IAC meeting bulletin, 13 February 2025

The Independent Advisory Council (IAC) to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) met online on 13 February 2025. Members discussed the progress on their advice to the Board of the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA), and the issues that NDIS participants have recently been facing. The meeting also included an introduction to the new Minister for the NDIA, the Hon Amanda Rishworth, MP.

Principal Member acknowledgments

Ms Leah van Poppel, IAC Principal Member, welcomed members to the first meeting of 2025. She thanked departing IAC members Jennifer Cullen, Sylvana Mahmic, James Manders, and Dr George Taleporos for their service, and welcomed new members Vaughn Bennison, Associate Professor Lorna Hallahan, Dr Gill Hicks, Jane Wardlaw, and Andrew Vodic.

Ms van Poppel also welcomed the NDIA’s Board Chair, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), and Deputy CEO Service Design and Improvement.

The meeting took place on the 17th anniversary of the National Apology to Australia's First Nations peoples in Federal Parliament. The National Apology was the first formal recognition of past government policies that led to the forced removal of First Nations peoples from their families and communities, which we now know as the ‘Stolen Generations’. It was a significant milestone towards healing for the Stolen Generations, First Nations peoples, families and communities.

What members have heard in their community

IAC members reported key issues raised by NDIS participants, families, carers, and providers.

Members expressed concerns about participants receiving unexpected phone calls for plan reviews, as they receive these calls with no time to prepare for them. Participants report getting documentation after the calls that wasn’t what they expected.

Members noted the impacts or unintended consequences of the Section 10 lists. The government has introduced changes to what is known as the ‘in and out lists,’ as part of a large reform agenda. This is causing a lot of community concern. Members noted how the changes may be limiting the available options in participant plans.

Members noted a move towards participants’ plans being shifted to agency management. They reported this happening to participants without notice. Participants who question the switch, or note that it was done it in error are being told to file a request for an internal review of an eligibility decision (s100). Members are concerned that it can take several months to be resolved.

Minister for National Disability Insurance Scheme

Members welcomed the Hon Amanda Rishworth MP to the meeting, and to her role as Minister for the NDIS.

The Minister noted the IAC plays an important role by making sure participants’ voices are heard. She said she wants to make sure the NDIS’s life-changing role is there for the long term, improving the lives of participants by putting them at the centre of everything the agency does.

Minister Rishworth acknowledged that whole economies have been built around NDIS funding and highlighted the importance of service provision and the principles of co-design.

Minister Rishworth said there is a lot on the government’s reform agenda that still needs to be done, so feedback from the IAC will be very important in making those reforms happen.

IAC advice

The IAC outlined the guiding principles and measures for success that it applies to its advice.

The NDIA’s response to the IAC’s on Enhancing NDIA Practice in Behaviour Support Advice is currently being finalised. Once finalised the advice and the Agencies response will be provided to the Minister

The IAC are continuing work on two other pieces of advice. Participants who are Ageing and Palliative Care Advice.

More information on the IAC

The IAC will next meet on 27 March 2025. Find out more about IAC meetings and bulletins at the IAC website.