❓ A parliamentary question addresses WA's transition to the NDIS, focusing on unmet targets, eligibility assessments, and support for the Auditor General's recommendations. The Minister's response highlights challenges and ongoing support.
AnsweredQoN 631Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
NATIONAL DISABILITY
INSURANCE SCHEME — TRANSITION
631. Hon PETER COLLIER to the Minister for Disability Services:
I refer the minister to the Auditor
General's twenty-fifth report of June 2020 titled ''WA's
Transition to the NDIS''.
(1) Why were the initial targets for
people moving on to the NDIS in Western Australia not met?
(2) Has any
assessment been done of the 3 800 Western Australians with a disability found
to be ineligible for the NDIS on 31 December 2019; and, if not, why not?
(3) If yes to (2), how many have
been found to be eligible for funding?
(4) Will the
minister confirm that the government supports all three recommendations
contained within the report; and, if not, why not?
INSURANCE SCHEME — TRANSITION
631. Hon PETER COLLIER to the Minister for Disability Services:
I refer the minister to the Auditor
General's twenty-fifth report of June 2020 titled ''WA's
Transition to the NDIS''.
(1) Why were the initial targets for
people moving on to the NDIS in Western Australia not met?
(2) Has any
assessment been done of the 3 800 Western Australians with a disability found
to be ineligible for the NDIS on 31 December 2019; and, if not, why not?
(3) If yes to (2), how many have
been found to be eligible for funding?
(4) Will the
minister confirm that the government supports all three recommendations
contained within the report; and, if not, why not?
AnswerView source ↗
I
thank the Leader of the Opposition and the shadow Minister for Disability Services
for some notice of the question . I will say at the outset that I welcomed
the Auditor General's report today that has found that Western Australian
agencies have been largely effective in preparing for the transition to
commonwealth's National Disability Insurance Scheme. As we know, it has
not been without challenges, but we continue to work through those issues.
(1) I am advised
that transition to the NDIS involved a range of responsibilities of both the
commonwealth and the state. The Department of Communities provided the National
Disability Insurance Agency with 23 104 client transition records in a timely
manner and in accordance with its obligations under section 55 of the
commonwealth National Disability Insurance Scheme Act 2013. I am further
advised that all individuals connected to the WA NDIS or receiving state-funded
or provided support will continue to be provided support from the state until
such time as they have an approved NDIS plan.
(2) Eligibility
for the National Disability Insurance Scheme is tested by participants within
the NDIA. Anyone can test their eligibility for the NDIS via the NDIA and any
decision that a person does not meet access criteria can be reviewed internally
under section 100 of the commonwealth act. If the person is unhappy with the
outcome of the internal review, they can apply to Administrative Appeals
Tribunal for an external review and access to NDIS appeal services. If found
ineligible due to age or residency status, they can test their eligibility for
state disability services via contact with the Department of Communities. As at
18 June 2020, the Department of Communities is supporting approximately 307
individuals who do not meet the NDIS access criteria based on their age or
residency. It is of course important to note that the audit was launched in
2018.
(3) Not applicable.
(4) I am advised that the audited agencies, including
the Department of Communities, accept the recommendations contained in
the report. I continue to maintain oversight of this groundbreaking scheme to
ensure that Western Australians with disability, their families and carers
realise the promise of this once-in-a-lifetime reform.
thank the Leader of the Opposition and the shadow Minister for Disability Services
for some notice of the question . I will say at the outset that I welcomed
the Auditor General's report today that has found that Western Australian
agencies have been largely effective in preparing for the transition to
commonwealth's National Disability Insurance Scheme. As we know, it has
not been without challenges, but we continue to work through those issues.
(1) I am advised
that transition to the NDIS involved a range of responsibilities of both the
commonwealth and the state. The Department of Communities provided the National
Disability Insurance Agency with 23 104 client transition records in a timely
manner and in accordance with its obligations under section 55 of the
commonwealth National Disability Insurance Scheme Act 2013. I am further
advised that all individuals connected to the WA NDIS or receiving state-funded
or provided support will continue to be provided support from the state until
such time as they have an approved NDIS plan.
(2) Eligibility
for the National Disability Insurance Scheme is tested by participants within
the NDIA. Anyone can test their eligibility for the NDIS via the NDIA and any
decision that a person does not meet access criteria can be reviewed internally
under section 100 of the commonwealth act. If the person is unhappy with the
outcome of the internal review, they can apply to Administrative Appeals
Tribunal for an external review and access to NDIS appeal services. If found
ineligible due to age or residency status, they can test their eligibility for
state disability services via contact with the Department of Communities. As at
18 June 2020, the Department of Communities is supporting approximately 307
individuals who do not meet the NDIS access criteria based on their age or
residency. It is of course important to note that the audit was launched in
2018.
(3) Not applicable.
(4) I am advised that the audited agencies, including
the Department of Communities, accept the recommendations contained in
the report. I continue to maintain oversight of this groundbreaking scheme to
ensure that Western Australians with disability, their families and carers
realise the promise of this once-in-a-lifetime reform.
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