Summary -19 November 2019

On 19 November 2019, the NDIS Commission Disability Sector Consultative Committee (the Committee) met for the first time.

This Committee is made up of people currently working in the disability sector to assist the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commissioner (the Commissioner) in delivering its core functions.

“The NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission (NDIS Commission) is an independent agency established in 2018 to regulate NDIS providers, provide national consistency, promote safety and quality services, resolve problems and identify areas for improvement.”

Read more about the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission here.

An Industry Consultative Committee has also been established parallel to this Committee, for a broader perspective.

The Disability Sector Consultative Committee provides high-level evidence-based advice to the Commissioner on “national issues which influence the delivery of quality and safe NDIS supports and services.” 

The initial meeting covered general overviews and future working arrangements but key themes to come out of the meeting are listed below:

  • participant access to quality and safe evidence-based supports and services, as it relates to the NDIS Commission market oversight role
  • oversight of unregistered providers
  • thin markets and impact on participant choice and control, particularly in regards to behaviour support
  • advice on managing providers’ potential conflicts of interest when delivering multiple support types
  • workforce capability and the professionalisation of disability workers
  • effective information sharing arrangements between the NDIS Commission and other regulatory agencies
  • a need for high quality, values-based support material for the disability sector relating to quality and safety matters
  • engagement and consultation with key disability organisations to support accessibility of the NDIS Commission’s services and communication materials.

The items listed above will be used by the NDIS Safeguard Commission for regulatory advice, future meeting agendas and identifying research requirements.

The Committee will meet three times a year, with the next meeting scheduled for 10 March 2020.

Read the official NDIS Disability Sector Consultive Committee Communique here.