Disability Sector welcomes stronger registration system to benefit participants of the NDIS

A formal partnership of Australia’s largest disability service providers, the Alliance20 have applauded the announcement by Minister for the NDIS, Mr Bill Shorten, on the establishment of a new NDIS registration system, including mandatory registration of platform and Supported Independent Living (SIL) providers.

The new regulatory system will be stood up following detailed advice from the NDIS Provider and Worker Registration Taskforce that urgent attention was needed to close gaps in the regulation of providers in the NDIS. These gaps have led to a problematic lack of oversight of those responsible for delivering services through the NDIS and potentially left people with disability vulnerable to exploitation.

Alliance20 spokesperson, Ms. Claire Robbs said the sector representing registered providers welcomed the announcement, believing it is a big step forward in ensuring all providers embrace accountability in delivering for people with disability.

“The NDIS is fundamentally about people with disability and the scheme therefore must work for them and be structured in a way to offer protection and assurance of quality of services they choose.” she said.

“Safeguarding is a founding principle and necessity of the NDIS and as registered service providers we take our responsibility in safeguarding participants incredibly seriously."

“When the provider community is embracing an announcement of regulation and oversight, then that speaks volumes for the Government in this being a solid step forward for people with disability and the NDIS.”

The new system will tighten regulations for providers and will require all support coordinators and Supported Independent Living and Platform providers to be registered as part of the new approach. The Federal Government has also committed to a detailed consultation process with people with disability in designing the new regulatory model.

“We are very pleased to see the Government committing to a codesign process with people with disability as part of todays announcement," said Ms Robbs.

“We know the NDIS performs at its best when it recognises the unique and individual choices of people with disability and the best way to ensure ongoing reforms are the strongest they can be is by ensuring changes are led by people with disability."

Alliance20 continues to work in partnership with people with disability, government and the sector to strengthen services under the NDIS. The Alliance20 will also continue to engage and support consultation on the NDIS rules including NDIS Practice Standards for SIL providers.