Today, over 660,000 Australians with disability face a challenging new reality as transitional rules for the NDIS come into effect.
With three in five NDIS participants aged 25 and under, these changes – publicly unveiled only two days ago – disproportionately impact younger generations.
“We’re meeting the day with a range of emotions,” said CEO of Children and Young People with Disability (CYDA) Skye Kakoschke-Moore.
“While we welcome the comprehensive new details on what can and cannot be funded by the Scheme, the rushed process by which we’ve arrived here has been beyond frustrating.
“Today, thousands of young people, parents, and caregivers face the stressful task of making sense of what these changes mean for them right as they are being implemented.”
Further clarity on key aspects of the changes is now more vital than ever to ensure the community can feel confident about accessing and navigating the Scheme into the future.
To this end, CYDA calls on the government to commit to providing:
- Definitive information on the ‘substitution’ process by which participants can request funding for unlisted supports
- Transparent guidelines on debt recovery processes and clear avenues for appeal
- Meaningful consultation on future changes to the NDIS rules
- Clear definitions of what constitutes ‘evidence-based’ therapeutic support to avoid ambiguity in accessing necessary services
CYDA acknowledges positive aspects of the changes, including the explicit guidelines for employment supports which can help young people transition from school to work and the inclusion of essential items like menstrual products on the approved list.
However, it remains concerned about how the new rules will impact participant choice, control, and access to reasonable and necessary support.
“A principled approach recognising the unique needs of children and young people with disability remains the best option,” said Ms Kakoschke-Moore.
Some excluded supports that may be important for participants include recreational, travel, and meal-purchasing disability-related supports.
Supports in these areas can play a critical role in therapy and to assist with social participation and inclusion.
More information on the new changes can be found here.
For more information or further comment, please contact CYDA:
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (03) 9417 1025
