Submission to the consultation on New Framework Planning and NDIS Supports
The Australian Government is changing how NDIS participants’ support needs are assessed, how their budgets are worked out and which supports can be funded.
The Australian Autism Alliance supports planning that is clearer and more flexible. But assessments and budgets must reflect what Autistic people need in everyday life, including support that may not be obvious.
The Alliance has made a submission calling for fair assessments, clear funding decisions and quick action when a person’s support needs change.
Here is a short summary of the Alliance’s key recommendations, expanded and evidenced within the formal submission:
- Assess support needs in real life. Look at what people can do across different places and times, and the help they need to do things safely and regularly.
- Make assessments accessible and correct mistakes. Offer communication and sensory adjustments. Let people check their assessment report and correct errors before their budget is decided.
- Explain how budgets are worked out. Show how each person’s needs affect their funding. Do not assume family members can provide unpaid support without checking.
- Allow funding to fit the person. Change standard funding amounts when they do not meet assessed needs. Make it easier to adjust plans when support needs change.
- Protect needed sensory and safety supports. Do not automatically exclude items such as electronic noise-cancelling headphones, fencing or gates when there is evidence of a disability-related need.
- Keep supports in place and check the results. Act quickly when essential support is at risk. Involve Autistic people in testing the changes and fix rules that lead to unfair outcomes.
The Alliance also calls for clear, step-by-step information so participants and families know what will happen, what they can check, who to contact and how to ask for a review.
Download the Alliance’s full submission to learn more about our recommendations for fair NDIS planning and supports for Autistic individuals, the autism community and those who support us.
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