Support coordination – the delicate art of balance – Q4

Panel members

• Elizabeth Hickey (EH) – Support Coordinator, AFA Support Coordination
• Sera CrichtonAita (SC) – Support Coordinator, Australian Regional & Remote Community Services
• Kate Read (KR) – Founder/CEO, Inspires & Co
• Zena Dyson (ZD) – Specialist Support Coordinator/Team Leader, Esteem Care Services
• Danni Bament (DB) – Managing Director, Aspire Recovery Connection

In October 2022, the Federal Government launched an independent review into the NDIS, to ‘improve the wellbeing of Australians with disability and ensure the Scheme’s sustainability so that future generations receive the benefit of the NDIS’. What do you believe needs to be done to make the NDIS sustainable? What outcomes would you like to see arising from the review?

EH – What needs to be done to make the NDIS sustainable? That is a hard question to answer, simply because you need to consider what the NDIS does for our community – things like economic participation, improved living conditions and a better Australia for all will make differences in the long term.

1. Jobs and economic participation – the NDIS is creating jobs. Many people who had never thought about a job in the caring industry are either using it as a way to make money while they pursue their preferred career or are now looking at it as a real possibility. This is an area of employment that is only going to grow, which means there are more tax dollars to collect and potentially better economic participation for people who would not have been in that position previously.
2. Economic participation of participants and families that would never have been able to consider working previously – parents and caregivers are able to consider employment because there is real support for their loved one, and participants who are more likely to be able to participate in more valued roles in the community, including holding a long-term work position.

In all reality, I personally think we need to consider more than just the bottom dollar of what the NDIS costs – however there will always be ways to spend the dollars better by reducing expenditure on things that are not needed or could be done differently.

SC – If what we are doing right now is going to make a difference in future generations, I would like to see the plan reviews based on the needs of the participants now, especially those who are unable to speak.

MOW needs to be factored back in for NDIS participants who live remotely. Elderly are unable to afford $140 per fortnight for their food preparation. Respite should also be considered for all NDIS participants who live in remote areas, so they can travel into Alice Springs and give their families rest from taking care of them every day.

Wait times for plan reviews or reviewing of the plan that didn’t change at all.

KR – Participants should be involved in preparing and agreeing what funding is included in the plan (co-designing the plan). This would stop a lot of RORD reviews/AAT submissions and people being so disappointed when their plan is approved. It would also stop people ‘needing’ to spend all their funds before the plan runs out. They wouldn’t be scared of having a ‘plan reassessment’.

DB – Greater choice and control for participants. If someone is self managed, they have the freedom to move money between categories to meet their needs. We believe everyone should have this flexibility and people should have greater choice, control and flexibility in how they use their funds.

Click here for question 5.