What you need to know

• The NDIS Review seeks feedback on the NDIS Quality and Safeguarding Framework.

• The Review has released an issues paper outlining some of the main areas under review, including some guiding questions.

• Consultations close Monday 29 May.

The NDIS Review has released an NDIS Quality and Safeguarding Framework Issues Paper. The paper summarises some of the issues identified through consultation and in previous reviews of the Quality and Safeguarding Framework. It considers the role, approach and settings of the framework and their appropriateness for the current market. 

The paper also flags specific areas for future consultation, including participant safeguarding, the regulatory approach to providers, workers and intermediaries, and positive behaviour support and restrictive practices.   

Participants, families, carers, providers and other stakeholders can provide their thoughts on the Have Your Say page on the NDIS Review website. The consultation closes on Monday 29 May. 

NDS’s 2022 State of the Disability Sector Report indicated that, while some aspects of the current framework are working well, others are not. Respondents were concerned that the framework and its implementation did not support quality of services or outcomes.  

The Review Panel wish to explore the balance between developmental, preventative and corrective measures available to the NDIS Commission. 

Providers are also deeply concerned about the uneven playing field between registered and unregistered providers. The issues paper highlights whether the framework and regulatory mechanisms are appropriate in a market where plan management and the number of unregistered providers is growing.   

NDS's consultations with providers and previous reviews of the framework have also identified issues in communication and data-sharing between regulatory bodies, with providers burdened by significant duplicative reporting.