NDIS establishes task force for improved registration system

Risk-proportionate regulatory model and a new provider risk framework are initiatives in mind.

The minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), Hon Bill Shorten MP, announced the establishment of a new task force aimed at improving outcomes for NDIS participants through better provider and worker registrations.

Ultimately, the task force aims to deliver a report with recommendations by mid-2024, paving the way for a more robust and equitable NDIS regulatory framework.

Led by lawyer and disability advocate Natalie Wade, the task force will work alongside experts such as former ACCC Chair Allan Fels, former ACTU Assistant Secretary Michael Borowick, and former Northern Territory Administrator Vicki O’Halloran.

The task force will provide advice on overhauling the current registration system for NDIS providers and workers, aligning with recommendations from the independent NDIS Review. 

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This includes developing a graduated risk-proportionate regulatory model and a new provider risk framework.

Minister Shorten emphasised the need for transparency and quality in the NDIS market, aiming to ensure no participant is invisible or forgotten. 

The task force's goal is to design a regulatory model that promotes quality and safety while preserving choice and control for participants.

The task force will collaborate with the disability community and NDIS stakeholders to minimise administrative burdens and ensure all providers meet minimum regulatory standards.

It will focus on supporting the rights of people with disability, including those who self-manage, and reducing the risk of harm.