1. The National Disability Insurance Scheme
Scheme overview, implementation and transition management
David Bowen
CEO
National Disability Insurance Agency
September 2013

2. The NDIS is a new way of delivering disability support
Supports tailored to individual needs
Insurance approach for more stable long term costs and better outcomes
Choice and control is central
Demand-driven rather than rationed funding
Delivered in local community
Working towards national coverage

3. Principles and objects of the NDIS Act 2013 underpin delivery
Give effect to the obligations under the CRPD and certain obligations in other conventions
Support independence and social and economic participation – not passive
Provide reasonable and necessary supports, including early intervention
Enable people to exercise choice and control in pursuit of their goals, and in the planning and delivery of their supports
Facilitate a nationally consistent approach to the access, planning and funding of supports
Promote the provision of high quality and innovative supports to maximise independent lifestyles and full inclusion in the community
Raise community awareness of the issues that affect social inclusion
Evidence base is critical
Principles expand on the objects for implementation and to guide administration.

4. Taking an insurance approach provides benefits
Risks are pooled and recognise the unpredictable nature of disability – new Levy refers
Supports relate to the individual
Risk approach that allows higher short term costs given longer term benefits
Prudential governance approach focusing management on cost trends
Enables planning to encompass positive outcomes for the individual – such as early intervention, outcome planning, links to community
Strong and transparent accountability
Section 180 of the legislation goes to the appointment and duties of the Scheme Actuary including:
Assessing the sustainability of the Scheme
Risks of the Scheme and causes
Any trends in the provision of supports and drivers
Estimate future expenditure and provide a report on the consideration and estimation
Estimates must be done at least once per quarter.
The actuary provides advice to Board or CEO as requested and bring matters of concern to the Board.

5. The scheme was launched on 1 July
On 1 July 2013, the first stage of the NDIS commenced
For cohorts in South Australia, Tasmania
The Hunter in NSW and
The Barwon area in Victoria
From July 2014
The whole of the ACT, the Barkly area of NT and Midland, Kalamunda and Mundaring in WA. Plus two My Way sites also in WA.
Started in July 2013:
New South Wales—Support for people living in the local government areas of Newcastle, Maitland and Lake Macquarie.
By July 2016, about 10,000 Hunter region residents with a permanent and significant disability will be covered by the scheme.
By July 2018, all NSW residents with permanent and significant disability—around 140,000 people—will be supported by the scheme.
Victoria—Support for Barwon area residents; that’s people living in the local government areas of City of Greater Geelong, the Colac-Otway Shire, the Borough of Queenscliffe and the Surf Coast Shire.
By July 2016, all Barwon area residents with significant and permanent disability—around 5,000 people—will progressively access the scheme.
By July 2019, all Victorian residents with permanent and significant disability—around 100,000 people—will be supported by the scheme.
South Australia—Support for children, with the first year to focus on children aged birth to five years with significant and permanent disability or who would benefit from early intervention. Around 5,000 children are expected to benefit from the first stage of the scheme.
From July 2014, the age limit will be extended to 13 years and in the third year of launch all children up to 14 years.
By July 2018, all South Australian residents with permanent and significant disability—around 33,000 people—will be supported by the scheme.
Tasmania—Support and improved services for young people aged 15 to 24 years.
By July 2018, all Tasmanian residents with permanent and significant disability—around 11,000 people—will be supported by the scheme.
Starting from July 2014:
Australian Capital Territory—Support for eligible people between the ages of 15 and 24 years.
By July 2019, all ACT residents with permanent and significant disability—around 5,000 people—will be supported by the scheme.
Northern Territory—Support for people in the Barkly region.
Western Australia - Pilot will involve about 4,000 people in the Perth Hills area of Kalamunda, Mundaring and Swan from July 2014.
Starting from July 2016:
Queensland—Support for people in Queensland.
By July 2019, all Queensland residents with permanent and significant disability—around 97,000 people—will be supported by the scheme.
Importantly, all jurisdictions except for WA have now committed to a full scheme roll out.

6. The pathway is clear and simple

7. Determining Access to the Scheme
Age
Residency
People with disability who meet the access requirements will become participants in the Scheme
The Scheme has a wide gateway to introduce people through multiple channels and touch points
People can use MyAccess Checker to get an indication about whether they will be able to access assistance from the Scheme
Gradual intake of participants into the scheme, starting with people in launch locations
Disability
Early intervention

8. Note – questions are prompts and are used to guide conversation
Structure of planning and assessment conversation
Training and procedures provide structured approach to planning building on participant statement
Assessment tool provides screening questions to identify whether person has limitations in:
Mobility
Self-care (includes Special Health Care Needs)
Domestic Life
Communication
General Tasks and Demands
Learning and Applying Knowledge
Interpersonal interactions and Relationships
Community, Social and Civic Life
Education
Employment PLUS
Note – questions are prompts and are used to guide conversation
If limitations ask further questions in relevant domains
If limitations ask further questions in relevant domains
Consolidate information back into Participant record and resolve support needs with Participant
Draws on existing assessment information
- If insufficient then
Support Needs for Sustaining Informal Care
Assistive Technology
Risk Assessment

9. Developing the Statement of Supports takes into account
Sustainable informal care
Records informal care that will be provided
Talk with the family about sustainable arrangements into the future.
Reasonable expectations of care by family
Optimise mainstream supports
Not funded by NDIS
Plan records nature, referral and support to access to be provided
NDIS will not provide supports that should be provided in mainstream
Are general supports needed
Are services to be provided by the Agency e.g.
Provision of information
Local area co-ordination to assist person to access mainstream or other community services
Identify the Reasonable and Necessary Supports
Provides funding for support reasonable and necessary to achieve goals in participant statement
Assist independence, social and economic participation
Are effective or beneficial for the participant, having regard to current good practice

10. Reassess risk or vulnerabilities – ensure safeguards are in plan
Statement of supports contains:
Fixed supports
Early intervention and investment supports are fixed in the plan, as are “in-kind’ supports
These items aim to ensure over long term, the desired outcomes for participants are maximised.
Funding for these items cannot be used for other items.
Examples include:
Early childhood and early interventions
Assistive technology to support independence
Flexible Supports
Flexibility allows the participant to purchase more or less to best meet their needs over life of plan.
Flexibility is to be
within total $ value of flexible items in plan
within limits set for each item (all items have a default level of flexibility but this may be altered to suit each participant’s need)
less flexibility may be put on items that are higher risk or for participants that are vulnerable
Check reference package
Check Life Time Cost Estimator
Delegations for approvals
Resolve plan management with participant and include necessary assistance in plan
Reassess risk or vulnerabilities – ensure safeguards are in plan

11. Management of funding for supports to be resolved with Participant
Self management
(by participant or nominee)
Agency Management
NDIA
Plan Management Provider
The type of funds management that the participant chooses can vary depending on their circumstances.
Different options can be chosen for different supports.
Plans may have a combination of the options as shown.
Agency can limit self management where financial or personal risk.

12. Request to self-manage the funding for supports
The participant should be able to manage his or her plan to the extent he or she wishes to do so unless there are grounds for the participant not to self-manage.
Grounds to refuse a self-management request
Participant or nominee is insolvent under administration
The support is prescribed by the NDIS Rules as being matters not managed by a participant
Where delegate (of CEO) is satisfied management of the plan presents an unreasonable risk to the participant

13. Old New program 1 Government agencies contracts program 2 program 3
funding & reporting
contracts
service delivery
program 1
program 2
program 3
participant
Government agencies
Capped funding Limited choice Limited control
Old
National Disability Insurance Agency
service delivery & payment
Plan & budget
payment
New
support
participant 13
Individualised funding Choice and control Supports not programs

14. Logical next steps for Scheme implementation in WA
WA and Commonwealth continue progress with NDA (2012) reforms.
Jurisdictions to work with community and providers to raise awareness and readiness.
Build individual capacity for engagement on goals and choice and control
Draw on better practice resources as they become available form Scheme
Agency has commenced WA readiness
Requires an agreed Bilateral approach covering identified areas by November 2013.
Staff will commence in November with community engagement.

15. What the NDIA brings to the partnership
National capability with local decision making and responsiveness
Systems and processes that have been tested in launch with strategic investment plan for full scheme enhancements
Existing capability that now underwrites future growth
Strong community engagement approach
Strong engagement with sector
Growing research capability

16. Engagement activity has helped prepare people and communities
From January 2013 over 800 events were attended/organised by Agency
Included public forums, formal presentations, smaller targeted sessions for people with disability and providers
Engagement activity focused on preparing people and providers for launch
Additional engagement conducted by Alliance (Carers Australia, National Disability Services and AFDO) to inform design and improve readiness
“Your Say” online forum used extensively on design, legislation and rules
DisabilityCare Australia website activated on 4 June ahead of national advertising campaign
Facebook and Twitter live

17. Strategic Issues for Agency to progress in 2013/14
Operationalising choice and control in restricted environments – such as institutions.
National strategy for aids and appliances
Housing strategy
Refinement of approach to mental health for those that need a funded package
National framework for quality and safeguards
Industry workforce – projected need for 65,000 FTE or 130,000 individuals when fully implemented
Developing effective interfaces with mainstream such as employment