As part of the committee’s role to inquire into the implementation, performance and governance of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), the committee has decided to conduct an inquiry into independent assessments under the NDIS.

An independent assessment is an assessment of a person’s functional capacity, which will be used to inform decisions about eligibility for the NDIS and about funding in a participant’s plan. The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) proposes to introduce independent assessments as part of the NDIS access and planning processes in 2021.

Terms of reference

As part of the committee’s role to inquire into the implementation, performance and governance of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), the committee will inquire into and report on independent assessments, with particular reference to:

1. the development, modelling, reasons and justifications for the introduction of independent assessments into the NDIS;
2. the impact of similar policies in other jurisdictions and in the provision of other government services;
3. the human and financial resources needed to effectively implement independent assessments;
4. the independence, qualifications, training, expertise and quality assurance of assessors;
5. the appropriateness of the assessment tools selected for use in independent assessments to determine plan funding;
6. the implications of independent assessments for access to and eligibility for the NDIS;
7. the implications of independent assessments for NDIS planning, including decisions related to funding reasonable and necessary supports;
8. the circumstances in which a person may not be required to complete an independent assessment;
9. opportunities to review or challenge the outcomes of independent assessments;
10. the appropriateness of independent assessments for particular cohorts of people with disability, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people from regional, rural and remote areas, and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds; 
11. the appropriateness of independent assessments for people with particular disability types, including psychosocial disability; and
12. any other related matters

Making a submission

The committee invites submissions. The committee particularly welcomes submissions from people with disability, families and carers; allied health professionals; and representative organisations.

Submissions outlining details of individual cases or complaints may assist the committee in identifying broader systemic issues for investigation. More information about submissions can be found online.

The closing date for submissions is 31 March 2021. Please get in touch if you need an extension of time.

Individual cases

The committee is not in a position to provide advice on individual circumstances, nor is it able to overturn or remake decisions made by the NDIA. People with concerns about these matters should contact the NDIA directly. Further information about making complaints and providing feedback is available on the NDIA’s website.

Confidentiality of personal accounts

Please note that all personal accounts will be considered confidential in the first instance. The committee will then consider whether it is appropriate to make all, or some, of the submission public. If you wish for your submission to remain confidential, please bring this to the attention of the committee when submitting.