Carly Dober
Melbourne, Australia
Enriching Lives Psychology Founder & Principal Psychologist
18/08/2023
Urgent Inquiry into Non-Evidence Based Supports and Psychologist Funding Cuts within the NDIS
Dear Parliamentary Committee into the NDIS,
I am writing this submission to respectfully request your immediate attention and action regarding a matter that is of importance to the disability community in Australia. It pertains to the evident issues surrounding the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), specifically the widespread practice of cutting non-evidence-based supports from NDIS participants’ plans. This practice, coupled with the lack of consistency in Local Area Coordinators (LACs) decision-making, the undue reliance on Medicare Better Access for complex mental health which is already stressed, and the unregulated involvement of non-specialised coaches, poses a significant threat to the well-being and functional capacity of participants.
The indiscriminate reduction or elimination of essential supports from NDIS participants’ plans has grave implications for their progress towards independence and functional improvement. This approach places vulnerable individuals at risk by denying them the specialised and evidence-based interventions necessary for their well-being. Furthermore, the inconsistent decisions made by inadequately trained LACs in the field of mental health exacerbates the issue, as their lack of expertise often leads to uninformed and potentially harmful choices.
Of particular concern is the NDIS’s push for participants to seek support through Medicare Better Access, which, due to its funding limitations and session caps, is unsuitable for addressing the complex mental health needs of many participants. This financially driven approach sacrifices the long-term well-being of individuals and may ultimately result in increased costs through avoidable crises and setbacks.
Of equal concern is the unregulated involvement of coaches and recovery coaches who lack specialised training in mental health. Allowing these individuals to assume roles typically reserved for qualified psychologists’ places participants at unnecessary risk, potentially leading to worsened conditions and greater financial burdens on the NDIS in the long run.
The increasing trend of cutting funding for psychologists within the NDIS is deeply concerning. All psychologists, regardless of their area of endorsement, are trained to diagnose and treat psychological conditions. The NDIS’s rejection of diagnoses from general psychologists, in favour of clinical psychologists, demonstrates a lack of understanding of
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the comprehensive education and training that all psychologists undergo. This practice creates barriers to essential support and increases costs by delaying or denying vital interventions.
I implore the NDIS to acknowledge and trust the clinical judgment of psychologists across all endorsements. Their expertise is instrumental in addressing the diverse needs of participants and ensuring their well-being and functional improvement. Rejecting diagnoses from qualified psychologists undermines the very foundation of the NDIS’s commitment to providing evidence-based and person-cantered support.
Please launch a comprehensive parliamentary inquiry into these pressing issues. The current practices of cutting non-evidence-based supports, relying on unsuitable Medicare avenues, and dismissing qualified psychologists’ diagnoses are putting NDIS participants at risk, hindering their path to independence, and undermining their functional progress. It is imperative that the NDIS promptly rectifies these practices to uphold its core principles and ensure the well-being of the disability community.
Thank you for your time, consideration, and dedication to addressing these critical concerns. I eagerly await your response and hope for a swift and effective resolution.
Kind regards,
Carly Dober Psychologist