The Australian Government is consulting on a new registration system for NDIS providers.
In January, the Summer Foundation provided a response to the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission’s consultation on the design of the registration category for NDIS participants who self-direct their supports.
The Summer Foundation’s position is that the considered design of the system of proportionate regulation—including this component (people who self-direct their supports)—is key to ensuring that the NDIS can achieve its original intent of supporting the independence and social and economic participation of people with disabiliity.
We made 7 key recommendations:
- Create a regulation system that encourages new housing and support opportunities for people with disability.
- Make sure government information is clear and easy to understand so participants know their rights and responsibilities.
- Only remove self-direction as a last resort based on risk to the participant.
- Design the regulation system with input from people with disability, including their role in monitoring and compliance.
- Define self-direction to include all ways workers can be involved.
- Ensure the Self-Directed Supports category is easy for all NDIS participants to understand and use.
- Value and invest in peer networks and resources to help participants understand their rights and responsibilities.