Melvyn Pyster’s Post

Late last week the disability sector raised the alarm of NDIS market failure. Disability Intermediaries Australia has joined with National Disability Services, The CEO Collab, and Allied Health Professions Australia (AHPA) as calling on the Australian Government and the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) to take urgent and immediate action to ensure services for people with disability can continue, as evidence mounts of a catastrophic market failure in the NDIS. DIA CEO Mr Jess Harper has expressed the ongoing detrimental impact and financial stress that the NDIA's pricing decision is having, saying: “The NDIA’s Pricing decision is simply indefensible. Keeping price limits fixed for half a decade despite inflation, award wage increases, and operating cost pressures is irresponsible and reckless. This pricing decision has already resulted in the closures of safe, quality, and skilled service providers." #NDIS #auspol #SupportCoordination #NDISProvider Bill Shorten Kurt Fearnley Graeme Innes AM Maryanne Diamond AO GAICD Peta Seaton AM Leah van Poppel Dr. Richard Fejo David Gifford Michael Sukkar Jordon Steele-John Read the full statement below: https://lnkd.in/gYytApT3 Rick Morton Sarah Ison Sarah Basford Canales Tom Burton Julie Cross

🌟 Upcoming Changes Ahead for Disability in the 2024 Federal Budget 🌟 Get ready for some major updates and important shifts for the disability community, especially regarding the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). Here's a breakdown of what to expect: 🔹 NDIS 'Growth Moderation': - The budget outlines a significant $14.4 billion offset in NDIS payments over the next four years through 'growth moderation'. - Minister Bill Shorten emphasises the importance of needs-based assessments and community involvement to ensure sustainable support. 🔹 Employment Program Overhaul: - A new specialist disability employment program aims to tackle the high unemployment rate among people with disability. - The revamped program seeks to shift the culture in employment services and provide better support for job seekers. 🔹 Key Takeaways and Concerns: - While the budget introduces promising changes, there are concerns about potential impacts on support services and employment opportunities for people with disability. - Advocates emphasise the need for ongoing community engagement and support to address these challenges. Stay tuned for more updates and insights into the evolving landscape of disability support in Australia! 🔊 📰 #NDIS #DisabilityEmployment #FederalBudget2024

‼️DIA joins disability provider peaks in Joint Statement: Pricing for a Sustainable Quality Driven Sector‼️ Disability Intermediaries Australia joins disability peak bodies (Ability First Australia, Allied Health Professions Australia, Alliance20 and National Disability Services) to call on the National Disability Insurance Agency to urgently increase pricing across the sector. The 2023-24 Annual Pricing Review comes at a critical time for #NDIS participants and providers. The provider sector is as diverse as the people with disability it supports. As sector peak bodies, our members are large and small, registered and unregistered, delivering services across all of Australia, or in their local communities. They provide essential supports that people with disability rely on every day, to remain healthy and actively participate in their communities. However, providers of quality and responsive services are at breaking point. Providers are reporting their worst financial year ever. More organisations are running a deficit and far fewer are breaking even. More providers are concerned that they will not be able to provide support at current NDIS prices. We call on the NDIA and government to take urgent and immediate action to increase pricing across the sector. The 2023-24 Annual Pricing Review is an opportunity to establish prices that ensure security and continuity of supports for participants, incentivise quality and link to the objectives of the NDIS. Wage increases and CPI along with overhead costs such as workers compensation and general insurance, non-billable training and costs of compliance for registered providers must all be recognised. Five key actions we are urging the NDIA and Government to take: 1️⃣ Pricing must support sector sustainability 👉 Action: CPI and Wage inflation must be pass on in full across all supports. 2️⃣ Pricing must send a message to providers to stay the course and invest in the future 👉Action: Increase prices across disability support worker, therapy and intermediary supports by at least 10%. Further, Intermediary providers should receive an additional increase to ensure continuity of support while government are considering the wide-reaching recommendations made by the NDIS Review 3️⃣ Pricing must drive quality not just numbers 4️⃣ A new approach to pricing is needed 5️⃣ The sector needs support to respond to the multiple reforms expected over the next five years Read the full statement and actions on our website including quote from DIA CEO Mr Jess Harper 👇 #SupportCoordination #PlanManagement #NDISProviders https://lnkd.in/gXzCA55i

📰 Recent news about the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) talks about how people with disability have to some make tough decisions. Some say using unregistered providers for support could be dangerous. They also suggest that some participants, like those with a criminal history, might be risky for support workers.   However, studies show that having choices doesn't mean sacrificing safety when it comes to disability support. This is important as we look at recommendations from the NDIS review, which emphasises using evidence-based practices.   ➕ The attached article talks about how instead of limiting choices, we should focus on:   ·       Making it easier to report issues ·       Providing clear and accessible information ·       Supporting peer networks for advice and support ·       Strengthening mainstream institutions to respond better to the needs of people with disability   💪🏼 Building strong community connections is also key to safety for everyone. By empowering people with disability to make informed choices and supporting workers in their roles, we can create a safer environment for all involved in the NDIS.   🎓 At NGO Training Centre, we provide comprehensive support for Disability Support Professionals, by ensuring they receive high quality training to uphold the rights and safety of those under their care.   Read the full article here: https://shorturl.at/knKR4   #SkillsMatter #ProfessionalDevelopment #trusted #expertise #disabilityservices #QualityClub #MakingADifference #DisabilitySector #Excellence #NGOTrainingCentre #NDIS #TheQualityClub #australiandisabilitysector #jointhequalityclub #believeinthepowerofeducation #disabilitysectorleadereducation #disabilitytrainingprovider #EnrolToday National Disability Insurance Agency

As if this week hasn't been epic enough for the disability sector and disabled community, today the NDIS Provider and Worker Registration Taskforce's final report was made public. "The taskforce was set up in February to probe one of the most controversial recommendations from last year's NDIS review — that all service providers be registered with the scheme. The panel consulted with the disability community on what a new registration and worker screening system could look like and has now made 11 recommendations to the government. The recommendations include tiered registration categories, the introduction of a worker registration scheme for all workers, expanding the functions of the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission, and changes to the complaints process." Most importantly, its recommendations are NOT strictly that - all NDIS services must be registered. Instead, the taskforce has recommended a tiered registration system, with an option for 'Self-directed registration' which preserves the rights of (mostly self-managed) participants to use independent support providers and retain choice and control over their supports. Thank you to Natalie Wade and the taskforce team for listening to people with disability and compiling recommendations which preserve our human rights and agency as individuals. Here's hoping that the government response, unlike the response to the Disability Royal Commission, honours our rights and these recommendations. Read the report at: https://lnkd.in/gMsT3kb5 Read a summary at: https://lnkd.in/gXYxa3Eh #NDISReview #NDISTaskforce #NDISAmendmentBill #NDISProvider #NDISsupport #NothingAboutUsWithoutUs #DisabilityRights [Image: NDIS Minister, Bill Shorten MP standing in front of a white sign with the NDIS logo].

The Minister, Bill Shorten has released the NDIS Review final report. The report comes with 26 recommendations with 139 actions to change the system that supports people with disability. Their recommendations provide a blueprint to renew the promise of the NDIS and deliver a more accessible and inclusive Australia. They want all governments to commit to creating a unified ecosystem. The NDIS should be one part of a big system that supports people with disability. The disability system must be looked after as a whole. This will deliver better outcomes for people with disability in a more responsive and cost effective way. In their review, they engaged with people with disability, their families, carers and providers and workers. Their recommendations reflect the thousands of voices they have heard from. Now, more than ever, they call on us to Work together to deliver the NDIS. The NDIS is not sustainable without major reforms. And without sustainability there is no certainty. Their proposed reforms are the best way to ensure sustainability while also achieving a much fairer system. A system of support for all people with disability, not just those in the NDIS. To read the Final NDIS Review Report (Working together to deliver the NDIS) visit this link: https://lnkd.in/e7Yy53_6... #ndis #ndisregisteredprovider #ndisbrisbane #ndisaustralia #ndissupportservices #ndisaccommodation #supportwork #planmanagement #supportcoordination #SDAHomes #specialistdisabilityaccommodation #SupportedIndependentLiving #SILHomes #AccessibleTransport #communityaccess #personalsupport #sdaglobalgroup #brisbane #stonescorner #ndisjourneywithsdaglobalgroup

The Australian government is taking steps to make the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) work better for people with disabilities. They have introduced a new law that comes after carefully reviewing the NDIS and listening to people with disabilities, which aims to improve access, planning, budgeting, and quality safeguards for NDIS participants. But the best part is that they are inviting us to join co-design sessions to help shape the updated policies for the NDIS. This citizen-led approach acknowledges that no one is better equipped to optimise disability support than those of us who have disabilities and our families. Born from extensive reviews, consultations, and the powerful voices of the disability community itself, this legislative effort cuts straight to the heart of what the NDIS should embody. 👏🏻 This is not the end of the story, there is still much to do. Visual Description: A woman with a bright smile is seated in her wheelchair. This visual looks like a stock photo, and does not look like a person with a disability in a wheelchair. I say this as this is a passive chair, designed to be pushed. This comes from journalistic laziness. You can get stock photos of real disabled people on line. #2024DisabilityEmpowerment #Inclusion #Policy

🚨 Act now, send an email #4aBetterNDIS. Since the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) released its pricing announcement, many Support Coordinators say they can't continue supporting people with disability, especially those with complex needs. A Disability Intermediaries Australia survey revealed that Support Coordinators have already closed or are closing with many more to follow. Survey respondents have indicated that hundreds of Support Coordinators services tens of thousands #NDISParticipants are likely to close this year due to new price limits. The sector calls on the NDIA and federal government for urgent action to ensure continued disability services. The NDIA’s pricing approach undermines quality, sustainable services and #NDIS reform. DIA has joined other peak bodies to call on the NDIA and government to take urgent action to secure the future of services for people with disability and create a better NDIS. 👉Secure the future of the NDIS! Urge the Minister for the NDIS and the NDIA to take swift action to adequately price Support Coordination services. Your voice can make a difference – write to them today! 👉 DIA has set up a campaign page with a quick send email function and template at https://lnkd.in/gi_PdieM 👉 It's time for all Support Coordinators to be heard. Your voice matters - join the campaign by sending an email through the above link to the NDIS Minister Bill Shorten, Kurt Fearnley and executives of the NDIA to tell them the impacts of the Price Review on you. DIA CEO Mr Jess Harper said "This years price review was a massive kick in the guts. The NDIA got this years price review very wrong with significant consequences that the NDIA clearly not not factor into it's thinking. For half a decade the NDIA has in real terms cut pricing for Support Coordination. Quality and safe providers simply can't continue to rack up losses so they are shutting their doors." #NDIS #DisabilitySupport #SupportCoordination #SupportCoordinator #NDISPricing #FairWorkCommission National Disability Services, Allied Health Professions Australia, CEO Collab

🚨 Act now, send an email #4aBetterNDIS. Since the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) released its pricing announcement, many Support Coordinators say they can't continue supporting people with disability, especially those with complex needs. A Disability Intermediaries Australia survey revealed that Support Coordinators have already closed or are closing with many more to follow. Survey respondents have indicated that hundreds of Support Coordinators services tens of thousands #NDISParticipants are likely to close this year due to new price limits. The sector calls on the NDIA and federal government for urgent action to ensure continued disability services. The NDIA’s pricing approach undermines quality, sustainable services and #NDIS reform. DIA has joined other peak bodies to call on the NDIA and government to take urgent action to secure the future of services for people with disability and create a better NDIS. 👉Secure the future of the NDIS! Urge the Minister for the NDIS and the NDIA to take swift action to adequately price Support Coordination services. Your voice can make a difference – write to them today! 👉 DIA has set up a campaign page with a quick send email function and template at https://lnkd.in/gi_PdieM 👉 It's time for all Support Coordinators to be heard. Your voice matters - join the campaign by sending an email through the above link to the NDIS Minister Bill Shorten, Kurt Fearnley and executives of the NDIA to tell them the impacts of the Price Review on you. DIA CEO Mr Jess Harper said "This years price review was a massive kick in the guts. The NDIA got this years price review very wrong with significant consequences that the NDIA clearly not not factor into it's thinking. For half a decade the NDIA has in real terms cut pricing for Support Coordination. Quality and safe providers simply can't continue to rack up losses so they are shutting their doors." #NDIS #DisabilitySupport #SupportCoordination #SupportCoordinator #NDISPricing #FairWorkCommission National Disability Services, Allied Health Professions Australia, CEO Collab

The 2024 Budget update has made some large changes for the National Disability Insurance Scheme where providers could see a downturn in revenue! Key takeaways NDIS providers will see over the next few years: 🔝 Participant Funding Plan "top ups" to be capped (These top ups caused 7% increase across total plan costs) - Providers will now need to manage a participant total budget rather than itemised costs associated. 🤝 Further $227.6 million committed ($5.6 billion total over next 5 years) to Specialist Disability Employment Program that supports suitable and lasting employment (1 July 2025 commencement) 🏢 $23.3 million committed to establish Disability Employment Centre of Excellence - Improving DES provider quality and effectivity of operations 🙌 Committed $45.5 million over next four years to establish NDIS EAC (Evidence Advisory Committee) - Provide independent and transparent advice to Government from a participant perspective 📞 Further $2.6 million in additional support for National Disability Abuse and Neglect, Complaints Resolution, and Referral Service Hotlines. Aims to improve service continuity across the network. With great pressure being applied on the NDIS, this budget sure looks at gaining greater bang for the government's dollar in supporting participants. Looking for talent in your finance team? Drop me a line today and would love to connect with you some amazing commercial talent available today! ☎ 0402 701 701 ✉ Peter.Sos@perigongroup.com.au Read more via: https://lnkd.in/d28VS8BJ