Transitioning to NDIS in Western Australia

Person-centred services are a key feature for people accessing disability supports. Source Flickr

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​On the 1 July 2018 the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) assumed responsibility for the delivery of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) in Western Australia.

​Covering all government-funded disability services in the state it is anticipated the NDIS will be rolled out by 30 June 2020 through a staged implementation. 

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The NDIS was designed to support the independence and social and economic participation of people with disability by providing reasonable and necessary supports including early intervention supports.
 
Objectives of the NDIS include:

• complying with the Convention of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in addition to other applicable covenants and conventions
• enabling people with disability to exercise choice and control in the pursuit of their goals and the planning and delivery of their supports
• facilitating a nationally consistent approach
• promoting the provision of high quality and innovative supports that enable  people with disability to maximise independent lifestyles and full inclusion in the community
• raising community awareness of the issues that affect the social and economic participation of people with disability
• facilitating greater community inclusion of people with disability

                                                                                                  (Australian Government, NDIS Act 2013)
 
It is anticipated these objectives will be achieved by governments working together to adopt an insurance-based approach to the provision and funding of supports for people with disability.
 
NDIS documentation clearly iterates that funding for supports is determined by consideration of the person’s individual needs, goals and aspirations; and that the NDIS is not welfare but a scheme investing in participants to improve long-term outcomes.
 
Reflecting the NDIS being a person-centred, consumer driven market the WA Government (2018) reports the number of service providers registered to deliver services has expanded from ninety-five (95) in 2013 to approximately two hundred and seventy (270) as of July 2018. The changing marketplace has invited new service providers into the disability sector including those without a disability-experienced background, therapists and those specialising in supporting people with psychosocial disabilities.
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For current disability service providers

Organisations providing supports for people living with disability through Department of Communities Disability Services or the WA HACC Program are to register for NDIS. For organisations wanting to add new clusters or locations registration processes are to be followed.
 
For organisations who are registered service providers the WA Government has recently released a $20.3 million transitional funding package to support these agencies to move to the NDIS. Available over two years this funding can assist agencies with NDIS readiness, understanding and engagement by adapting business models and operations.
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For new disability service providers

Moving to a consumer-driven market is encouraging new providers to offer disability services promoting increased choice for people with disability and driving sector efficiency. New providers navigating the registration system can feel overwhelmed with the oversupply of information and minimal person-to-person guidance on how to understand this information.
 
To help with this, new providers wanting to deliver NDIS services in Western Australia are to:

1. Register with NDIS by registering for PRODA, creating a myplace account and submitting a Declaration of Suitability with supporting evidence
2. Complete Part D DSPP Registration Application Form to determine next steps taking particular note of Quality Standards
3. Follow Quality Standard requirements determined by category of services to be delivered
4. Test eligibility with the Disability Services Provider Panel through submission of Part D and other required evidence.​
   

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Help by Consultivation

At Consultivation we understand change can be daunting for some and full of opportunities for others but most of all challenging for most. We are here to help by supporting you on your journey. We can assist with change and project management, transitioning services, understanding person-centred and consumer-driven markets and capacity building of staff. We can also assist organisations with navigating the systems ahead.

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​Consultivation is an independent consultancy service driven by an ethical values base 
supporting businesses and people to flourish in the community, and aged care and disability sectors. 

References:
Australian Government, National Disability Insurance Scheme Act 2013, No 20, (2013) Canberra
WA Government, Request for EOI for WA Disability Sector Transition Funds, (2018) Perth
​Picture source: Flickr