30 March 2019
MEDIA RELEASE
Major disability service provider Life Without Barriers has welcomed today’s announcement by Social Services Minister Paul Fletcher of changes to pricing for services delivered under the NDIS.
Life Without Barriers Chief Executive Claire Robbs said this delivers greater assurance for people with disability in being able to choose from sustainable providers that best suit them. The Government’s announcement assures funding is available for disability services which better meet the real costs of delivering services. A key change is that funding for Attendant Care and Community Participation services, which provide critical personal care and skills building and community access supports for people with complex and more significant needs is rising by up to 15%.
“We welcome this announcement from the Government today with great enthusiasm. It means we can continue to be a reliable and viable provider offering cost effective essential services to NDIS participants to improve people’s quality of life and remain connected to the community.
“Ensuring providers such as ourselves can sustainably deliver quality disability supports under the NDIS means that participants will be able to have choice and control in how they want those services delivered. It will also allow us to meet the growing demand for services as the NDIS is fully rolled out across Australia.
“We are pleased the government recognises the importance of providers being able to offer services that don’t compromise on quality, but that are cost effective for people. I am pleased we have been able to partner with Government which listened to the sector and to people with disability to implement these changes.”
While welcoming the new pricing arrangements, Ms Robbs said that Life Without Barriers will continue to work to make necessary improvements to other parts of the NDIS to ensure its ongoing success.
“The NDIS is a world-first scheme and we are proud to be a part of it. As with anything new, there will be changes and improvements we need to make as it grows to ensure that it is successful for everyone.
“We look forward to working with the NDIA and the government into the future to improve the NDIS, particularly on issues around covering the cost of transport to provide services to people with disability in rural and regional areas; and better and more coordinated servicing for NDIS participants with complex needs.”
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