

SUBMIT

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Q4. If Desley requests removal of her Core Consumables support category, can this action be completed using the PBU case?

[ ] Yes

[ ] No

SUBMIT

Q5. Desley’s request for a new prosthesis is Reasonable and Necessary (R&N) and funds are to be added to her current plan. How will PACE distribute funds to Funding Periods for this Assistive Technology?

• Even distribution (the same amount of funds distributed to each Funding Period).

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• Once-off distribution (100% of funds distributed to the first relevant funding period).

• Customise distribution (uneven or varied distribution to each Funding Period using specific amounts or percentages, e.g. 50% in the first funding period and the remaining funding equally distributed).

SUBMIT

The following table maps the Funding Periods for Desley’s current plan, which was approved on 30th May, 2025. Remember, Desley has contacted the agency on 15 July 2025.

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Q6. Desley’s Assistive Technology (AT) is to be approved and added to her plan. If the funds are required in 4 months time, which Funding Period could they be distributed to?

[ ] Funding Period 2

[ ] Funding Period 3

[ ] Funding Period 4

SUBMIT

In this scenario you learned:

• From May 2025, PACE will automatically generate the required version of the PBU case for a plan variation, based on the plan approval date. A PBU without Funding Periods will be generated for plans with an approval date before 9 October 2024. This PBU will not include a Funding Periods tab. A PBU with Funding Periods will be generated for plan with an approval date on or after 9 October 2024. This PBU will include a Funding Periods tab.

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The Funding Periods Decision Matrix is based on the 10 key factors outlined in section 7(2)(a-j) of the NDIS (Old Framework Plans) Determination 2024. Plan Delegates should use this matrix to guide Funding Period determinations.

The PBU case with Funding Periods is used to make the following variations:

• Change Fund Management determinations at the Funding Component Amount level

• Change future Funding Periods

• Reduce funding for future Funding Periods

• Add funding to current and future Funding Periods

• Add new support categories.

PACE uses Once-off distribution for Assistive Technology funds.

Plan Delegates may adjust the distribution of funds within a plan to suit a participant’s needs. The custom distribution function is used to do this.

CONTINUE

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Lesson 7 of 8

In summary

You have completed the s33 Funding Periods in PACE - Adding Funding Periods to Plans module.

You can now:

• Explain how to add Funding Periods when using the Plan Approval case

• Explain how the Plan Change and PBU cases interact when making changes to Funding Periods in a plan

• Explain how to make changes to Funding Periods when using the PBU case

Feedback Opportunity

Before you finish please consider completing this survey

CONTINUE

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Lesson 8 of 8

Close and exit

Additional resources

• Federal Register of Legislation - National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Getting the NDIS Back on Track No. 1) Act 2024 (external)

• Federal Register of Legislation - National Disability Insurance Scheme (Old Framework Plans) Determination 2024 (external)

Congratulations

You have now completed this course. Select the Exit button to return to LEAP

EXIT

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