2.1
This chapter provides an outline of the committee’s work since the commencement of the 46th Parliament on 2 July 2019.
Overview of the committee’s work in the 46th Parliament
2.2
During the 46th Parliament, the committee completed 7 inquiries relating to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS):
Inquiry into General Issues around the Implementation and Performance of the NDIS
Inquiry into Current Scheme Implementation and Forecasting for the NDIS
Inquiry into the NDIS Workforce
Inquiry into the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission
Inquiry into Independent Assessments
Inquiry into NDIS Planning
Inquiry into Supported Independent Living.
2.3
Across all of its inquiries, the committee:
received 908 public submissions
tabled 12 reports (including this report); and
made 177 recommendations, of which the Australian Government has:
supported 55 recommendations
supported 'in principle' 27 recommendations; and
noted 43 recommendations.
2.4
Australian Government responses to the remaining 52 recommendations remain pending.
2.5
Copies of each report are available on the committee’s webpage, along with other documentation relating to each inquiry and tabled Australian Government responses.
2.6
The table below presents a broad overview of the committee’s work this Parliament and sections below provide more detail in relation to each inquiry.
2.7
The committee held hearings on 31 days and, in some hearings, heard evidence on multiple inquiries.
Table 2.1: Overview of committee’s work in the 46th Parliament
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
General Issues around the Implementation and Performance of the NDIS
|
See resolution establishing the committee
|
9 December 2020
(2020 report)
30 November 2021
(2021 report)
31 March 2022
(this report)
|
99
|
14
|
10
(2020 report)
1
(2021 report)
|
|
Current Scheme Implementation and Forecasting for the NDIS
|
6 October 2021
|
30 November 2021 (interim)
31 March 2022 (final)
|
92
|
3
|
1 (interim)
6 (final)
|
|
NDIS Workforce
|
6 February 2020
|
9 December 2020 (interim)
15 February 2022 (final)
|
58
|
2
(and see General Issues)
|
14 (interim)
8 (final)
|
|
NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission
|
23 June 2020
|
30 November 2021
|
75
|
4
|
30
|
|
Independent Assessments
|
10 December 2020
|
19 October 2021
|
376
|
8
|
6
|
|
NDIS Planning
|
1 August 2019
|
3 December 2019 (interim)
1 December 2020 (final)
|
157
|
1
(and see General Issues)
|
14 (interim)
42 (final)
|
|
Supported Independent Living
|
1 August 2019
|
13 May 2020
|
51
|
See General Issues
|
45
|
|
TOTAL
|
-
|
12 reports
|
908
|
32
|
177
|
Summary of each of the committee’s inquires for the 46th Parliament
2.8
This section provides more detailed summaries of each inquiry conducted by the committee throughout the 46th Parliament, including key evidence, recommendations and other relevant information relating to each report.
Inquiry into Current Scheme Implementation and Forecasting for the NDIS
2.9
On 6 October 2021, the committee commenced a new inquiry into current scheme implementation and forecasting for the NDIS, with a focus on how the NDIS is implemented and funded, and what supports are or should be available for people with disability in addition to the NDIS.
2.10
In total, the committee received 92 public submissions and held 3 public hearings for this inquiry.
Current Scheme Implementation and Forecasting Interim Report
2.11
On 30 November 2021, the committee tabled an interim report for this inquiry.
2.12
The interim report contained one recommendation that the Joint Standing Committee on the NDIS of the 47th Parliament reinitiate the inquiry into Current Scheme Implementation and Forecasting for the NDIS, and continue to consider evidence received by the committee in the 46th Parliament.
Current Scheme Implementation and Forecasting Final Report
2.13
This report makes 6 recommendations, including calling on the Australian Government to commission independent research on the extent and adequacy of support for people with disability outside of the NDIS; best practice early intervention; effective market stewardship; and interfaces with mainstream services.
2.14
The report also recommends that all independent research commissioned on the NDIS should, to the greatest extent possible, be published in full and accompanied by accessible translations or easy-read versions of reports to ensure accessibility.
2.15
The report recommends that the NDIA, with the Scheme Actuary and Board, review methods and approaches of managing the financial sustainability of the scheme to ensure appropriate emphasis is placed on measuring the benefits of the scheme, which should be promoted to the broader Australian community.
2.16
The Australian Government response to this report will be due in June 2022.
Inquiry into NDIS Workforce
2.17
On 6 February 2020, the committee commenced an inquiry into the NDIS workforce, focused on enhancing the scheme’s capacity to attract and retain an adequately sized workforce with the skills, qualifications and experience to deliver safe, quality supports to NDIS participants.
2.18
In total, the committee received 58 public submissions and heard evidence during 8 public hearings for this inquiry (including 2 dedicated public hearings), hearing a range of evidence from scheme participants, disability support workers, providers, allied health professionals, representative bodies and other key stakeholders.
NDIS Workforce Interim Report
2.19
On 9 December 2020, the committee tabled an interim report on the NDIS workforce.
2.20
The interim report contained 14 recommendations focused on issues relating to funding arrangements; training and accreditation; employment opportunities for people with disability; the maldistribution of allied health professionals; investing in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workforce; and securing reliable workforce data to support workforce planning and policy development.
2.21
The committee considered that more time was needed to fully consider the issues facing the NDIS workforce. The committee was also aware that, at the time, the Australian Government was developing its national workforce plan for the NDIS – and recognised that more time was needed to assess and consider the proposed plan upon its release.
2.22
The Australian Government responded to the committee’s NDIS Workforce Interim Report in October 2021. The government:
supported 5 recommendations
supported 'in principle' 6 recommendations; and
NDIS Workforce Final Report
2.23
On 15 February 2022, the committee tabled its final report on the NDIS workforce.
2.24
The final report examined new evidence provided to the committee since the tabling of the interim report — particularly in relation to the Australian Government’s NDIS National Workforce Plan: 2021-2025 which was released in June 2021.
2.25
New evidence highlighted that ambitious action is needed to adequately address issues within the NDIS workforce and to safeguard the availability of safe and quality supports for NDIS participants into the future.
2.26
The final report contained 8 recommendations relating to the need for: increased workforce data collection; enhanced employment opportunities for people with disability and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the NDIS workforce specifically; increased student placement opportunities; and appropriately resourced training and upskilling initiatives in the sector.
2.27
The report also called for the development of clear and measurable outcomes for each of the proposed initiatives under the government’s NDIS National Workforce Plan: 2021-2025.
2.28
The Australian Government response to this report is due in May 2022.
Inquiry into General Issues around the Implementation and Performance of the NDIS
2.29
The resolution establishing the committee requires the committee to present a report to the Parliament each year, on the activities of the committee, in addition to any other matters it considers relevant.
2.30
In total, the committee received 99 public submissions and heard evidence during 14 public hearings for this inquiry.
General Issues Report 2020
2.31
On 9 December 2020, the committee tabled its first report for the 46th Parliament on general issues around the implementation and performance of the NDIS (General Issues Report 2020).
2.32
The report provided an update on the committee's activities throughout 2019 and 2020 and, among other matters, primarily considered issues relating to independent assessments and the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on people with disability.
2.33
The report contained 10 recommendations aimed at improving the NDIS for participants, providers, and other key stakeholders.
2.34
The Australian Government provided a response to the final report in May 2021. The government:
supported 8 recommendations; and
General Issues Report 2021
2.35
On 30 November 2021, the committee tabled its second report for the 46th Parliament on general issues around the implementation and performance of the NDIS (General Issues Report 2021).
2.36
The report provided an update on the committee's activities throughout 2021, summarised the work of other relevant bodies throughout 2021 and outlined major changes to the NDIS announced from December 2020, such as the proposed changes to the National Disability Insurance Scheme Act 2013 and NDIS Rules.
2.37
The report also canvassed new issues raised in evidence since the tabling of its first general issues report in December 2020, such as in relation to external appeals processes for NDIA decisions, and transparency of Administrative Appeals Tribunal outcomes for NDIS participants.
2.38
The report contained 1 recommendation which urged the Australian Government to reconsider its responses to particular recommendations in the committee’s previous reports.
2.39
The Australian Government response to this report is due in March 2022. At the time of drafting, the government had not yet provided its formal response to the committee’s recommendations.
Inquiry into NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission
2.40
On 23 June 2020, the committee commenced an inquiry into the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission (the Commission) focused on the work of the Commission since it commenced operations on 1 July 2018.
2.41
The committee received 75 public submissions and heard evidence during 4 public hearings for this inquiry. It examined the systemic and ongoing issues with the Commission’s operations and framework, after issues with the oversight and regulation of disability service providers emerged in light of media attention, and subsequent inquiries into the tragic death of Ms Ann-Marie Smith.
2.42
On 30 November 2021, the committee tabled its report for the inquiry, which identified areas in which the Commission’s approach to its work could be improved, such as its compliance and performance measures; engagement with participants and the sector; and safeguarding arrangements for NDIS participants more broadly.
2.43
The report contains 30 recommendations relating to these matters, and other areas of the Commission’s work.
2.44
The Australian Government response to this report is due in March 2022. At the time of drafting, the government had not yet provided its formal response to the committee’s recommendations.
Inquiry into Independent Assessments
2.45
On 10 December 2020, the committee commenced an inquiry into independent assessments.
2.46
The inquiry attracted significant interest from people with disability, advocacy organisations, the allied health sector and other key stakeholders, with the committee receiving a total of 376 public submissions and holding 8 public hearings. Throughout the inquiry, the committee considered evidence relating to:
the rationale for introducing independent assessments
the proposed new approach for personalised budgets
concerns about assessment tools
concerns from people with disability and their families following independent assessment trials
review rights and oversight
how assessments would be carried out for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders in remote communities
the policy development process for independent assessments
the principles of co-design
how functional assessments are carried out in other contexts; and
the possibility of establishing a new Medicare Benefits Scheme item to fund consultations involving assessments.
2.47
The committee welcomed the announcement from the Minister for the NDIS Senator the Hon Linda Reynolds CSC, on 9 July 2021, that the Australian Government would not be proceeding with independent assessments in their proposed form, and that it would be taking time to consult in a meaningful way.
2.48
On 19 October 2021, the committee tabled its report for the independent assessments inquiry.
2.49
The report contained 6 recommendations, geared towards broader matters of financial sustainability, approaches to co-design and consultation, and bulk‑billed appointments with medical and allied health professionals.
2.50
The Australian Government response to this report was due in January 2022. At the time of drafting, the government had not yet provided its formal response to the committee’s recommendations.
Inquiry into NDIS Planning
2.51
On 1 August 2019, the committee commenced its inquiry into NDIS planning, focused on examining key issues NDIS participants and their families, advocates and providers have raised about the NDIS planning process.
2.52
In total, the committee received 157 public submissions and heard evidence during 14 public hearings for this inquiry.
NDIS Planning Interim Report
2.53
On 3 December 2019, the committee tabled an interim report on NDIS planning, which had a particular focus on draft plans and joint planning.
2.54
The interim report contained 14 recommendations aimed at improving the operation of the planning process and the NDIS more generally.
2.55
The Australian Government provided a response to the interim report in March 2020. The government:
supported 7 recommendations
supported 'in principle' 5 recommendations; and
NDIS Planning Final Report
2.56
On 1 December 2020, the committee tabled its final report on NDIS planning. Following on from the interim report, this report considered further issues that NDIS participants, their families, advocates and service providers raised about the NDIS planning process.
2.57
The final report contained 42 recommendations to address long-standing issues with the NDIS planning process.
2.58
The Australian Government provided a response to the final report in February 2021. The government:
supported 17 recommendations
supported 'in principle' 9 recommendations; and
noted 16 recommendations.
2.59
In its General Issues 2021 Report, the committee urged the government to reconsider its position and response to 5 key recommendations made in the final NDIS Planning report.
Inquiry into Supported Independent Living
2.60
On 1 August 2019, the committee commenced its inquiry on Supported Independent Living (SIL), a category of funding and supports under the NDIS, relating to assistance with and supervision of daily tasks in the home to support NDIS participants to develop the capacity to live as independently as possible.
2.61
The committee received 51 public submissions and heard evidence during 7 public hearings for this inquiry, through which the committee considered several issues relating to access to, and the delivery of, SIL supports.
2.62
On 13 May 2020, the committee tabled its report for its Supported Independent Living inquiry.
2.63
The report contained 45 recommendations aimed at improving the operation of SIL services by addressing access to SIL for participants and providers; living arrangements for participants with SIL; the vacancy management process; funding for SIL; and other issues including thin markets, decision support and viability of providers.
2.64
The Australian Government provided a response to the final report in February 2021. The government:
supported 19 recommendations
supported 'in principle' 6 recommendations; and
noted 20 recommendations.
Hon Kevin Andrews MPSenator Carol Brown
ChairDeputy Chair