National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Getting the NDIS Back on Track No. 1) Bill 2024
Submission 69
Dementia~“le Australia•’ft”
Endeavour House, Level 3, 2-10 Captain Cook Crescent, Griffith, ACT 2603 PO Box 3021, Manuka, ACT 2603 Tel (02) 6255 0722 Email admin@dementia.org.au
12 July 2024 dementia.org.au
Community Affairs Legislation Committee
Re: National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Getting the NDIS Back on Track No. Track No. 1) Bill 2024
Dear Committee members,
Dementia Australia welcomes the opportunity to provide additional feedback to the Community Affairs Legislation Committee on the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) Amendment Bill 2024.
I refer you to our previous submission to the inquiry (submission 97) and reiterate the importance of addressing the following key issues for people living with younger onset dementia, their families and carers.
- There are concerns about the lack of detail on what the functional assessment tools will consist of and whether they will be appropriate for people living with younger onset dementia. The assessment process needs to be comprehensive, but more importantly, sensitive and appropriate to identify the particular and progressive needs of people living with younger onset dementia.
- Assessment processes and plan reviews must be evidence-based and timely to accommodate the increasing support needs of people living with younger onset dementia.
- Flexible reassessment schedules and budget rollover provisions are required to ensure that people living with dementia and their families can plan for the longer term without risk of losing their funding.
- Assessors must have appropriate skills and knowledge to understand progressive disabilities and the increasing support needs of people living with younger onset dementia.
- Anecdotal evidence suggests that only a small proportion of people living with younger onset dementia are receiving NDIS supports. Reforms must address the current inconsistencies experienced in accessing the scheme and in the development of plans to ensure equitable support for people living with younger onset dementia.
Dementia Australia National Dementia Helpline ABN 79 625 582 771 1800100 500
National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Getting the NDIS Back on Track No. 1) Bill 2024
Submission 69
-. Dementia
, Australia·
- Foundational supports need to be developed to meet the support needs of people living with younger onset dementia who may not yet be eligible for a NDIS plan.
Until the Rules are released, it is difficult to determine exactly how and the extent to which the proposed changes will impact the support and care people living with younger onset dementia, their families and carers received through the NDIS. Dementia Australia advocates for an inclusive and empowering co-design approach with people who have lived experience to ensure that the development and implementation of the Rules genuinely reflect the needs of the dementia community and ensures choice and control for people living with younger onset dementia, their families and carers. We look forward to facilitating the involvement of people impacted by dementia in the co-design processes to ensure NDIS reforms are responsive to their changing needs.
Dementia Australia welcomes opportunities for further engagement with the Committee. The Dementia Australia Policy team can be contacted via email at policyteam@dementia.org.au
Sincerely,
Dr Kaele Stokes
Executive Director Services, Advocacy and Research
Dementia & Alzheimer’s Australia Ltd. National Dementia Helpline ABN 79 625 582 771 1800100 500© Dementia Australia