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18 August 2008
Helping Children with Autism Package
The Australian Government has committed $190 million over four years (2008-2012) to the Helping Children with Autism package, aimed at addressing the considerable need for support and services for children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Click here to read more...
Autism Specific Early Learning and Care Centres
In addition to this package, funding is available for the establishment of six autism specific early learning and care centres as part of the Australian Government’s commitment to establish 260 Early Learning and Care Centres across Australia. Click here to read more...
ASD playgroups
As part of the education and support for families and carers of children with ASD initiative $5 million has been allocated to deliver the playgroup component of the package. Click here to read more...
Positive Partnerships website
A new website has been developed by the Australian Autism Education and Training Consortium (AAETC) to support their delivery of the professional development, workshops and information sessions on behalf of DEEWR. Click here to read more...
Healthy Kids Check
Released on July 1, the Healthy Kids Check has been developed by the Department of Health and Ageing. Click here to read more...
Family Relationship Services Program
In June, Minister Macklin and the Attorney-General, Robert McClelland, announced the extension of the Family Relationship Services Program to be delivered nationally by 136 service providers. Click here to read more...
15 August 2008
International perspectives on Home and Community
Two international speakers will be highlights of the 2008 Accommodation and Social Participation Conference, Home & Community: Overcoming Exclusion, to be held in Sydney on 25 & 26 September. Click here to read more...
14 August 2008
Commitment obtained for a national workforce survey
State, Territory and Commonwealth governments have agreed to commission a national survey and census of the community services workforce. Click here to read more...
12 August 2008
Government invites comment on an Australian Compact
The Australian Government wants to develop a compact with the not-for-profit sector. Click here to read more...
11 August 2008
Progress towards VRS Star Ratings
DEEWR is keen to progress the development of the Vocational Rehabilitation Services (VRS) Star Ratings, aiming for the first private release in September/October 2008. Click here to read more...
7 August 2008
Out-of-school care places for children with disability announced
The Australian Government has announced the allocation of $3.88 million to fund 769 after school and vacation care places for secondary school-aged children with disability aged 12 to 18 years. Click here to read more...
6 August 2008
New Business Services Places Released
The Australian Government has announced the release of a $2.6 million package to fund 278 new Business Service places. Click here to read more...
4 August 2008
Employers urged to consider disability employment
Representatives of a dozen major companies met on Friday with Parliamentary Secretary Bill Shorten to look at ways of boosting their employment of people with disability and their purchasing from Business Services. Click here to read more...
Exposure Draft for general employment services released
The Australian Government has issued an Exposure Draft for the purchase of $3.9 billion of employment services. Click here to read more...
Employment Service Partnerships in Asia
Several NDS employment services have established effective partnerships with counterpart organisations in Asia. Click here to read more...
25 July 2008
Business Services Awards mark a milestone
NDS congratulates the ten organisations that received inaugural Business Services Excellence Awards at this week’s NDS Employment Forum. Click here to read more...
Moves to clarify and strengthen the rights of people with disability
The Australian Government will seek to amend the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (DDA) in the Spring Session of Parliament. Click here to read more...
24 July 2008
National Reform Agenda will include workforce capacity
State, Territory and Commonwealth Disability Ministers have agreed to develop a national workforce plan as part of a National Disability Reform Agenda. Click here to read more...
15 July 2008
Qantas will provide insight on how to work with big business
Karen Lonergan, Group General Manager of Organisation Effectiveness and Management Development for Qantas Airways Limited, will speak at next week’s Employment Forum on “How to connect with big business”. Click here to read more...
AusAID releases a Disability Strategy Consultation Paper
AusAID has released a Consultation Paper on the Development of a Disability Strategy for Australia's Aid Program. Click here to read more...
OHS law must accommodate disability standards
Disability service providers need a workplace health and safety regime that accommodates their obligations to comply with the Disability Services Standards, says NDS in its submission to the national review of occupational health and safety (OHS) laws. Click here to read more...
NDS Welcomes Corporate Relationship with Mobil
NDS has reached an agreement with Exxon Mobil that will provide NDS Members with preferential pricing at Mobil Service Stations. Click here to read more...
14 July 2008
Star Ratings under Review
The Employment Participation Minister Brendan O’Connor has formed a reference group to provide advice on improving the performance management system for generic employment services. Click here to read more...
9 July 2008
Next steps in the review of disability employment services
The review of DEEWR-funded disability employment services is about to move to its next phase. Click here to read more...
7 July 2008
Governor to present Awards at NDS Employment Forum
The Governor of Queensland and Governor-General Designate Ms Quentin Bryce AM will join Bill Shorten in presenting the Business Services Excellence Awards at the 2008 NDS Employment Forum. Click here to read more...
4 July 2008
Disability and Development Conference: September 2008
On-line registration is now available for the Australian Disability and Development Consortium's Conference 'Disability Disadvantage and Development in the Pacific and Asia’. Click here to read more...
3 July 2008
RTOs invited to register to deliver Productivity Places Program
Under the Skilling Australia for the Future initiative, the Productivity Places Program will deliver 630,000 training places over five years. Click here to read more...
Autism Workshops and Service Provider Panel
Following the Australian Government’s announcement last week that it was implementing its Helping Children with Autism package ($190 million over four years), FaHCSIA has published two advertisements. Click here to read more...
Contacts needed for Asia Pacific consultations - urgent response required
The AusAID Disability Task Force has requested immediate assistance in identifying key contacts in all countries in the Asia Pacific region for consultation in relation to the development of the new Australian Disability Strategy. Click here to read more...
27 June 2008
AusAID commences development of a Disability Strategy
The Australian Government is currently developing a disability policy framework to guide longer term mainstream and disability-specific strategies in all future Australian overseas aid activities. Click here to read more...
AusAID Development Research Strategy 2008-10
AusAID is increasing funding for development research through to 2010. Click here to read more...
Proposals for increasing the use of Special Disability Trusts
Special Disability Trusts, introduced in 2006, were expected to be a useful mechanism for people wanting to make additional provision for the support of their family members with a disability. Click here to read more...
Family Assistance payments saved, but raising the FBT cap rejected – for now
Legislation passed this week in Federal Parliament has prevented the introduction of a measure that would have cost many employees of not-for-profit community service organisations up to $50 a week in lost entitlements to Family Assistance. Click here to read more...
19 June 2008
DEEWR Release New Automated Health Checks
New automated DEN Health Check reports that can be downloaded directly from EA Reporting will be made available this week. Click here to read more...
Government agrees to fix salary packaging impact on Family Assistance
The Federal Government has promised to rectify the impact on lower paid community service workers of the changed method of calculating entitlement for Family Assistance benefits due to come into effect on 1 July 2008. Click here to read more...
18 June 2008
New Support Project - Reminder
Business Services intending to apply for assistance through the Business Services Support Project are reminded to submit applications by 28 June 2008 (see News Update of 6 June 2008). Click here to read more...
12 June 2008
ASU protests against new income calculation rule
The Australian Services Union (ASU) has joined with NDS in protesting to the Australian Government about the new method of calculating the value of reportable fringe benefits for Family Assistance payments. Click here to read more...
10 June 2008
Reducing SWS coverage would reduce job opportunities
Legal firm Blake Dawson has made a submission to the Australian Industrial Relations Commission (AIRC), on behalf of NDS, arguing that all modern awards should include the Supported Wage System (SWS) model clause. Click here to read more...
6 June 2008
Attention: CEOs
New Project offers support to Business Services
A new NDS project will assist up to 30 Business Services whose financial viability is at risk. Click here to read more...
5 June 2008
Issues paper raises questions about OHS law
The Committee conducting the National Occupational Health and Safety Review has released an issues paper to guide public submissions. Click here to read more...
2 June 2008
Reminders: Benchmarking and Excellence Awards
NDS supports initiatives to drive continuous improvement among service providers. Click here to read more...
NDS Media Release: Disability Ministers confirm new funding
While stating that much more needs to be done, NDS has welcomed confirmation from Disability Ministers today that new funding will begin flowing immediately to ease the nationwide demand for disability services. Click here to read more...
29 May 2008
Guide to community grants and a new regional infrastructure program
Funding is scarce for most disability service organisations. NDS members seeking supplementary financial assistance are advised to check the guide to community grants. Click here to read more...
Budget change will exacerbate workforce shortages
NDS has written to the Federal Treasurer asking that not-for-profit service providers be exempt from a Budget measure that will diminish the attractiveness of salary packaging for disability support workers. Click here to read more...
26 May 2008
Stronger VET collaboration would assist disadvantaged job seekers
Support for the most disadvantaged jobseekers is constrained by the lack of collaboration between the ‘income support sector’ and the VET sector, a situation underpinned by the absence of funding to support VET staff to work with other sectors on behalf of disadvantaged students. Click here to read more...
New Fundraising Venue on Sydney Harbour
Up to ten charities will secure the right to hold a fundraiser at Kirribilli House each year, according to the Prime Minister. Click here to read more...
22 May 2008
Senate Inquiry to investigate low take up of Special Disability Trusts
The Senate Community Affairs Committee will investigate the low usage of Special Disability Trusts. Click here to read more...
Social Inclusion Board Announced
The new Australian Social Inclusion Board is chaired by the former Secretary of the Victorian Department of Human Services, Patricia Faulkner. Ms Faulkner now leads KPMG’s Global Healthcare practice. Click here to read more...
21 May 2008
Children's Update
Impact of Federal Budget on Carers summarised
In her address to the NDS ‘Every Child Matters’ conference on 15 May, Minister Jenny Macklin highlighted the initiatives announced in the Federal Budget that will help eligible carers looking after children with a severe disability. Click here to read more...
New Inquiry into Support for Carers
The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Family, Community, Housing and Youth, chaired by Annette Ellis MP, will conduct an inquiry into...click here to read more.
Carers Face Barriers to Work
New research by the Australian Institute of Family Studies shows that the impact of caring responsibilities on labour market participation comes at a personal financial cost. Click here to read more...
16 May 2008
Employment Services Discussion Paper now available
Employment Participation Minister Brendan O’Connor has released a discussion paper detailing the proposed Employment Services System, which he referred to in his budget presentation earlier this week. Click here to read more...
Business Services Excellence Awards
Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities, Bill Shorten, is calling for nominations for the inaugural Business Services Excellence Awards. Click here to read more...
13 May 2008
2008-09 Federal Budget delivers little that was not expected
With reviews and inquiries incomplete, the CSTDA under renovation and national strategies still being formed, this year’s Federal Budget was never likely to be the one that brought home the bacon for the disability sector. Click here to read more...
Improvements under discussion for a key source of disability data
The Survey of Ageing Disability and Carers (SDAC) is the main source of population-based data for the disability sector. Click here to read more...
New Wage Assessment Tools Approved
The Australian Fair Pay Commission has approved nine additional wage assessment tools for Business Services, bringing the total to 31. Click here to read more...
12 May 2008
Disability sector seeks a share of new training places
Disability services are likely to share in the allocation of 50,000 new training places targeted at the health sector. Click here to read more...
7 May 2008
DEEWR surveys service providers
DEEWR is about to commence its annual survey of employment service providers, seeking their views on the quality of services provided by Centrelink and DEEWR. Click here to read more...
5 May 2008
PM announces $100 M capital funding for supported accommodation
NDS welcomed the Prime Minister’s announcement yesterday of an additional $100 million for disability supported accommodation, but highlighted the need for substantial additional funding to respond to the need for disability services. Click here to read more...
2 May 2008
Audit Office reviews the administration of disability employment services
The Australian National Audit Office (ANAO) is undertaking a performance audit of the administration of specialist disability employment services. It met with NDS yesterday to seek our views. Click here to read more...
1 May 2008
Views sought on improving the JSCI
Employment Participation Minister Brendan O’Connor is seeking ideas on ways to improve the Job Seeker Classification Instrument (JSCI). Click here to read more...
Expressions of Interest sought to provide care for young people with disability
FaHCSIA is calling for Expressions of Interest in relation to the new Extra Support for Children with Disability Program. Click here to read more...
Government will investigate access to electronic media
NDS welcomes the Australian Government’s announcement that it will investigate access to electronic media by people who are Deaf or hearing impaired and blind or vision impaired. Click here to read more..
Union Influence at the Employment Forum
ACTU President Sharan Burrow will deliver a keynote speech on Disability and the Unions at NDS’s national Employment Forum, 21-22 July in Brisbane. Click here to read more...
NSW Government to introduce Companion Card for Carers
People in NSW who have a severe or profound disability will now be able to take a carer on public transport or to a range of sporting, entertainment and other events for the price of a single ticket. Click here to read more...
21 April 2008
Expert Group will investigate new funding sources
A Federal inquiry will investigate how to attract funding from new sources into the disability sector. Click here to read more...
Summit endorses a National Disability Insurance Scheme
A National Disability Insurance Scheme was one of the ideas endorsed at the weekend’s Australia 2020 Summit. Click here to read more...
17 April 2008
Star Ratings Released
DEN services are currently receiving notification of their Star Rating for performance up to 31 December 2007 in both capped and uncapped programs. The notification is being sent by email from DEEWR state offices. Click here to read more...
Rights Framework will guide the National Disability Strategy
The promised National Disability Strategy is likely to take a rights-based approach guided by the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Click here to read more...
16 April 2008
National OHS laws – harmonisation in the planning
The Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, Julia Gillard, has announced a national review into occupational health and safety laws. The terms of reference can be found on the National OHS Review website. Click here to read more...
15 April 2008
A national approach is needed to assistive technology
NDS has written to the Australian Government seeking the development of a properly resourced national aids and equipment (assistive technology) strategy for inclusion in the next Commonwealth State/Territory Disability Agreement. This issue was also raised in a recent meeting with Government. Click here to read more...
14 April 2008
Two new reports quantify aspects of excessive red tape
The new Federal Parliamentary Secretary for Social Inclusion and the Voluntary Sector, Ursula Stephens, has acknowledged the need for the government ‘to cut the red tape and layers of imposed bureaucratic reporting that can drown and distress even the largest and most sophisticated organisations, making it difficult for them to achieve their aims.’ Click here to read more...
9 April 2008
Structure of the CSTDA to change
A decision by Commonwealth State and Territory heads of government (COAG) to reform the architecture of Commonwealth-State financial relations will have substantial implications for the next Commonwealth State Territory Disability Agreement (CSTDA). Click here to read more...
Funding for health partnerships in the Asia-Pacific Region
Bob McMullan, Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs, has announced that the Government will provide $24 million over four years to establish Health Knowledge Hubs with research organisations as part of a move to build stronger alliances with domestic, regional and international partners to improve health sector development assistance in the Asia-Pacific region. Click here to read more...
7 April 2008
Disability employment requires flexibility
NDS is calling for the new National Employment Standards to extend flexible work arrangements to employees with disability and carers. Click here to read more...
Children's Update
Confusion in schools over definitions
There is widespread confusion among Australian teachers over the terms ‘learning difficulties’ and ‘learning disabilities’. Click here to read more...
4 April 2008
Children's Update
Report Card on children’s wellbeing to include disability
ARACY (Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth, of which NDS is a member) is developing a Report Card that will enable key indicators of the health and wellbeing of Australian children and youth to be monitored over time. Click here to read more...
26 March 2008
US Study affirms the critical role of disability employment services
As the Australian Government commences the development of a National Mental Health and Disability Employment Strategy, an American study has confirmed the critical role of disability employment services and disability advocates in the employment of people with disability. Click here to read more...
20 March 2008
Children's Update
Allowances and Bonuses for Carers
From 20 March, for the first time, recipients of the Carer Payment will receive the Utilities Allowance, which has been increased by the Federal Government from $107.20 to $500 a year to be paid quarterly. Click here to read more...
Government will review progress on younger people in residential aged care initiative
It’s two years since COAG (Council of Australian Governments) announced an initiative to reduce the number of younger people living in residential aged care facilities. Click here to read more...
19 March 2008
Democrats table National Commissioner for Children Bill
Queensland Senator, Andrew Bartlett, has introduced a Bill to Parliament to establish an independent National Commissioner for Children. Click here to read more...
18 March 2008
2008 National Disability Awards Launched
Yesterday at Parliament House Canberra, Minister Jenny Macklin and Parliamentary Secretary Bill Shorten launched the 2008 National Disability Awards and called for nominations. Click here to read more...
17 March 2008
Timetable for Advocacy Reforms Extended
The Federal Government has extended the implementation timetable for reforms to the National Disability Advocacy Program (NDAP) and, as promised pre-election, has dropped plans to open up the Program to competitive tendering. Click here to read more...
14 March 2008
NDS Response to the Possible Ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
NDS welcomes Australia’s continued commitment to the creation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Click here to read more...
11 March 2008
Call for Papers
NDS is pleased to release advance notice of the 2008 Accommodation & Social Participation Conference, Home & Community: Overcoming Exclusion. Click here to read more...
5 March 2008
JCA submission argues for a stronger service provider pathway
NDS’s submission to the Government’s review of the Job Capacity Assessment (JCA) system argues for strengthening the service provider pathway. Click here to read more...
4 March 2008
Proposed IR changes and productivity-based wages
The Federal Government’s Workplace Relations transition Bill preserves productivity-based wage arrangements for Business Services until January 2010. Click here to read more...
Reporting requirements concern employment services
Research conducted by the Social Policy Research Centre (SPRC) has found that disability employment providers have greater concerns about government contractual reporting and accountability requirements than other service providers. Click here to read more...
25 February
EOI for New Business Service Places
FaHCSIA has called for expressions of interest to establish new disability supported employment services in areas where there is demonstrated high demand. Click here to read more...
22 February
Benchmarking developments
NDS is supportive of efforts within the Disability Business services sector to develop and utilise benchmarking initiatives. Click here to read more...
19 February
What will Labor’s social inclusion agenda mean for people with disability?
Social inclusion, a framework for understanding and responding to the entrenched disadvantage experienced by some members of society, is a central component of the social policies of the new Australian Government. Click here to read more...
15 February
Disability and Mental Health Employment Consultation Announced
At a forum today at Parliament House Canberra, the Minister for Employment Participation, Brendan O’Connor, announced the release of the terms of reference for the Government’s National Disability and Mental Health Employment Strategy. Click here to read more...
Disability gets a place on the Development Agenda
The new Federal Government seems certain to give a more prominent place to disability in its international development strategy. Click here to read more...
14 February
NDS submission outlines proposals to improve employment services
Any strategy to improve the employment prospects for people with disability must involve strengthening the role and capacity of the Disability Employment Network. Click here to read more...
11 February
Call for a new eligibility process for Carer Payment (child)
The report of the Carer Payment (child) Review Taskforce calls for a new process for assessing those eligible for support after evidence some are being rejected despite qualifying for assistance. Click here to read more...
4 February
Disability Ministers agree to work together
Meeting last Friday, for the first time since the Federal Election, Disability Ministers agreed to work cooperatively to implement the eight priority areas identified by Labor during the Federal Election campaign...click here to read more.
Government seeks comment on the UN Disability Convention
The Federal Government is seeking public comment on the implications of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, before it decides whether to ratify the Convention. Click here to read more...
23 January
Government seeks views on how to improve employment services
NDS’s National Committee on Open Employment (NCOE) will meet on 5 February to inform NDS’s response to the Employment Participation Minister’s call for advice on how to improve employment services. Click here to read more...
Research Paper highlights problems facing Job Network
Relevant to the Minister O’Connor’s inquiry into employment services is a valuable new research paper on Job Network from the Department of Parliamentary Services. Click here to read more...
Clarification of ‘Employment in Jeopardy’ Evidence Requirements
On 30 November, NDS reported that improvements had been made to the type of evidence required for ‘Employment in Jeopardy’ (EIJ) assistance, allowing a more flexible response to disclosure concerns for people with mental illness. Click here to read more...
22 January
Submission Charts a Course
NDS has set out a policy agenda for the new Federal Government based on ten key objectives...click here to read more
17 January
Disability Employment Falls Further in the Public Service
The employment of people with disability in the Australian Public Service (APS) continues to decline, despite a report in 2006 which committed government agencies to reversing this trend. Click here to read more...
15 January
New Workplace Relations law must preserve productivity-based wages
NDS is seeking assurance from the new Federal Government that in abandoning WorkChoices it does not inadvertently abolish the capacity to pay productivity-based wages to workers whose disability reduces their productivity. Click here to read more...
10 January
NDS Meets with Government to discuss Disability’s ‘To Do’ List
NDS met yesterday with the new Federal Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities, Bill Shorten, to discuss policy priorities for the disability sector. Click here to read more....
Copyright © 2007
National Disability Services
Limited. All rights reserved.
Revised:
Tuesday, 11 November 2008