The Government has released an updated list of support services available to National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) participants.
Internet, gym memberships, marriage counselling, wellness coaching and sex services are among the list of things not covered by the NDIS.
The Government flagged it planned to update the list earlier this year. Details of those changes were.
Some disability advocates have raised concerns that the Government did not provide enough notice about the changes, which came into effect today.
NDIS
The NDIS is a government service, established in 2013. It provides support for more than 610,000 Australians living with a disability.
If a person meets an eligibility checklist, they can claim support for assistive technology and objects, or assistance delivered by an NDIS-approved provider.
Participants are allocated a personal budget to help cover everyday items, transport, help with daily activities and broader social interactions. Budgets are calculated based on “what is reasonable and necessary” for each participant.
Changes
Earlier this year, the Government.
It followed years of discussion over cost blowouts associated with the scheme.
Changes to the scheme included removing some support services that can be claimed, which the Government has estimated will save $14.4 billion over the next four years.
Inclusions
The Government has specified what an NDIS participant can claim support for. This includes:
Guide animals
Menstrual products — period underwear and applicators
Mobility devices — wheelchairs, scooters, walkers
Vehicle adjustments — hoists, modified controls and seats in a car
Home modifications — railings, portable ramps, hand-held shower
Hearing and vision aides
Exclusions
In a separate list, the Government has ruled out a host of support services, including:
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Day-to-day food, lifestyle, rent, holiday, and pet costs.
Surrogacy and fertility treatments
Gym memberships
Wellness — e.g. life coaching, career advisors, sports supplements
Sexual services
“Alternative therapies” — e.g. tarot card reading, yoga, aromatherapy
Other supports
If an NDIS participant needs something to manage their disability that isn’t included on the list, they can request it from the body that oversees the NDIS.
NDIS Minister Bill Shorten gave an example of a smartwatch.
“Not everyone on the Scheme should get a smartwatch,” but he said the device could be essential for someone who is required to regularly monitor their body temperature.
However, advocacy group People with Disability Australia said it’s unclear how this process would work.
Government remarks
The list of approved support services was announced earlier this week, two days before it was legislated to come into effect.
There will be a one-year “transition period” to “ensure participants aren’t penalised for simple mistakes”.
This means anyone who mistakenly makes a non-approved purchase of less than $1,500 won’t face punishment.
Bill Shorten said the lists were designed to “bring more clarity and more certainty for all participants in how they can use their [NDIS] budgets.”
Reaction
People with Disability Australia expressed concern about the list “being made available less than two days before they come into effect”.
said she was worried “participants will be confused about what they can access”.
“Some people may go without critical supports because they’re worried they’ll end up with a debt,” Jonkers said.
The Disability Advocacy Network Australia echoed these calls, urging the Government to delay introducing the changes.
