Minister Shorten tabled the National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Getting the NDIS Back on Track No 1) Bill 2024 in parliament on 27 March.  

It will allow the Minister, in consultation with the states, territories and disability stakeholders, to follow key recommendations of the NDIS Review.  

Among the proposed amendments that will affect providers are changes to the definitions of NDIS support, the creation of new ways for participants to access the NDIS, and a new framework for setting NDIS budgets. It also contains measures to strengthen the NDIS Quality and Safeguarding Commission.  

While not detailing NDIS rule changes directly, the Bill enables rule changes and other legislative instruments. Some of the changes, like those related to the NDIS Commission, will take effect when the Bill passes. Others, including those for access and budgets, will need to be developed and agreed to by states and territories first.  

The Bill has been referred to the Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee for inquiry and report by 20 June. The Committee seeks submissions by 26 April. NDS will be making a submission on behalf of our members, and will be gathering your thoughts through our Communities of Practice. Or you can contact our Senior Policy Officer for Member Advocacy Jeremy Farley:  submit enquiry/feedback  

In the next two weeks, the Department of Social Services will hold online information sessions about the Bill for the disability community. 

The public information sessions will go through the proposals and explain how they will bring the Scheme back to its original intent. There will be a chance to ask questions. 

The first session is on Thursday 4 April from 3:30 to 5:00pm (AEDT). You can get more information and register on the Humanitix website.   

There will be other sessions on Tuesday 9 April from 7:00 to 8:30pm and Thursday 11 April from 11:00am to 12.30pm (AEST). Registration details for these events will be on the DSS website soon.  

For more information about the Bill and what it means for providers, we have published a brief summary.  

Further updates on how to respond to the legislation will be provided in the next edition of our Policy Roundup, coming soon.