The Disability Trust welcomes the announcement from the Hon. Bill Shorten, Minister for the NDIS, on an increase in pricing for most NDIS supports. Please refer to the Media release for further details.
The challenges to deliver quality supports within existing pricing arrangements has been at crisis point and an uplift to pricing desperately needed. The Disability Trust has actively participated in the NDIA’s recent pricing review consultations and so we are pleased to see that the government has listened and is acknowledging the challenges providers are experiencing.
The 9% increase to the NDIS price limits for core supports will help to address the cost pressures in delivery of supports to Participants of the Scheme. This increase will cover the Fair Work Commission’s recent welcome minimum wage increase decision and other changes to the SCHADS Award (under which we pay most of our staff) and the significant quality and safeguards regulatory requirements for registered providers. We are also very pleased to finally see recognition for the significant overhead costs incurred by registered providers in the quality and safeguarding of providing participant supports.
This uplift in pricing is a positive step in the right direction that acknowledges the challenges being experienced by the sector and the real issues providers have been facing. The uplift is warranted given the pressure on providers. We are grateful the government, specifically Minister Shorten is listening.
Despite this welcome news, all teams at The Disability Trust need to continue to work together to reduce costs, create efficiencies and drive innovation through our ‘Moving Forward Together’ initiative as we progress the work streams in this important project.
Ed Birt
Acting CEO
The Disability Trust
