Episode 2 - NDIS, NDIA, NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission

In this podcast, we will explore What is NDIS, What is NDIA What is NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is a social policy reform initiative that provides support and improved opportunities for individuals with a disability.

It is the first of its kind in Australia and has the potential to significantly improve the lives of nearly five million people living with a disability in Australia. The NDIS is now available in all states and territories across Australia.

The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) is a government agency responsible for implementing the NDIS in Australia. It works with a network of state and territory governments, service providers, and community organizations to create a nationally consistent approach to providing quality support to people with a disability. The agency works to ensure that the scheme is managed properly and that sufficient assistance is provided for people with a disability. Some of its key responsibilities include assessing individuals' eligibility for the scheme, allocating funding and resources, assessing the effectiveness of services provided under NDIS, and making changes when needed.

The NDIS Commission is an independent organization established to monitor and regulate the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) in Australia. The Commission is vital in ensuring people with disabilities have access to quality, safe, and person-centred support services. The NDIS Commission also monitors complaints and takes action if there is evidence of serious contraventions of the standards outlined by the NDIS. They are responsible for providing independent advice and guidance and supervising providers to ensure they meet the NDIS Quality and Safeguarding Framework.

The NDIS Commission also advises the Australian Government and works with other agencies to ensure the effective implementation of the NDIS. The NDIS, NDIA, and the NDIS Commission work together to provide a system that allows individuals to choose how to use available funding for support services. This includes ensuring people with disabilities have access to quality support and services. The NDIS Commission plays a vital role in upholding these standards. Together, these three organizations ensure that all Australians with a disability can access the support and services they need.

So, in a nutshell.

People with disability and their advocates raised their voices and asked the government to provide care, opportunities, and options. Following that, a review was conducted, and many recommendations were made. Post-review legislation was passed in which the government promised to do better for people with disability by establishing a scheme.

The legislation was passed, called the National Disability Insurance Scheme Act 2013, and the scheme was called the National Insurance Disability Scheme. To run this scheme, they needed money, so the government at all levels, commonwealth, state, and territory, contributed. Later they applied a levy on the general population through medicare. All this together funds the NDIS. The funds are managed and distributed by NDIA. An independent commission was then established called NDIS Quality and safeguard commission.

The commission's main job is to monitor and ensure, on a national level, there is consistency in support and service being provided to people with disability. And these supports and services promote dignity, choice, and control.

References https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_Departments/Parliamentary_Library/pubs/rp/rp1819/Chronologies/NDIS https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_Departments/Parliamentary_Library/pubs/BriefingBook45p/NDIS https://www.ndis.gov.au/about-us/governance https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/C2022C00206 https://www.ndis.gov.au/news/4889-delivering-ndis-roll-out-complete-across-australia-christmas-and-cocos-islands-join-world-leading-scheme https://www.acoss.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/ACOSS_medicare-levy-FINAL.pdf https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_Departments/Parliamentary_Library/pubs/BriefingBook45p/NDIS#:~:text=In%20addition%2C%20funds%20for%20the,reimbursing%20governments%20for%20NDIS%20expenditure. file:///C:/Users/Aruna/Downloads/IG%20ACT%20Schedule%20E%20Bilateral%20Agreement%20for%20NDIS%20Launch%20Between%20the%20Commonwealth%20and%20ACT%20PDF.pdf