National Disability Services (NDS) has welcomed some good news in the NDIS Pricing Arrangements announced today but is concerned that the new price guide has created winners and losers in the sector. 

NDS CEO Laurie Leigh says: “The pricing arrangements announced today, whilst including some good news for providers, serve as a bitter blow for others." 

“We welcome the adoption of the award wage increase and believe this is a welcome sign that the NDIS growth targets will not come at the cost of what is arguably one of the sectors most precious resources - our workers,” she said.  

“It is positive to see that the temporary loading, announced as a 12 month measure last year, has been continued, however we are disappointed that this has been halved to 1 per cent. 

“Yet again therapy supports, support coordination and plan management have been left behind - cut for the fourth year in a row, which will undoubtedly see more organisations exit the market altogether, particularly for regional areas where options for participants are already limited.  

“We know that the NDIS Review is proposing that price caps are necessary to ensure value for money, and so we are strengthening our calls for an independent pricing mechanism, to ensure greater transparency and independence in price setting in the future."