fbpx

SDA Australia Group

All Homes, All Ways

1300 869 203
Book a private viewing
A disability advocate in a wheelchair looks up from her book. behind her is a book case filled with varying law books. She is part of the NDIS Co-Design advocacy group

The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) is listening to the concerns of stakeholders and are making changes to its co-design approach. The changes aim to ensure the most critical reforms to the NDIS receive the attention they deserve, allowing for broader consultation and more time to refine the Scheme’s future direction.

A New Approach to Co-Design

Starting this month, the NDIA is restructuring its co-design working groups, prioritising the most significant reforms and including the introduction of a new planning framework before the end of 2025.

Several concerns have been raised by the disability community, including:

  • The Agency’s co-design efforts have not focused on the most urgent reforms impacting people with disabilities.
  • The speed of change has been overwhelming, limiting the opportunity to explore issues in-depth and speak to the NDIS about the impacts.
  • Content in meetings is often excessive, making it difficult for stakeholders to engage meaningfully.
  • Fear and anxiety exist within the disability community regarding the impact of reforms, with some lamenting the old system of disability being run by the sates.
  • Communication by the NDIA about co-design activities has been insufficient, leading to misunderstandings.

In response, the NDIA is reaffirming its commitment to transparency, collaboration and meaningful engagement in the co-design process.

A woman using an electric wheelchair is about to get into an elevator. She's on her way to a NDIS Co-Design meeting

Upcoming NDIS Reforms

Up to mid – 2031, the NDIA will progressively introduce key changes to the NDIS, ensuring they are tested and refined before broader implementation. Key milestones include:

  • Late 2025: Initial rollout of the new support needs assessments, planning framework, implementation of participant safeguarding systems and flexible budgets, beginning with a small group of participants to test and refine the impact.
  • Mid-2026: Expansion of the new planning framework, participant pathway experience and the introduction of NDIS navigators. More participants in different locations will move to the new framework, including being supported by navigators.
  • Mid-2027: The NDIS is aiming to have the new access processes and request forms out while also expanding the territory of navigator support to more participants.
  • Mid-2026 to mid-2031: Gradual transition of participants to the new planning framework.

While this is all going on, the NDIA states it will continue to work on their efforts in these areas:

  • Fraud prevention
  • Independent living support
  • Increased accessibility for groups like first nations, cultural and linguistic diversity (CALD), LGBTQIASB+, women and girls and other diverse communities
  • Workforce capability and diversity.
Refocusing Co-Design Efforts

To properly implement these changes, the NDIA have decided to pause some planned co-design groups, while others are to continue with a renewed focus. From April to December this year, the following co-design groups will be active:

  • Navigation: Helping to define the role of a NDIS Navigator and ensuring participants get the support they need, when they need it.
  • Assessments and Budgeting: Creating fair and transparent tools for participants to use when they are accessing the scheme, as well as funding key services that support participants to get what they need out of the NDIS.
  • Participant Pathway Experience: Entwining the participant journey with the new framework & planning workforce transition.
  • Participant Safeguarding: Taking another look at the safeguarding processes and risk assessments done to protect participants from fraud and unscrupulous payments.

Each group will be chaired by senior NDIA leaders responsible for implementing reforms, ensuring participant, carers and other stakeholder voices are heard by higher ups at the agency.

A young man with amputated hands talks on video chat on his laptop. He's attending a NDIS Co-Design meeting

To enhance inclusivity in co-design, the NDIA is planning to:

  • Encourage collaboration among co-design groups.
  • Continue consultations with the DRCO (disability representatives and carer organisations) forum, IAC (Independent Advisory Committee) Forum, IAC, and other advisory bodies.
  • Host participant and expert co-design workshops.
  • Expand engagement with diverse disability communities, including CALD, First Nations, LGBTQIASB+, and individuals with complex communication needs.

The NDIA is also planning to improve how it communicates about co-design, including:

  • Quarterly showcases with DRCOs and IAC.
  • A new fortnightly Disability Sector Update.
  • More online information sessions for participants and carers.
  • Publishing meeting summaries and workplans for transparency.
Implementation Timeline

Changes have already begin rolling out. IAC membership for co-design groups will be reviewed, and DRCO representatives will be asked to confirm their participation in specific groups if they are a member of multiple.

By refining its co-design approach, the NDIA aims to foster greater collaboration, transparency and inclusivity in shaping the future of the NDIS. Some stakeholders have doubts about the NDIS’s commitment to changing and introducing further co-design, being burnt on this issue before.

IAC: The Independent Advisory Committee is an independent body made up of 13 members who either have lived experience or strong ties within the disability community.

DRCO: The NDIS works with 27 different disability and carer organisations, looking at legislative changes, reforms & improvements that can be made to the NDIS.