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

Mental Health Australia recently made a submission to the Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee on the National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Getting the NDIS Back on Track No.1) Bill 2024. Mental Health Australia supports the Bill, which puts in place the scaffolding to begin implementation of the NDIS Review’s recommendations. However, Mental Health Australia’s submission also makes recommendations to amend the Bill to ensure the views of key stakeholders are considered in parliamentary deliberation of future legislative instruments foreshadowed by the Bill. The submission also makes recommendations to prevent potential unintended consequences of the proposed changes. This includes clarifying what is and is not considered a NDIS support. It also includes balancing what appears to be overly punitive action for failing to comply with a request for information with provision of assistance to NDIS participants to comply with a such a request. The submission also suggests a change to the legislation to enable the provision of the needs assessment report to the NDIS participant and or their family, carers or supporters, where this is the participant’s preference, prior to it being submitted to the NDIA. The submission also highlights an opportunity that the Bill presents in paving the way for alternative commissioning to occur.