National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Getting the NDIS Back on Track No. 1) Bill 2024

Submission 9

To the Committee Chair and Members

          is covered by the NDIS and has a psychosocial disability.

I am concerned that the Bill does not adequately address the needs of people with a psychosocial disability.

The following are some of my concerns:

Co-design is not required: The Bill now requires the Minister to consider co-design principles, but it doesn’t make this a legal requirement.
Does not take a Whole of Person Approach: The Bill may not fully account for people with multiple and interrelated disabilities, which could lead to inadequate support.
Unclear review and appeal rights: The Bill lacks a clear way to appeal or replace your needs assessment.
Broad powers to require assessments: The Bill provides the NDIA with broad powers to require medical assessments, which could be difficult to obtain.
Limits on Support and Spending: The Bill gives the NDIA a lot of power to control how participants use their funding, reducing participant choice and control.
Punitive measures: The Bill gives the NDIA new powers to change how participants’ plans are managed and raise debts if they decide funding has been misused.

I believe the broader consultation is needed with participants who have a psychosocial disability and their advocates.

Yours sincerely

David Tomkins