National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) participants will have better access to safe supports following the completion of the Annual Pricing Review.
From 1 July 2022, price limits for all NDIS supports delivered by disability support workers will increase by 9 per cent, including a 2 per cent temporary loading in 2022-23, and all current NDIS plan budgets will be automatically increased to account for these price limit changes.
The financial impact of these changes is contained within the existing budgetary projections.
“These improvements will better support participant outcomes and reduce workforce turnover by funding better conditions for NDIS workers,” The Hon. Bill Shorten, Minister for the NDIS and Government services said.
The price limit increase takes into account changes to costs to deliver supports as a result of the ongoing impact of COVID-19, investment in quality and safeguards, the introduction of a minimum shift and broken shift allowance for workers, as well as the Fair Work Commission’s recent wage decision and the increase in the Superannuation Guarantee Charge.
The NDIA will also make up to an extra $514 million available to registered providers of activities of daily living and community participant supports to recognise costs of keeping participants safe, particularly during COVID, and the significant overhead costs incurred by providers this year not previously taken into account.
A robust audit and assurance regime will sit around these payments by which providers, in accepting the payment, undertake to confirm that the amount received relates to actual costs incurred.
“Providers should be commended for improving rostering systems and reforming their business models to prioritise high quality support for participants and retain workers to reduce future cost by improving outcomes for participants,” Minister Shorten said.
“This price review finally recognises the true cost of continuity of support, keeping participants safe and improving systems to drive productivity.
“The Government will continue to work with the sector to ensure the NDIS better supports participants.”
