NDIS Mission Critical: May Edition

NDIS Mission Critical is DSC’s quick briefing for CEOs, Boards, and senior management on critical NDIS issues.

Countdown to DSC’s Annual NDIS Conference

With Labor’s recent election victory, there are big questions emerging about the future of the NDIS, including who will be the Minister and whether it will return to its own dedicated cabinet portfolio. In less than two weeks' time, the sector will come together in Melbourne and online for DSC’s Annual NDIS Conference. Join us to explore the future of NDIS 2.0, including a dynamic panel conversation led by ABC journalist Patricia Karvelas that will unpack the election result and what it could mean for the disability sector.

Tickets on sale now: DSC’s Annual NDIS Conference

2024/2025 APR Commitment

Each year, the NDIA conducts its Annual Pricing Review (APR) before releasing the new Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits (PAPL). Because the APR considers changes to awards and minimum wages set by the Fair Work Commission (FWC), the Agency says the APR won’t be finalised until after the review decision. The NDIA has committed to releasing the 2024–25 APR within five working days of the FWC’s announcement, with new pricing to come into effect from 1 July 2025. In recent years, the FWC has been released between 2 and 16 June.

New Operational Guidelines

The NDIA has updated a number of its operational guidelines over the last couple of months, including on:

Some of these operational guidelines are still being updated. You can keep up-to-date on new guidelines as they come out here: Recent Content- NDIS Operational Guidelines.

Gender-based undervaluation in SCHADS

In June 2024, the Fair Work Commission (FWC) committed to undertake a review of systemic underpayment in Awards in female-dominated sectors. In April 2025, the Expert Panel issued its initial decision that workers covered by five awards, including the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award (SCHADS), have been the subject of gender-based undervaluation. The FWC first increased the minimum wage rates in the Pharmacy Industry Award by 14.1%, with further variations still under consideration for the four other priority Awards, including the SCHADS Award.

With the review, two formal applications were made by unions to vary the SCHADS Award, including varying the definition of 'home care sector' and the classification definitions at each level. The FWC held conferences on changes to the SCHADS Award in early May, with final changes to come.

More details of the Review can be found on the Fair Work Commission website.

Co-design update

From April 2025, the NDIA refined its co-design approach to focus on key NDIS reform areas: Navigation, Assessment and Budgeting, Participant Pathway Experience, and Participant Safeguarding. Other co-design activities, such as Home and Living, Integrity, and Workforce Capability, will pause until the next phase of reform.

Learn more: Co-designing reform- NDIS.

Needs Assessments

The NDIA plans to introduce needs assessments later this year. This will be a major change that will reshape how participant plans are developed. Unlike functional assessments (which assess a person’s ability to perform tasks), needs assessments will determine what supports a person actually requires.

The NDIA recently sought tenders for needs assessment tools for people aged 16+, and requests for information on tools for children and for specific supports like assistive technology and home modifications. Although rollout was originally planned for May 2025, the federal election has delayed timelines. Testing is expected between April and September 2025, with full rollout from September onwards. The NDIA plans to build a 1,000-person workforce to deliver these assessments, including people with allied health backgrounds, lived experience or disability experience. Full transition to the new system is expected within five years.

Learn more: An update on needs assessments.

Independent Review in Music and Art Therapy

The NDIA has now received Dr Stephen Duckett’s independent review into music and art therapy, following backlash over an earlier proposal to reduce therapy pricing to community participation rates. The Agency will consider Dr Duckett’s recommendations when updating operational guidelines and the PAPL over coming months. Until then, there are no changes to the current billing rate of $193.99/hour for art and music therapy. The final report, along with the NDIA’s response and accessible formats, will be published publicly.

Freedom Care Banned

The NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission has permanently banned Freedom Care Group from the NDIS, following a joint investigation with the NDIA that found the provider had fraudulently claimed nearly $340,000 for services not delivered to incarcerated participants. The investigation, conducted through the Fraud Fusion Taskforce, exposed systemic breaches of the NDIS Code of Conduct, including a lack of integrity and transparency. Commissioner Louise Glanville stressed the Commission’s commitment to protecting the rights of people with disability and maintaining the integrity of the NDIS, warning that serious action will be taken against any providers who fail in their duties.

Learn more on the NDIS Commission’s website.

Former NDIA employee convicted and sentenced over data breach

A former NDIA employee has been sentenced to 2 ½ years imprisonment to be served as an Intensive Corrections Order in the community, with 300 hours of community service and a $4000 fine. This comes after the former employee pled guilty to improperly accessing and disclosing protected information and abusing their public office. The offences, committed in 2022 and 2023, were investigated by the Fraud Fusion Taskforce, which arrested the individual in November 2023. NDIA CEO Rebecca Falkingham reaffirmed the Agency’s commitment to data protection and participant safety, emphasising a zero-tolerance stance on fraud. Affected participants have been supported, though the NDIA has withheld further comment due to ongoing legal matters. Since 2022, the Taskforce has conducted over 500 investigations to strengthen the Scheme’s integrity.

Learn more: NDIA’s website.