DOCUMENT 1
FOI 25/26-2159
From: redacted: s47F - personal privacy Lloyd <Lloyd.redacted: s47F - personal privacy@ndis.gov.au> On Behalf Of redacted: s47E(d) - certain operations of agencies
Sent: Thursday, 17 October 2024 11:19 AM
To: PRICING redacted: s47E(d) - certain operations of agencies
Cc: redacted: s47F - personal Ebony <Ebony.redacted: s47F - personal@ndis.gov.au>; ASSISTIVE.TECH redacted: s47E(d) - certain operations of agencies; redacted: s47F - personal, Sean <Sean.redacted: s47F - personal@ndis.gov.au>
Subject: RE: Assistance Dog (Including Guide Dog) Ongoing Costs [SEC=OFFICIAL]
Sorry for the delay in responding Andrew.
The code provided to assist with Assistance Dog Ongoing Costs was set with a budget in 2017 based on typical costs for a working dog identified by the ASIC/Moneysmart. It has been indexed each year since that time and is currently around $2,800 per year. This is made available currently with the monthly amount. I note that the Moneysmart site shows the cost now is around $3250 (Getting a pet - Moneysmart.gov.au).
This suggests Pricing Team may need to liaise with Vision Australia & other providers to test if:
- The annual amount allocated is not representative of the reasonable maintenance costs (food, vet, worm/vaccination) of a working dog
And/or
- That the funds need to be available in larger amounts than the $238 or so per month.
redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant material
The team working on the Dog Guide Provider List (Ebony redacted: s47F - personal) may be able to link into relevant dog guide providers.
Kind regards, Lloyd
Dr Lloyd redacted: s47F - personal privacy (he/him)
Director, Assistive Technology Market Policy & Innovation
Market Innovation Branch, NDIA
(Physical – NDIA Office, Maude St, Maroochydore, Qld)
T redacted: s47F - personal privacy M redacted: s47F - personal privacy E Lloyd.redacted: s47F - personal privacy@ndis.gov.au