Important NDIS Changes: What Do They Mean For You?
There are many significant changes happening within the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) landscape right now, and we are here to support you to understand them all. Starting on October 3rd, 2024, significant changes will be rolled out for the NDIS. These updates aim to clarify how the NDIS works for all participants.
Some of these changes include:
The supports that can and can’t be funded by the NDIS
How funding is allocated and needs to be spent
How plans are managed
How eligibility is assessed
Requirements for information gathering for eligibility reassessment.
The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) have taken on board the feedback from the wider disability and mental health community and have made these changes in line with some of the recommendations.
Some of these changes started on October 3rd, 2024, however, over the next 12-24 months, we will continue to see more improvements in this space. NDIA have stated that many participants won’t notice many of the changes until the new frameworks are introduced next year, but if you need any support to understand these changes in more detail, please reach out to your Support Coordinator or Psychosocial Recovery Coach, and they will be able to help you understand them in more detail.
New Definition of NDIS Supports
From October 3rd, every participant will have access to a new list that defines NDIS supports. This list outlines:
What you can spend your NDIS funding on: This includes approved items that are officially recognised as NDIS supports.
What you cannot spend your NDIS funds on: This clarifies which items and services you are not allowed to spend your NDIS funding on.
What supports you may be able to replace other supports with: This identifies supports that are ordinarily not funded by the NDIS, however, you may apply to get the service or item funded from your NDIS plan. Once funded, it replaces an existing support already funded in your NDIS plan.
Moving forward, you’ll only be able to use your NDIS funds for supports related to the impairments that were identified when you first joined the scheme. This means your funding can only cover supports that directly address those impairments. Rest assured, most supports that people currently use will still be on the new NDIS supports list, so these changes shouldn’t significantly impact the majority of participants. There will also be a transition period during the first year to help participants adjust without facing penalties for minor mistakes. For providers, such as plan managers and other service providers, it will be a one month transition period. We have created a list of side-by-side supports to help you understand what is and is not an NDIS support. Click on the link to download.
Below, we have outlined other significant changes that will start to come into effect from October the 3rd, and may impact how you use you use your NDIS plan to purchase supports.
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Participants will now be required to formally request a replacement for certain items that are generally not classified as funded NDIS supports. These items include:
Common household items in specific situations (such as washing machines or dishwashers)
Smartwatches, tablets, or apps used for accessibility or communication
Your Support Coordinator or Psychosocial Recovery Coach can support you to make a formalised request for replacement support. Please note that you can only request one replacement support per plan period, and if you are rejected for that support, you cannot request it again in that plan period. For more information on replacement supports and the process, click on this link: Replacement supports
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From October 3rd, 2024, all newly developed NDIS plans will feature a total budget amount rather than individual line items. This means you’ll see one total amount for all supports, making it easier to track your funding. Keep in mind that all new plans developed after October 2nd, 2024, will have a maximum duration of 12 months for now, but longer plans will be considered in the future. We expect longer plan durations to come into effect sometime in 2025.
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The NDIS will have the authority to adjust the way your funds are managed if your funding is not being used according to your plan. This means that if you are plan-managing or self-managing your funding, it may be changed to a different type. More detailed information about the different options to manage your funding can be found in another article we wrote here.
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We have observed an increase in auditing activities by the NDIA Payment Integrity Team when processing plan-managed claims on behalf of our clients. To ensure compliance with the new requirements and a good experience for our clients, we have implemented the following measures:
Service Agreements: We will request up-to-date service agreements from your providers to confirm that the supports offered are within your funding plan.
Additional Information Requests: If there is uncertainty regarding whether the support meets the NDIS criteria, we may seek further information from your provider.
Approval Requests: In some cases, we may need to request approval from the NDIA for certain supports before we process the claim. We may also contact you to get approval for some claims from your providers.
The NDIA may also contact our Plan Management Team prior to paying your provider, requesting more information about the claim before it is paid to your provider. This may result in delays in payment processing for your service provider. If your providers experience any delays because of this, please let your providers know to speak directly to our Accounts Team and provide the information requested in a timely manner.
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The NDIS may require specific information or assessments when reviewing your participant status. If you don’t comply within a reasonable timeframe, they may take action, including revocation of your NDIS access. Ensure you reach out to your Support Coordinator or Psychosocial Recovery Coach if you need support to gather more information and submit it in a timely manner.
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From January 1st, 2025, all new NDIS participants will receive an "impairment notice" detailing their permanent disabilities or significant impairments. This document will help ensure that the supports funded by the NDIS are directly related to the impairments listed. At present, the NDIA does not disclose to participants, Support Coordinators, or Psychosocial Recovery Coaches specific details regarding the impairments that qualified an individual for NDIS access. Providing impairment notices will ensure participants know which condition met the access requirements and why they are able or not able to have certain disability related supports funded. This will be particularly useful for those who have multiple impairments and/or conditions but accessed the NDIS with only one of those conditions.
We know that change can feel unsettling, but be rest assured that there are many other support services not funded by the NDIS that our navigation specialists will be able to link you with. This includes other government and community support services.
Our aim is to minimise disruptions for our clients due to these changes. Please reach out to our friendly team if you have any specific questions and would like to get some advice.
Keep up to date with these changes directly on the NDIS website here: NDIS latest news
If you would like to speak to our friendly team about our navigational services, call us on 1300 208 594 or email hello@avenuesaustralia.com. Alternatively, you can submit a Request for Service form, and we will get back to you shortly.
