GPO Box 700 Canberra ACT 2601 1800 800 110
ndis.gov.au
Ms Bonnie Allen Committee Secretary Joint Standing Committee on the National Disability Insurance Scheme
By email c/o ndis.sen@aph.gov.au
Dear Ms Allen
The NDIA would like to address recent claims made by People with Disability Australia in a media release and associated submission to the Joint Standing Committee regarding reporting of Scheme sustainability. The submission has been published on the People with Disability website.
While the NDIA fully respects and encourages public discussion of the NDIS, it is critically important that information placed on the public record is accurate and, ideally, constructive. It is incorrect to suggest that any information related to the Scheme’s financial modelling has not been released as the Scheme Actuary ‘no longer works directly for the NDIA’.
The NDIS Scheme Actuary is the longest serving member of the Agency’s senior executive team. The Actuary was engaged close to 8 years ago via a contract arrangement approved by the then NDIA CEO and NDIA Board, chaired by Bruce Bonyhady. That arrangement continues today.
All the work of the Scheme Actuary is the property of the NDIA, is regularly peer-reviewed, and is subject to the protections and obligations afforded by the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (the FOI Act).
Decisions on the release of information in response to FOI requests received by the Agency are made solely in accordance with the FOI Act.
The NDIA’s commitment to transparency is demonstrated through regular and open reporting on the Scheme’s financial sustainability – including through publication of the 2021 AFSR in full, NDIS Annual Reports and Quarterly Reports, recent monthly financial snapshots, and the multiple in-depth analyses available on data.ndis.gov.au.
The 2021 AFSR document, released in full, was 124 pages setting out in detail the model structure, assumptions and outcomes. This is in addition to the more than 600 pages of statistical analysis released every quarter. The NDIA has recently engaged with Disability Representative and Carer Organisations to discuss Scheme sustainability including direct briefings on the AFSR.
These briefings provided an important opportunity for attendees to receive further information, ask questions of the Scheme Actuary, explore specific themes or topics relating to the report findings, and request further information and analyses. Representatives from PWDA were invited to attend to take part in these critical discussions.
These briefings will soon be followed by a series of small group discussions with representatives from Disability and Carer Organisations who will have the opportunity to deepen their understanding of the financial health of the NDIS and the assumptions and methodologies that underpin financial forecasts.
The NDIA is also working with the Department of Social Services and State and Territory Governments on further analysis of the cost drivers and underpinning assumptions in the Annual Financial Sustainability Report ahead of the next Disability Reform Minister’s Meeting.
The NDIA values the contribution of disability organisations at these workshops and discussions, as we work together to ensure the Scheme’s future.
Yours sincerely
Martin Hoffman Chief Executive Officer National Disability Insurance Agency
3 November 2021