PROC-4807- CONTRACT EXECUTION – UNIVERSITY OF MELBOURNE | FOI document library

FOI 25/26-1580

DOCUMENT 4

OFFICIAL

CHIEF EXECUTIVE BRIEF

Required Action: For execution Critical Date: 27 August 2025

PDR: EC25-0003550 Div: COO

PROC-4807- CONTRACT EXECUTION – UNIVERSITY OF MELBOURNE

1. Purpose

1.1. To execute a contract with University of Melbourne

2. Background

2.1. On 14 August 2025, you approved the establishment of a contract with Melbourne University for the provision of support needs assessment tool(s) related operational services and an integration system (EC25-003464 refers).

2.2. The contract has been finalised, is signed by the University of Melbourne, and is ready for execution.

2.3. redacted: s42 - legal professional privilege, s47G - business information

2.4. redacted

2.5. redacted

2.6. redacted

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The contract with the consortium includes services to support implementation of the tool in NDIA operations, including a workforce training and assessor accreditation model, as well as services to monitor, modify and continuously improve the tool during implementation.
The ICAN v6 will be used alongside other questionnaires and assessments to form the future NDIS needs assessment, which will be agreed through the Category A rule-making process with states and territories.
This is a significant milestone in implementing legislative reform and New Framework Planning, which will attract interest and scrutiny from NDIS stakeholders.

That the Minister provide a decision on either of the proposed options for announcing the tool to the public:

A Ministerial announcement; or

NDIA announcement

Key Issues:

From February 2025 the NDIA conducted a competitive Request for Tender process to select needs assessment tools for adults. The procurement panel included redacted: s47F - personal privacy
A contract has been executed with a consortium comprised of the University of Melbourne and the Centre for Disability Services (an affiliate of the University of Sydney). The contract provides for:

a. A perpetual enterprise licence for the NDIA (and representatives of the NDIA) to administer the I-CAN v6.

b. The provision of a range of operationalisation support services, including workforce training and accreditation programs, administration support materials.

c. Data analytics and quality assurance activities, and modifications to the tool to tailor the assessment approach to NDIS cohorts and purposes.
redacted: s47C - deliberative processes, s47E(d) - certain operations of agencies
The I-CAN v6 will be the core component of the future NDIS needs assessment for adult (16+) participants and will be used alongside a supplementary personal and environmental circumstances questionnaire, as well as additional assessment modules for participants requirement complex product-based supports such as high-cost assistive technology and home modifications.
The conclusion of this procurement enables a range of operationalisation activities to progress, including finalisation of other elements of the NDIS needs assessment for adults, the development of the budget method, workforce recruitment, training and accreditation, service design and ICT system transformation, etc.

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The training and accreditation programs purchased under the contract provide flexibility for the I-CAN v6 to be administered by assessors who are not qualified allied health professionals. However, a range of workforce and implementation decisions are required, including assessment modalities (i.e. proportion of assessments conducted face-to-face), which the NDIA and DHDA will engage you on through the MYEFO process.
The NDIA engaged the disability community on the scope of this procurement through the Disability Representative and Carer Organisations Forum and the NDIA’s co-design working groups. The announcement of this tool will attract significant interest and scrutiny. The communications plan provided at Attachment A may be adapted to support either a Ministerial or NDIA announcement.

Background:

In August 2024, the NDIS Amendment (Getting the NDIS Back on Track No. 1) Act, passed the Commonwealth Parliament. The Bill enables the creation of legislative instruments which give effect to new framework planning, which includes a new assessment and budgeting method.
On 5 February 2025, the NDIA released a Request for Tender on AusTender in relation to adult needs assessment tools. redacted: s47G - business information
The procurement panel included representatives from redacted: s47F - personal privacy
The evaluation process was completed on 17 June 2025 and recommended that the NDIA enter into negotiations with the University of Melbourne to determine whether a value for money outcome could be achieved.
Contract negotiations took place between 2 July and 27 August, when the contract was executed. Unsuccessful tenderers have been notified.
The NDIA engaged Clayton Utz as external probity advisor, who provided confirmation that the procurement complied with the Commonwealth Procurement Rules and other relevant Commonwealth procurement policies.

Media considerations:

The announcement of the tool will attract interest from media and stakeholders in the disability community. Potential criticism may relate to the type of tool selected, the timeframes for transition to New Framework Planning and limited opportunities for sector consultation. For example, Exclusive: ‘Catastrophic errors’ seen in rushed NDIS reform | The Saturday Paper

Sensitivities:

redacted: s47F - personal privacy, s47G - business information

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Financial Impacts:

N/A

External Consultation:

The consortium will be asked to provide input into the media release, either as an NDIA or Ministerial announcement.

Regulatory Implications:

The needs assessment tool is integral to the roll out of new framework planning under the NDIS Act and will need to be specified in NDIS Rules.

Attachments:

A: Communications Plan

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