NDIS Taskforce Update - Mandatory Registration
During a recent webinar, the NDIS Provider and Worker Registration Taskforce presented their initial considerations regarding the future of provider and worker regulation and sought input on three proposed ideas. It was emphasized that further deliberation is necessary as the taskforce prepares to provide recommendations to the government.
The establishment of the NDIS Provider and Worker Registration Taskforce aimed to offer guidance on the development and execution of a new risk-proportionate regulatory model outlined in the NDIS Review Final Report. Over the span of two months, the taskforce actively sought feedback from a diverse range of stakeholders, receiving input from over 1000 individuals, 700 submissions, 34 roundtables, and five advisory working groups. There was a resounding call for change and an acknowledgment of the inadequacies of the current regulatory model.
The community is appreciative of the taskforce's efforts and their respectful engagement with these critical issues. Feedback underscored the significance of choice and control, and shed light on the challenges faced by providers due to onerous and bureaucratic registration processes.
The taskforce acknowledged the need for innovation and the insufficiencies of the existing regulatory framework in supporting both providers and participants.
In the webinar, the taskforce expressed their general support for a risk-proportionate and graduated regulatory system that enhances visibility and accountability. Unlike the model put forth in the NDIS Review, the taskforce is refraining from exploring an enrolment category, and instead aims to enhance the visibility of providers offering services to participants.
Additionally, the taskforce is considering streamlining processes to alleviate regulatory burden and facilitate the mutual recognition of other registration requirements.
So what is likely to change? The taskforce shared three ideas that they are exploring:
A narrowed definition of a NDIS provider that focuses on businesses providing disability-specific supports to NDIS participants, as opposed to those that might be available to the general retail market. It’s possible that providers that meet this definition would be subject to a risk-proportionate registration.
‘Light touch’ simple registration arrangements are being considered for participants who are self-directing their supports by using models such as services for one and direct employment. These arrangements would be co-designed with participants and would not apply to all participants who self-manage.
A risk-proportionate worker registration process. The taskforce sees this process as being significantly different to the registration requirements for providers. Designing this would require partnering with participants and workers.
The taskforce underscored the necessity for more detailed information on each of these ideas, and it was unanimously agreed that meticulous planning is essential to mitigate unintended consequences and perverse incentives.
The taskforce intends to conduct five additional roundtables to further develop their initial ideas, with detailed information to be made available on the DSS website on Monday, 27 June.
