RESEARCH PAPER SERIES, 2020–21              4 August 2020

COVID-19: Chronology of Australian Government announcements on disability services

Amanda Biggs, Rebecca Storen and Nikki Corrigan

Social Policy section

Introduction

This chronology provides a brief overview of Australian, state and territory government disability policies arising from the COVID-19 pandemic. It provides a brief explanation of the disability system in Australia; highlights some key issues for people with disability impacted by COVID-19; outlines broad responses and lists announcements from the Australian, state and territory governments in relation to COVID-19 and disability services from 18 March 2020 to the end of June 2020.

Brief overview of the disability system in Australia

National Disability Strategy and National Disability Agreement

The provision of support for people with disability in Australia is guided by a National Disability Strategy and National Disability Agreement. The National Disability Strategy (NDS) 2010–2020 was developed by the Australian, state and territory governments as a ten year plan to improve the lives of people with disability, their families and carers. The NDS has a broader approach than specialist disability services provided under the National Disability Agreement (NDA) and the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and includes a focus on disability and mainstream services and meeting the needs of people with disability.[1] The Australian Government is in the process of developing a new NDS, with a new Strategy expected to come into effect from the start of 2021.[2]

Under the NDA and subsequent agreements,[3] the Australian Government’s responsibilities in the area of disability policy include:

•        provision of employment services for people with disability

•        provision of income support targeted to the needs of people with disability, their families and carers

•        funding and responsibility for aged care

•        establishing the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) to implement the NDIS, which is overseen by the Disability Reform Council (DRC)

•        establishing and administering the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission.

The shared responsibilities between the Australian, state and territory governments include:

•        developing national policy and reform directions

•        contributing to improved continuity between health, aged care and disability services

•        many aspects of the NDIS, including funding, policy development, market stewardship and regulation and service quality.

Each state and territory has developed its own disability plan based on their own circumstances and priorities. State and territory governments have responsibility for delivering the majority of public services essential for people with disability to actively participate in their communities, for example transport and public hospitals.[4]

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) was first introduced in 2013 through a number of trial sites and is now fully rolled out across the country.[5] The NDIS represents a significant policy and funding reform and has brought together a wide range of services under a national umbrella whilst still seeking to provide local connections within a person’s community.

The NDIS is part of a broader system of supports for people with disability and whilst it can provide some assistance to all people with disability–including identifying alternative supports for people who are not eligible for the scheme–the main focus of the scheme is on people with permanent and significant disability. Under the NDIS, people with permanent and significant disability that affects their ability to take part in everyday activities or who would benefit from early intervention receive individualised funding to assist them to meet their personal goals.

Key issues for people with disability and COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has raised a number of concerns for people with disability. The World Health Organization (WHO) identifies six areas that may cause people with disability to be at an increased risk of contracting COVID-19:

•        barriers to implementing basic hygiene measures (for example, hand washing facilities may be physically inaccessible; a person may have physical difficulty rubbing their hands together thoroughly)

•        difficulties in implementing social distancing recommendations due to support needs or accommodation arrangements

•        the need to touch things to obtain information or for physical support

•        barriers to accessible public health information.

Depending on any underlying health condition, people with disability may be at an increased risk of developing severe cases of COVID-19 because:

•        COVID-19 may exacerbate existing health conditions

•        people with disability may experience barriers to accessible health care.[6]

In late March 2020, the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability (Royal Commission) issued a statement of concern about the response to the COVID-19 pandemic for people with disability.[7] The statement indicated that people with disability, particularly First Nations people with disability, may be disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.[8]

Over 70 disability organisations signed an open letter to the National Cabinet on 3 April 2020 that identified areas in need of immediate action from the Australian, state and territory governments.[9] Concerns have also been raised about resource allocation and ethical decision making for people with disability at a time when there is increased demand for critical care both in Australia and internationally.[10]

Overview of Australian Government response for people with disability and COVID-19

In mid-March 2020, the DRC discussed the potential impact of the COVID-19 pandemic for people with disability and the NDIS and agreed to actions to try to prevent or minimise these impacts.[11] As part of the DRC response, the NDIA introduced new measures to better support NDIS participants, workers and providers.[12]

On 3 April 2020, the Australian Government announced it would establish the Advisory Committee for the COVID-19 Response for People with Disability (Advisory Committee).[13] The Advisory Committee was convened to provide expert advice to inform the development of the Management and Operational Plan for People with Disability (the Plan) and to oversee the implementation of the Plan. The Plan was approved by the National Cabinet on 16 April 2020.[14]

The DRC agreed to additional supports for people with disability during its meeting on 9 April 2020, including the establishment of the Disability Information Helpline.

On 15 April 2020, in response to the statement of concern from the Royal Commission, the Minister for Families and Social Services, the Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme and the Minister for Health provided an outline of steps taken by the Commonwealth of Australia in response to the COVID-19 pandemic in relation to people with disability. This document provides an overview of the response of the Australian Government under the identified areas, including a section on activities for First Nations people with disability.

On 19 May 2020 the Advisory Committee’s communique suggested that, as restrictions start to ease, Australian governments should start to consider activities to assist children with disability to return to school and support people with disability to use public transport.

On 21 May 2020, the Australian Government announced that a new national skill set, Entry into Care Roles, had been endorsed by the COVID-19 sub-committee of the Australian Industry and Skills Committee (AISC). This introductory skill set is for both the disability and aged care sectors.[15]

Announcements on disability services and supports and COVID-19 by Australian and state and territory governments

Milestones

Details

Source Documents

18 March 2020

Outcomes were announced following the COAG DRC meeting which ‘discussed a national response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, particularly its potential impact on people with disability and the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)’. The following priorities were agreed at the meeting:

Ensure appropriate consideration is given to people with disability and the disability services sector in the health response, including access to telehealth, infection control training and personal protective equipment.

Ensure the ongoing delivery of core NDIA service delivery as part of the NDIA’s Pandemic Plan, including the shift from face-to-face planning to telephone planning, and the redirecting of NDIA staff and partners to priority service delivery roles that support participants in response to COVID-19.

Ensure the continuation of services to NDIS participants through the extension and increased flexibility of NDIS plans where necessary so that the NDIA can focus on reviewing plans that may require amendment in response to the impact of COVID-19.

Ensure appropriate plans are in place to respond to any workforce shortages that may arise as a result of COVID-19.

Ensure providers are supported to remain viable during the period of impact of COVID-19 and beyond.

S Robert (Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme), Meeting of the COAG Disability Reform Council, media release, 18 March 2020.

21 March 2020

New measures to support NDIS participants, workers and providers through the COVID-19 outbreak were announced by the Australian Government. The measures included:

NDIS plans to be extended by up to 24 months, ensuring continuity of support and increasing capacity of NDIA staff to focus on urgent and required changes to plans.

Face to face planning shifted to telephone meetings where possible.

Action plan to ensure NDIS participants and their families continue to receive the essential disability supports they need.

Proactive outreach to high-risk participants and sharing of data with states and territories to ensure continuity of supports.

Financial assistance to providers to support retention of workers including advance payments, 10 per cent COVID-19 loading on some supports and changes to cancellation policies.

S Robert (Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme), New measures to support NDIS participants and providers through COVID-19, media release, 21 March 2020.

30 March 2020

The South Australian Government announced the introduction of welfare calls for the state’s most vulnerable during the COVID-19 pandemic. Trained staff would contact those who registered for the service to check on their wellbeing.

S Marshall (Premier of South Australia) and M Lensink (Minister for Human Services), New COVID-19 welfare calls activated for our most vulnerable, joint media release, 30 March 2020.

3 April 2020

Announcement by the Australian Government of the establishment of a national advisory group ‘to guide development and implementation of a response plan focusing on the unique health needs of people with disability during the coronavirus pandemic’.

G Hunt (Minister for Health), A Ruston (Minister for Families and Social Services) and S Robert (Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme), Immediate response plan to focus on people with disability during coronavirus, joint media release, 3 April 2020.

5 April 2020

A new collaboration between the NDIA and leading supermarkets was announced. NDIS participants would be able to receive priority home delivery during the COVID-19 pandemic.

S Robert (Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme), NDIS participants to receive priority home delivery from leading supermarkets, media release, 5 April 2020.

7 April 2020

The Queensland Government released a statement outlining support available to people with a disability during COVID-19 pandemic. This support included:

•        Community Recovery Hotline to arrange for the delivery of essentials

•        funding to Queenslanders with Disability Network (QDN) to produce a range of resources to assist people with disability in understanding COVID-19

•        the development of a Person-Centred Emergency Preparedness Planning Tool

•        funding for the Community Services Industry Alliance (CSIA) to develop a Business Continuity Toolkit and guide to support organisations.

C O’Rourke (Minister for Disability Services and Seniors), COVID-19 support for Queenslanders with disability, media release 7 April 2020.

9 April 2020

Additional support for people with a disability was announced by the Australian Government:

An extra $24.5 million will be made available to Australian Disability Enterprises [ADEs] through the Temporary Viability Support program to help organisations transition to new opportunities to create jobs for people with intellectual and cognitive disabilities as the economy recovers.

More than $3 million will extend the Supported Wage System supplementation to 37 ADEs who currently use the system.

Up to $61 million will be available to Disability Employment Service providers as an advance payment of six weeks on service fees to ensure participants can continue to access support during this time.

$2 million will be used to establish a dedicated phone line to provide accessible information, and counselling and outreach services to assist people with disability.

A Ruston (Minister for Families and Social Services) and S Robert (Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme), Supporting Australians most at risk in the wake of coronavirus, joint media release 9 April 2020.

16 April 2020

The Western Australian Government launched a free essential shopping delivery service for vulnerable individuals isolated in their homes, including people with a disability.

S Dawson (Minister for Disability Services), Essential shopping service launches for people with disability, media release, 16 April 2020.

18 April 2020

The National Cabinet announced it had agreed to release and begin implementing the Management and Operational Plan for COVID-19 for People with Disability. The Plan provides ‘high-level guidance on a range of factors that need to be considered in managing and preventing the transmission of COVID-19 for people with disability’.

G Hunt (Minister for Health), A Ruston (Minister for Families and Social Services) and S Robert (Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme), Protecting the lives of Australians with disability during coronavirus, joint media release, 18 April 2020.

21 April 2020

The Australian Capital Territory Government welcomed the release of the Management and Operational Plan for COVID-19 for People with Disability. The ACT Government stated it was also developing an ACT Disability COVID-19 Strategy to address some of the local issues not covered in the national plan.

S Orr (Minister for Disability) and R Stephen-Smith (Minister for Health), More support for Canberrans living with disability during COVID-19, joint media release, 21 April 2020.

23 April 2020

The Australian Government announced further changes to student visa work conditions affecting the aged care and disability workforce.

International students studying relevant medical courses will be exempt from the usual 40-hour per fortnight work limit, if they are working in support of coronavirus health efforts and at the direction of the relevant health authority. International students currently working for registered disability service providers will also be exempt.

A Tudge (Acting Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs), G Hunt (Minister for Health) and S Robert (Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme), Boosting health and disability worker numbers during the coronavirus, joint media release, 23 April 2020.

The Australian Government announced $400 million for the Partners in the Community grants program, to deliver frontline Local Area Coordination Services for the NDIS in NSW.

S Robert (Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme), $400 million for frontline NDIS services in NSW, media release, 23 April 2020.

27 April 2020

Further initiatives to support NDIS participants and providers through COVID-19 were announced by the Australian Government. These include:

For the next five months, eligible participants will be able to flexibly use existing NDIS plan funding to purchase low-cost Assistive Technology, including smart devices, to enable continued access to disability supports through telehealth and telepractice while physical distancing regulations are in place for coronavirus pandemic.

… new support items for Supported Independent Living (SIL) providers are now available where a participant has been diagnosed with the Coronavirus, including higher intensity support and professional cleaning services.

… downloadable Access Request and Supporting Evidence Forms are now available on the NDIS website.

S Robert (Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme), Further initiatives to support NDIS participants and providers during coronavirus pandemic, media release, 27 April 2020.

28 April 2020

The Australian Government announced that 500,000 face masks would be provided for the disability sector, to be distributed evenly between Primary Health Networks and the NDIA.

G Hunt (Minister for Health), Doorstop interview about the COVIDSafe app and coronavirus (COVID-19), transcript, 28 April 2020.

1 May 2020

The Western Australian Government launched a Jobs in WA Disability Services website to reduce the time and effort required to apply for jobs in the disability sector, particularly for those whose employment has been affected by COVID-19.

S Dawson (Minister for Disability Services), Jobs in WA Disability Services website launches, media release, 1 May 2020.

6 May 2020

The Victorian Government announced funding of $17 million for additional services to support people with a disability during COVID-19. Initiatives included:

•        new Disability Liaison Officers in health services

•        additional funding for advocacy organisations

•        additional respite care hours for carers

•        extension of Home and Community Care Program for Younger People

•        additional funding for organisations helping Victorians with psychosocial disabilities

•        expansion of the Department of Health and Human Services Intensive Support Team

•        additional funding for the Office of the Public Advocate

•        additional funding to help smaller not-for-profit services with infection control and business continuity

•        partnership with the Victorian Disability Advisory Council to provide information.

L Donnellan (Minister for Disability, Ageing and Carers), Supporting Victorians with disability during coronavirus, media release, 6 May 2020.

11 May 2020

The COAG Disability Reform Council meeting communique discussed national efforts to support people with a disability through the COVID-19 pandemic. The meeting noted the Coronavirus response measures implemented so far, including implementation of the Management and Operational Plan for People with Disability. The Advisory Committee will monitor its ongoing implementation. Several recent measures were highlighted, particularly in relation to the disability workforce.

Council of Australian Governments Disability Reform Council, Communique, COAG DRC Meeting, 11 May 2020.

New data released from the Australian Government showing around 27,500 people with disability joined the NDIS in the first quarter of 2020.

S Robert (Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme), Morrison Government continues rollout of the NDIS in face of coronavirus, media release, 11 May 2020.

12 May 2020

The South Australian Government introduced legislative changes to ‘keep South Australians safe during the COVID-19 pandemic’. They included measures that allow community visitors and the Chief Psychiatrist to visit and inspect mental health and disability services remotely, through audio-visual or other electronic means.

V Chapman (Attorney-General), New protections for South Australians during the COVID-19 pandemic, media release, 12 May 2020.

18 May 2020

The ACT Government launched the ACT COVID-19 Disability Strategy.

S Orr (Minister for Disability), ACT COVID-19 disability strategy to provide more support to vulnerable Canberrans, media release, 18 May 2020.

19 May 2020

The Northern Territory Government announced it would match Australian Government funding of $400,000 to provide low cost infection control training for businesses in the NT, including in the disability sector. 

M Cash (Minister for Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business) and P Kirby (NT Acting Minister for Workforce Training), $800,000 for infection control training for territory businesses, joint media release, 19 May 2020.

21 May 2020

The Australian Government announced the development of new training qualifications for the aged care and disability support workforce ‘to deal with the challenges put by COVID-19’. The new Entry into Care Roles skill set ‘will provide foundational knowledge and skills, including safe work practices and infection prevention procedures’.

M Cash (Minister for Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business) and S Irons (Assistant Minister for Vocational Education, Training and Apprenticeships), New skill set to support aged and disability sectors joint media release, 21 May 2020.

The Western Australian Government announced it would defer transition to the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission until 1 December 2020, to allow disability providers to better focus on critical support issues for people with disability during the COVID-19 pandemic. It would also provide $2 million via the Sector Transition Fund to help the disability sector meet the requirements of the NDIS Commission.

S Dawson (Minister for Disability Services), More time for transition to Quality and Safeguards Commission, media release, 21 May 2020.

12 June 2020

Post-coronavirus changes to the NDIS, to apply from 1 July 2020, were announced:

•        removal of temporary 10 per cent price loading on certain core and capacity building supports;

•        definition of cancellation period is reduced from 10 days to levels under the previous policy; and

•        Medium Term Accommodation (MTA) period will be returned to the original policy of 90 days (rolled back from 180 days).

The changes followed a review of temporary measures to support participants and disability providers during the pandemic.

S Robert (Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme), Update on NDIS coronavirus response, media release, 12 June 2020.

26 June 2020

Following the launch of the ACT COVID-19 Disability Strategy, the ACT Government announced support to people with disability, their families, carers and the disability sector in their response to COVID-19. Funding under the first phase included:

•        $100,000 for both Aged, Disability and Carer Advocacy Service (ADACAS) and Advocacy for Inclusion (AFI) to provide individual advocacy for people with disability to be delivered through health settings.

•        $110,000 to National Disability Services to be a central point of contact to support necessary collaborations in the ACT disability sector allowing people to get consistent information in a timely manner.

•        $40,000 to create a targeted communication partnership for engaging people who are vulnerable and isolated.

•        $50,000 to ensure that thin markets in the disability sector remain viable including services that provide specialist supports such as positive behaviour support.

•        Continued support to ensure that people with disability and their supporters can access Personal Protective Equipment as they need to.

S Orr (Minister for Disability), More funding to support Canberrans with disability, media release, 26 June 2020.

© Commonwealth of Australia

Creative Commons

With the exception of the Commonwealth Coat of Arms, and to the extent that copyright subsists in a third party, this publication, its logo and front page design are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Australia licence.

In essence, you are free to copy and communicate this work in its current form for all non-commercial purposes, as long as you attribute the work to the author and abide by the other licence terms. The work cannot be adapted or modified in any way. Content from this publication should be attributed in the following way: Author(s), Title of publication, Series Name and No, Publisher, Date.

To the extent that copyright subsists in third party quotes it remains with the original owner and permission may be required to reuse the material.

Inquiries regarding the licence and any use of the publication are welcome to webmanager@aph.gov.au.

This work has been prepared to support the work of the Australian Parliament using information available at the time of production. The views expressed do not reflect an official position of the Parliamentary Library, nor do they constitute professional legal opinion.

Any concerns or complaints should be directed to the Parliamentary Librarian. Parliamentary Library staff are available to discuss the contents of publications with Senators and Members and their staff. To access this service, clients may contact the author or the Library’s Central Enquiry Point for referral.

[1].               Productivity Commission, Review of the National Disability Agreement, Study Report, Productivity Commission, Canberra, 2019.

[2].               Department of Social Services (DSS), ‘Developing the new National Disability Strategy’, DSS website, last updated 13 December 2019.

[3].               For example, the Bilateral Agreements between the Commonwealth of Australia and each state and territory governments on the National Disability Insurance Scheme. In its Review of the National Disability Agreement study report, the Productivity Commission recommended that a new NDA was needed at least in part because of the extensive changes to the disability policy landscape since the current NDA was signed in 2008.

[4].               DSS, National Disability Strategy 2010-2020: Progress Report to the Council of Australian Governments 2016, DSS, Canberra, 2016.

[5].               S Robert (Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme), Delivering the NDIS: roll-out complete across Australia as Christmas and Cocos Islands join world-leading scheme, media release, 1 July 2020.

[6].               World Health Organization (WHO), Disability considerations during the COVID-19 outbreak, WHO, Geneva, 2020.

[7].               Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability, Disability Royal Commission calls for urgent action, media release, 26 March 2020.

[8].               Ibid.

[9].               Disabled People’s Organisations Australia (DPOA), ‘An open letter to the National Cabinet: Immediate actions required for Australians with disability in response to Coronavirus (COVID19)’, DPOA website, 8 April 2020.

[10].               R Banks, A Byrnes, K Cocks, M Davis, G Innes, R Kayess, R McCallum and J Leach Scully, Statement of concern: COVID-19: human rights, disability and ethical decision-making, commissioned by People with Disability Australia, Women with Disabilities Australia, National Ethnic Disability Alliance, Australian Federation of Disability Organisations, First Peoples Disability Network and ACT Council of Social Services Inc., 2020.

[11].               Disability Reform Council (DRC), Communique, Telepresence, 18 March 2020.

[12].               S Robert (Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme), New measures to support NDIS participants and providers through COVID-19, media release, 21 March 2020.

[13].               G Hunt (Minister for Health), A Ruston (Minister for Families and Social Services) and S Robert (Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme), Immediate response plan to focus on people with disability during coronavirus, media release, 2 April 2020.

[14].               G Hunt (Minister for Health), A Ruston (Minister for Families and Social Services) and S Robert (Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme), Protecting the lives of Australians with disability during coronavirus, media release, 18 April 2020.

[15].               M Cash (Minister for Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business) and S Irons (Assistant Minister for Vocational Education, Training and Apprenticeships), New skill set to support aged and disability sectors media release, 21 May 2020.