Capability and Culture of the NDIA

Submission 133

Trim D22/3192339

16 December 2022

Joint Standing Committee on the National Disability Insurance Scheme PO Box 6100 Parliament House Canberra ACT 2600

Sent via email: ndis.joint@aph.gov.au

deal Joint Standing Committee

Re: Inquiry into the Capability and Culture of the National Disability Insurance Agency

Thank you for the opportunity to provide input into the inquiry into the capability and culture of the National Disability Insurance Agency.

The Disability Council NSW (the ‘Council’) is a statutory body that provides independent advice to the Minister for Disability Services on matters that affect people with disability in NSW, as well as their families and carers.

Many of the Council members have personal experience with the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) or have close connections with people who are supported through the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). In relation to this inquiry, there are several key issues the Council would like to raise.

Complex and time intensive processes

Interacting with the NDIA is both complicated and time intensive. Parents of children with disability, in particular, report the process is extremely stressful and detracts from time that could be spent with family and supporting their child with disability.

It is also stressful for people without the knowledge and/or expertise to easily navigate the NDIS. For this reason, it is essential that all correspondence is fully accessible and not long and complex as is currently the case.

NDIA Planners and Plans

NDIA planners are not currently required to have qualifications in disability. In order to streamline processes and promote consistent decision making, we would strongly

Capability and Culture of the NDIA Submission 133