New measures to support NDIS participants and providers through the COVID-19 outbreak

Introduction

People who have returned from anywhere overseas, or have been in close contact with someone confirmed to have COVID-19, are required to self-isolate for 14 days. If you develop symptoms, including a fever and cough, you should immediately and urgently seek medical attention.

This information sheet should be read in conjunction with the ‘What you need to know and ‘Isolation guidance’ information sheets found at www.health.gov.au/covid19-resources

Further information on COVID-19 and what people can do to protect themselves and the people they are caring for is available at www.health.gov.au or on 1800 020 080.

New measures to support NDIS participants and providers

On 21 March 2020, Minister for the NDIS, Stuart Robert announced new measures to ensure essential support is in place for NDIS participants and providers through the COVID-19 outbreak.

For participants, this means:

• face-to-face planning shifted to telephone meetings where possible ensuring continuity of support,
• NDIS plans to be extended up to 24 months
• action plan to ensure NDIS participants and their families continue to receive the essential support they need
• more flexibility in core vs capacity building supports
• proactive outreach to high-risk participants.

For providers, this means:

• financial assistance to providers including advance payments
• 10 per cent COVID-19 loading on some supports
• more generous cancellation pricing
• PPE advice and training resources.

These measures are being put in place by the Department of Social Services, NDIA and the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission (NDIS Commission), working with the Department of Health and state and territory governments.

NDIS Service Providers

Support workers should not attend work if they have a fever, symptoms of a respiratory illness, or are not vaccinated against influenza.

All NDIS service providers must notify the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission of any change to the delivery of their services. More information for NDIS providers and support workers is available on the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission website: www.ndiscommission.gov.au. This includes provider obligations, how to reduce the risk to participants, and links to updates and resources.

What advice is available for the support workers and providers if they, or someone they care for, is at high risk of infection?

The Department of Health has developed specific advice on Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) when looking after people who are confirmed to have, or suspected of having, COVID-19. Information is available at www.health.gov.au/covid19-resources

Further information on COVID-19, and what people can do to protect themselves and the people they are caring for is available at www.health.gov.au or on 1800 020 080.

How will the Government help with the increased financial burden of COVID-19?

The Government is putting in place some measures to give NDIS service providers some financial relief, to help providers remain viable and retain their staff.

Registered NDIS providers may receive a one-month advance payment based on monthly average support delivered in the previous three-month period – to provide immediate cash flow relief.

To cover the additional costs of service delivery for existing supports, a 10 per cent COVID-19 loading will be added to price limits for certain supports for up to six months.

This includes:

• core supports (Assistance with Daily Life (excluding Supported Independent Living) and Assistance with Social and Community Participation)
• capacity building supports (Improved Daily Living).

Additionally, increased flexibility of the NDIA’s cancellation pricing policy will allow providers to charge the full 100 per cent for the price of a cancelled service, and the definition of ‘short notice cancellation’ will also be broadened.

Providers can also continue to claim for the increased use of cleaning and personal protective equipment associated with COVID-19.

Is there training available for workers?

The Department of Health has developed a free training module for support workers, including NDIS service providers, about infection prevention and control for COVID-19, available at covid-19training.com.au/login.php

The Department has also developed a webinar on COVID-19 preparedness for in-home and community aged care. This webinar (https://publish.viostream.com/app/s-n3f4rpt) is also relevant to all providers and workers.

Further work is currently underway to develop measures to source additional support workers to provide high-quality care to NDIS participants should the need arise. This will include the upskilling of displaced workers from other industries and matching existing and new workers to areas where there is a demand for services.

More information

Information for the whole community

For the latest advice, information and resources on COVID-19, go to www.health.gov.au or call the national Coronavirus Health Information Line on 1800 020 080. The information line operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you require translating or interpreting services, call 131 450.

The phone number of each state or territory public health agency is available at www.health.gov.au/state-territory-contacts

Information for providers and workers

Information and resources for NDIS providers and support workers are available through the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission at www.ndiscommission.gov.au or 1800 035 544.

Reference: https://www.ndis.gov.au/news/4659-new-measures-support-ndis-participants-and-providers-through-covid-19

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