Omg holy cow I forgot to tell everyone I won my Tribunal!!! It took way too long but here I am. I also wanted to say that I posted over a year ago asking for advice on tribunal. There were many people I had who commented telling me to quit, that is wasn’t worth it… I came to this page to get advice but I just got discouraged. Thankfully I didn’t listen and now I’ve been approved under ASD 1 and

Inattentive ADHD, I just want to remind people to be kind and encourage people to keep fighting if they are going into tribunal. I understand not everyone wins, but it is better to try than not to try.

l have 1:4 STR respite funding. l live in Victoria l dont want to stay in a share or communal house where l have to share facilities with people l dont know. With 1:4 funding would it be possible to stay somewhere like a private unit, cabin or apartment where l have my own private kitchen and bathroom, For example a location where theres a number of units or apartments all together and each disabled person has their own unit or apartment in the same place, ? or does 1:4 mean l have to stay in a communal house and share bathroom and kitchen with other disabled people l dont know.

A few days ago I was in the Myers centre food court in Brisbane. I passed a table with two people sitting at it. One was clearly a teenage young man with downs syndrome. He was smiling and waving at those passing by. A face of pure joy and happiness, we all know how happy and infectiously joyous those with Downs syndrome can be. How much fun they are to be near.. The other person was his NDIS support worker who was glued to his smart phone watching a European soccer game. I kept thinking you are being paid very well to look after and safeguard this young man. Do your job!!!. Turn the phone off, out it away talk to the young man and hellp him to safely engage with those around him. My first job out of high school in NZ nearly 40 years ago was with the NZ IHC society. The charity that back then supported families with down syndrome children and down syndrome adults. So I knew with one glance this support worker was doing everything wrong..

Help. I have an OT company that have informed me that they are allowed to bill me a week in advance of the service being rendered as long as the invoice has the correct service date on it. How do I find out if this is correct and allowed/legal under the NDIS guidelines?

I'm a participant and my provider have been subject to a Payment Integrity Review Manual Payment Lock. Each claim they make to my plan is held and evidence is requested. This has been going on for 11 months for them. They are an honest bunch of people and seem like they've been unluckily targeted by this department. My husband and I review their invoices with a fine-tooth comb and they have never overbilled or done the wrong thing. What can I do to help them? I feel extremely sad for them and it's affecting my mental health. They've only released 40k so far from the 250k they've billed in the last year.

Hellooo

Not sure if I’ve chosen the right flair, but late last year (2025) I was diagnosed with Level 1 Autism (nearly diagnosed level 2), I’ve also been diagnosed with ADHD and got diagnosed with dyslexia when I was 12 (currently I’m 23)

Is it possible for me to be able to get funding through the NDIS? I know that I won’t need a support worker but I feel like I would benefit greatly from seeing a Psychologist/Counsellor/Therapist — I’ve kind of seen that it’s hard for people with Level 1 Autism to get NDIS funding but has anyone here ever gotten funding with Level 1?

I guess I just wanted to provide my experience, maybe it'll help someone because I felt completely lost and out of my debth in these past two years deal with with NDIS.

Tldr: I was awarded what I asked for and they admitted fault. But it took two years

Long and short is I am a 32 year old F who is profoundly deaf, I'm otherwise pretty independent or try my best. I was diagnosed with a rapidly deteriorating hearing condition when I was 23, and due to the severity of my hearing I was fitted as a paediatric under the hearing support services program with hearing aids, however I aged out of at 26.

Hearing Australia have helped me through my many years, they prepared me and transitioned me into the NDIS.

With NDIS I've never asked a lot, just low coat technology for the home, and some auslan. My original plan wasn't a lot totaling to about 4k per year as technology and repairs are expensive.

In November of 2023, I had a plan review, easy smooth everything was fine but I had 3 massive drops in my hearing and after much tinkering with my hearing aids. They were now old, and not functioning correctly and a request was made to the ndia for new hearing aids.

Here were it gets messy... The NDIS kept sending me templates in July, reporting they were mandatory documents - they are not. We still filled them. A lot of these tests are unscientific tests. No audiologist from the ndia reviewed my evidence. They called my husband - listed as an emergency contact. They further denied me to an nrs call three times during this phone calls, stating they do not facilitate nrs. But they told my husband I won't be getting hearing aids as I can get them free from the hearing support services program, though I was no longer eligible. They reported I was basically double dipping and I was "preferring" a more expensive model.

The next day I got an email from my LAC, they had commenced a plan review at the same time to my husband, who is just an emergency contact. They cut my funding and changed it to a 3 year plan. They cut auslan to 5 hours per year and AT to $500 per year.. my entire plan was now $4000 over three years........

We applied for a plan review. I was offered an nrs call however they ghosted me in emails, they then stated no evidence was supplied their decision stands.

We applied for tribunal in August of 2024.

Our first case conference was quickly scheduled. Now February of 2025. They opted for teams which I had to contact via nrs.. they basically forgot I was there. I had asked for face to face, they "forgot". After this case conference I was firm that NO meetings were to be had unless they were face to face.

They asked questions, my self and my OT answered them.

Pretty straightforward. They constantly forgot I needed face to face supports, no one understands nrs. It's not your job to ensure these agencies understand these communication systems. By this time we finally got an advocate. It's important to know the advocate is there to help proof read, keep things on track but they cannot speak to the ndia or art for you. They're merely a supportive roll but they've been so vital in keeping my head on my shoulders.

Nothing you write in these statements and no amount of evidence will ever be good enough for these solicitors, they are trying to break you.

We would debunk one thing with ot and audiologist for them to move the bench posts.

They will consistently "forget" the timeline they agreed too. Email them and be firm "you are x days late with this document. When will I be expected to receive it?" And cc in the registry.

It for my came to the second case conference, they were told to prepare for consultation hearing. I didn't hear from them and neither did the registry for 3 months, they were in complete breach. It's mid 2025 at this point.

They basically said they wanted to go straight to a hearing. They had not once proved I was eligible for free hearing aids. They repeatedly said my hearing aid choice was a preference and for auslan they basically said 5 hours per year is enough to become fluent.

That's it, it was super easy for me to debunk.. It came down to tribunal 4/5 of Feb. On the 3rd at 530pm they submitted a document that basically said I had mental health and an intellectual disorder so I'm able to get higher level free technology from a free government service as well as now apparently I can just have surgery and they reported they requested "multiple" times for ent reviews and I was withholding evidence. The intellectual disorder they was referring to was dyslexia.

This sent me spiralling but it was this document that undid themselves.

They wrote in their first rejection report that I was eligible for the free service because I'm on dsp (I am not) but I do have a crn. I have a voucher that pays for batteries through hearing Australia. You can get free higher technology hearing aids but you have to be under 26 or over 50 and in special cases having something that significantly impacts speech like blindess, dementia, or a mental health disorder that impacts your self care and ability to attend appointments.

They had stated originally this voucher could not be canceled, and if it was I would be penalized without support until 2028. However their new report said I could cancel it if I had an ENT report. Further their first report stated there was no evidence of any mental health issues, which forgoes their argument in so mentally unwell I should qualify for this program. They even tried to tell me the report given the night before was written by an audiologist, despite having no author and writing about my mental health, issues I do not currently have.

This is where their own legislation comes in handy, use their words against them. I spent hours pulling their own policy, definitions, and even parlement documents. I constantly quoted them. They state clearly you can cancel this voucher if you like and that even if you do qualify for these supports, you may still be partially funded, as a lot of these services hold a gap fee, approximately $5500.

Basically the art solicitors asked me the elebiligy criteria for this free scheme, and as soon as I said I had not received centerlink since 2021 he looked them in the eye and said "I guess this throws your whole argument out the window".

It's taken from November 2023 until February 2026 to get to this point. There is so much I've left out. I have now been award my hearing aids, and 30 hours of auslan per year.

They've never had a case. They just wanted to delay this as long as possible to not pay out. They acknowledged fault at tribunal and actually apologized, however, I made sure they were aware how diacrimatory this process is.

I'm happy with the outcome but so angry that it came this far. I'm fearful of the future considering how much they can make up, and how much you can provide to reflect they are wrong.

Hi everyone,

I’m looking for clarification around sleepover shifts under SCHADS Award and NDIS billing.

Example scenario:

• Support worker shift: 10:00 PM – 6:00 AM (sleepover)

• Client required support from 10:00 PM – 11:00 PM (awake and needing assistance).

• From 11:00 PM – 6:00 AM the worker is asleep unless needed.

For payroll purposes, I understand under the SCHADS Award the worker receives:

• Sleepover allowance for the overnight period, plus

• Payment for any work performed if they are woken up (minimum 1 hour at overtime/night rate).

So my question is:

If the worker actively supports the participant from 10–11 PM, can the provider:

1. Charge the sleepover block rate (11–6), and

2. Also charge 1 hour of active support for the wake period (10-11),

or is that hour expected to be included within the sleepover pricing?

If anyone has clarification with references from the NDIS Pricing Arrangements or SCHADS Award, I’d really appreciate it.

Thanks!

I really don’t have the energy to explain but I’m desperate and don’t know what else to do. I tried NRMA, RACV and the company the services my chair. None can help. My support coordinator has been look and can’t find anything.

My wheelchair is immovable and I have no idea what to do. I’m safe so I can’t exactly call an ambulance. I just can’t mobilise.

At the tribunal for access, the NDIS required an ‘independent’ OT report. On my lawyer’s advice, I reluctantly agreed. The OT lacked experience with my disabilities, and despite my concerns, the NDIS refused to change them. The in-home assessment caused severe psychological harm, and the report contains 100+ errors and omissions.

I’ve since obtained a far more thorough report from a specialist OT, but now there are conflicting reports.

My question is if the tribunal accepts my specialist OT’s report and I’m granted access, what happens to the incorrect report on my file? Can it be formally noted as inaccurate? Could it affect my future plan, and how can I mitigate any impact?

Please don’t comment that I shouldn’t have consented to their OT — that’s an extremely sore point.

Possibly every appointment, I'm not quite sure. I really don't have the money right now, usually I would claim the invoice on the day and pay them when I'm paid, I cannot claim invoices for the future and they wanted payment over the phone. Is this right? I know there are some exceptions for specialized services but these guys just want the money or they won't book the appointment. I've never encountered this before.

I have a friend working as a SW and after being employed for 9 months she l’s been diagnosed with ADHD (and probably thinks she must have more undiagnosed conditions, like autism).

She didn’t disclosed the ADHD diagnosis to the company, would she be all right?

Same thing happened to me, ADHD just diagnosed and I’m about to start working for a different provider and haven’t disclosed any of that.

Thanks

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NDIS under pressure ‘Overwhelming sense of doom’: NDIS support cuts leave families in fear – and there are more to come Many small changes since 2024 have ‘added up to one big cut’, advocates say, and the two biggest changes are due to roll out this year

Alittle over a year ago, Bonnie’s hair started falling out. The then 30-year-old went to see a dermatologist, who asked if something stressful had happened in her life recently. Bonnie knew instantly what it was.

The Australian government had passed new legislation related to the national disability insurance scheme (NDIS) and she was terrified it would strip her sister Claire* of the essential supports that enabled her to live a beautiful and rich life.

Without those supports, Bonnie feared Claire would be “left to rot” in a group home.

Claire, also in her 30s, has a degenerative condition. She uses a wheelchair, is blind and needs assistance with many tasks, including toileting, dressing, moving in and out of her chair, and with some communication.

“We often say she should be a poster girl for the NDIS,” says Claire’s mother, Alice*.

But when legislative changes to the scheme were introduced in October 2024, the family became terrified that this one-to-one support, and all it enables, would be taken away.

In the months since, as they’ve seen reports of NDIS participants having their plans cut, or in some cases being reassessed and removed from the NDIS entirely, their anxiety has grown.

Bonnie’s hair started falling out, Alice stopped being able to talk about the future without crying, and Claire’s 70-year-old father went back to work full-time, “because we don’t know what’s going to happen and we just can’t trust that the support will be there any more,” Bonnie says.

It’s a fear shared by many NDIS participants who have been left reeling from a suite of legislative changes designed to curb the cost to the budget of the NDIS – which has been projected to rise from $44.3bn in 2024 to more than $90bn by the end of the decade.

And it’s just the beginning. The most significant changes in the history of the NDIS are set to be introduced over the next 12 months. Participants, their families, allied health professionals, disability advocates, and lawyers have told Guardian Australia that the NDIS is on a precipice, facing dramatic changes to its entire setup that could threaten its very purpose.

“We’re just completely terrified about how this is all going to go,” Bonnie says. “It’s just this overwhelming sense of doom.”

What changed? Participants have been experiencing changes to the NDIS at breakneck speed since the legislation, titled the Getting the NDIS Back on Track bill, commenced in October 2024.

Many of these changes are, on the face of it, small and undramatic: new definitions of the supports that can be funded, funding caps for certain therapies and limits on travel costs for allied health workers, the implementation of “funding periods” which mean funding can only be spent in a particular time period, among other things.

“Basically, we have really complex changes in the legislation … that has enabled the NDIA to clamp down on people’s access to funding in a lot of ways that all add up to one big cut,” Sarah Langston, the president of the Australian Neurodivergent Parents Association, told the Guardian late last year.

A government spokesperson says the changes are necessary to preserve the NDIS for future generations, telling Guardian Australia in a statement that after “a decade of neglect” under the former government “costs ballooned out of control”.

“Since October 2022, the NDIS Actuary projected that without Labor’s action, scheme expenses would have increased by $45bn,” they say.

Some say the changes have forced them to be hospitalised, or have led to regressions in their capacity; some fear they will be forced out of independent living into a group home or aged care facility. Others have said the changes have led to such acute distress that they are considering suicide or assisted dying.

Dr George Taleporos, the independent chair of Every Australian Counts and a leading disability advocate, says the past 18 months have been “a very difficult period for our community”.

“Complicated changes that make our lives harder are happening faster than they can be understood, with very little notice or explanation,” he says. “There is growing fear in our community that our essential supports will be stripped away.”

For many, the fear has been made worse by a feeling of betrayal. Many of the changes followed a wholesale review of the NDIS, which was handed down in 2023 – a review that Taleporos says “raised expectations that participants would have a better and fairer experience”.

“But our community is saying that their experiences with the NDIS have become more difficult, more confusing, and more stressful. This gap between what was promised and what people are experiencing has damaged trust and led to a higher level of fear and apprehension about what’s to come.”

‘Robo-planning’ Even as people are still wrapping their heads around these changes, the NDIA has announced two more for 2026.

The first is a dramatic shift in the way that support plans for NDIS participants are determined and the funding available to them is calculated.

Currently, this is done through an interview with an NDIA staff member, who uses that information alongside medical evidence provided by the participant to calculate a bespoke funding plan.

This model is not without its issues, with advocates saying they sometimes see dramatically different plans for people with very similar disabilities and circumstances.

The NDIA says it will introduce a new model for determining plans in response to calls for more consistency and fairness. In September, it announced it had procured an online tool called the Instrument for the Classification and Assessment of Support Needs (I-CAN), which will be rolled out from mid-2026.

However, advocates have grave concerns about the rollout of the I-CAN process, in particular concerns that it has not been tested and validated on a broad enough range of disability groups and diverse communities; that it will be used by people without allied health backgrounds; and that it drastically reduces the amount of human involvement and oversight in the determination of plans.

Advocates have slammed the new system as “robo-planning” and a “nightmare scenario” for disabled people. They have called for transparency around how the tool works, and particularly the basis for it making funding recommendations.

“It would be like saying: ‘Certain parts of our tax system, you just have to trust the algorithm. The algorithm decides how much tax you owe us each year. You don’t need to worry your pretty head about it, just put the numbers in and we’ll tell you.’ No one would put up with that, would they?”

A government spokesperson defends the new tool, saying: “The size of a person’s plan shouldn’t be determined by which planner they get or how much they can afford to pay for allied health reports.”

They add: “The rules and policy arrangements to support New Framework Planning are currently being developed in consultation with disability representatives and state and territory governments.”

Taleporos says advocates are “deeply concerned about” the changes.

“These assessments are expected to be carried out by agency staff without allied health qualifications, by people who don’t know us, people that we have never met,” he says. “The results are expected to be translated into budgets through computer systems that could be hard to understand and hard to challenge.”

Another part of this change, as revealed by Guardian Australia in December, is a dramatic reduction in appeal rights. The administrative review tribunal (ART) – the appeal body of last resort for NDIS participants – will no longer have the ability to alter a person’s plan and increase the amount of funding they receive, in most cases.

About five years ago, Claire got a new NDIS plan which gave her access to supported disability accommodation, meaning she would share a home and a support worker with at least two other NDIS participants – people she did not know and would have no choice in.

Her family were able, through a successful appeal to the ART, to argue that given the severity of her complex health needs, the plan was completely inappropriate and unsafe. The plan was overturned and the tribunal ruled Claire should be entitled to one-to-one 24-hour support.

“If there’s no way to appeal the outcome of the model, that’s absolutely cooked,” Bonnie says. “It’s just astounding that we’ve got here.”

A spokesperson for the NDIA says the agency: “acknowledges any period of change can be uncertain for participants and their supporters” and said they were “continuing to consult with participants, families, carers and the broader disability community to make sure the new process, including the Support Needs Assessment, works for all participants.”

Thriving Kids The second major change coming to the NDIS in 2026 is the introduction of the Thriving Kids program, which will see children aged eight and under with “mild to moderate developmental delay and autism” removed from the scheme entirely and provided with early intervention support in other contexts, run largely through the state governments.

In August, the federal health minister, Mark Butler, said the change was about cutting the NDIS’s budget, which has increased dramatically beyond predictions, and “returning the scheme to its original purpose – its North Star – the provision of support ‘to people with significant and permanent care and support needs’.”

In February, the government announced more detail about the program, saying it would be focused on the early identification of children’s issues; building the skills of parents to assist their children; and speedy access to targeted support from trained allied health workers, including speech pathologists, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, audiologists and psychologists.

While some groups have cautiously welcomed the scheme, many advocates have raised concerns – including questions about which conditions will be classified under “developmental delay”; the threshold at which someone’s condition will be judged to be “mild to moderate”; and the focus on delivering services in school and childcare settings, as many kids with these disabilities are unable to participate in mainstream educational services.

“One of my strongest concerns … is the assumption that parents can, or should, take on the role of their child’s therapist through increased access to information and online programs,” says Lexy Wilson, the clinical director and senior speech pathologist at Climb Learning. Wilson has been working with children with developmental disabilities for more than 20 years.

“These families are some of the most resilient, proactive and committed people in our community, but they are already carrying an enormous load. Expecting them to deliver therapy on top of parenting risks burnout and places children’s outcomes in jeopardy.”

A government spokesperson says: “Children with permanent and significant disability – including those with developmental delay and/or autism with high support needs – will continue to be eligible for the NDIS.”

They add that access criteria for the Thriving Kids program is being developed as part of a “staged rollout” with full commencement set for 1 January 2028.

They also say the Thriving Kids Advisory Group, which includes experts from a range of fields, has recommended the program as “the best way to help parents and families build their own skills and networks and better connect with targeted services that support Australian children”.

Wilson warns of the importance of getting this right, saying that getting this change wrong will cause “so much more strain on the NDIS in 10 years’ time”.

“I understand there is a view that the NDIS is ‘broken’, but that does not mean well-established evidence-based early intervention models should be dismantled or thrown out in the name of reducing budgets. The stakes are too high.”

My participant has a boyfriend who also gets support but he often stays at my participant’s house on weekends and doesn’t get any support when he is there. He often comes with us when we go out places. What does the NDIS say about one support worker taking 2 participants when they only support one of them?

I wanted to share my experience going through the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART) to review decisions made by the NDIA.

Context: I am currently on the home stretch. I’ve made it past the initial hurdles and now I am waiting for the a hearing in a few months.

My Background: I’m ASD Level 2 with ADHD and a whole cocktail of anxiety issues. Back in 2024, I put in a 'Change of Circumstances' request to get increased funding. As I’m sure many of you are experiencing right now, the NDIA didn’t just reject the increase—they went scorched earth. They actively reduced my funding across every single category, even removing some entirely.

To add insult to injury, they claimed I had "mismanaged" my self-managed funds and stripped me of my right to self-manage. They provided zero evidence for this claim, naturally. (For the record, I prefer self-management because dealing with a computer is infinitely better than dealing with Plan Managers and that forced swap was really hard on me).

I went for an Internal Review, which ended with the exact same outcome. Expected, but still infuriating. So, I applied for an external review at the Tribunal.

The Reality Check: Good News & Bad News

For anyone considering taking this step, here is the lay of the land:

• The Good News: If you have solid evidence, your request is covered by the legislation, and you stick to your guns, you will likely get what you’re after before you ever step foot in a hearing room.

• The Bad News: There is a very good chance you will have to represent yourself. Also, and I cannot stress this enough: The NDIA are not your friends. They are the respondent, and you are the applicant. Their lawyers will try very, very hard to make you doubt your sanity, demand damaging evidence, drag this out for as long as possible and bully you into dropping the case.

Here is how the process actually plays out, stage by stage.
Just a note: I am not a lawyer as much as it feels like I could apply after going through this shit.

Step 0: The Avalanche of Documents

Once you apply, the NDIA (or their army of lawyers) has 28 days to send you the T-Documents (Tribunal Documents).

By law, this file must contain every document they used to make the decision you are fighting. If a piece of evidence isn’t in there, it effectively doesn’t exist right now unless they have a very good reason.

They are also required to provide a "Statement of Issues." Theoretically, this explains their legal stance. In reality, it’s usually just a long list of "We don’t agree to [Item X] because of [semi-plausible reason we just made up on the spot]."

Stage 1: Case Conferences (The "Pull Your Hair Out" Stage)

This is where you, the NDIA, the NDIA’s lawyer, and an ART Registrar/Mediator get on a call. There will likely be several of these. This is the war of attrition.

The NDIA will ask for more evidence. Read this carefully: You are not required to provide them with anything they ask for. You should only provide things that benefit your case. Absolutely refuse to hand over anything that might damage your position.

In my case, I had a new functional assessment done by my OT (this was a big benefit for my position). The NDIA also wanted me, my psych, OT, and family members to answer some "targeted questions." Honestly? These questions were mostly useless, though I still had my OT and Psych do them, I didn't do the ones they wanted me to do. If they ask you to do this, read the questions first. If they are stupid or irrelevant, just refuse. It’s a massive time sink that added months to this process and is seemingly designed to burn you out.

Their Strategy:

This stage is the longest part of the process (I spent nearly a year here). You need to understand the NDIA’s tactic:

1. You submit new evidence.

2. They say "Our position remains the same."

3. Rinse and Repeat for months

Do not get discouraged. This is a legal tactic designed to make you give up. Their lawyers didn't even seem to be reading my documents at stage and all the stuff they sent me was so clearly copy pasta that my name changed half a dozen times on the same document. Shout out to the lawyers who are earning the big NDIA bucks and cannot even check if the persons name is correct.

Once you feel you have enough evidence (not when they say you do), tell them you want to move to the next stage. This is your choice. Don’t let them bully you into spinning your wheels forever.

Tip: Before moving on, send your own "Statement of Issues" to the NDIA and the ART. This makes sure your views are on record at this stage. List clearly:

• What you are prepared to drop (if anything).

• What you are prepared to make concessions on.

• What you are not moving on at all.

I dropped one minor thing, made small concessions to align with my OT’s report, and held the line on the rest.

Stage 2: Conciliation (The Jekyll and Hyde Stage)

We finally move to Conciliation. Unlike the Case Conferences, this is short—likely only a few hours. Everyone from the previous calls is there, but the vibe shifts drastically from "gathering info" to "making a deal."

This is where they usually cave.

If you haven’t let them bully you into dropping your claims, and your evidence is backed by the legislation, the NDIA suddenly undergoes a full Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde transformation. It is genuinely ironic that the agency responsible for supporting people with complex behavioral needs ends up displaying the most volatile, unstable behavior in the room—honestly, if a participant acted this erratically, they’d qualify for top-tier funding on the spot.

In my case, despite consistent filings saying "not enough evidence" for months—including one filed just before this meeting—they suddenly gave in to almost every demand in my Statement of Issues. It was total whiplash: they went from "Absolutely not, this is unjustified" to "Sure, sounds reasonable, here you go" in the blink of an eye.

The Result: My funding increased by 160% total. Those issues are now resolved without needing a hearing.

The Cold Hard Truth: Why They Cave (The Risk Calculation)

I want to try and figure out why this sudden reversal likely happens, because it feels insane when you are living through it.

For the first year (Stage 1), the NDIA lawyers are essentially running on autopilot. They are delegated tasks to "deny and delay," likely hoping you just give up. They aren't really reading your reports; they are just copy-pasting "not enough evidence."

But once you push past Conciliation to a full Hearing, the math changes. It stops being about "saving money" and becomes a Risk Assessment.

Here is the actual calculation they are doing: from 2023, the average cost for the Agency to take a case to an ART hearing is roughly $29,899.

If you are asking for a massive increase, you might think they would fight harder. But the logic is actually the opposite:

1. Scenario A (They fight and lose): They have to pay the $30k hearing costs PLUS the money for the plan.

2. Scenario B (They fold now): They only pay the for the plan.

3. Scenario C (They fight and win): They still have to pay the $30k in hearing costs

If your evidence is strong and they think they will lose, fighting is just setting an extra $30k on fire. That is why they suddenly folded during conciliation—they knew they were going to lose, and it finally became clear I wasn't going to drop it.

The Absurdity of the System: However, this logic gets weird when it comes to "Principles" or "Policy."

While they handed over a massive increase without a fight because the evidence was strong, they are dragging me to a full hearing over headphones (worth maybe $300) and self-management (worth $0).

Financially, this is stupid. They are going to spend ~$30k in legal fees to stop me from buying a $300 item. But they are likely doing it because they want to set a precedent under the new legislation and they think they have strong grounds to do so.

So, the lesson is: Make sure your evidence is bulletproof. If you can make them believe they are going to lose, the "Risk Assessment" calculator in their head will likely force them to fold on the money for most things. They will only fight if they think they can win on a point of law or they have some internal policy preventing them from giving in.

Stage 3: The Hearing (The Final Boss)

Anything you couldn't agree on in Conciliation now moves to a full Hearing. This is where I am now.

The Process:

1. Logistics: You agree on the format (Phone, Teams, or In-Person) and any disability adjustments you need.

2. Statement of Facts (Applicant): You submit a document stating exactly what supports are still at issue, why their decision is wrong, and what evidence you rely on.

3. Statement of Facts (Respondent): The NDIA gets a month to review your document and write their own version (basically the same thing in reverse).

4. Witnesses: You agree on who will be called to speak.

5. Hearing: You finally go before a member and they review the matters at issue. Unlike other courts this is called a full merits review. The Member's job is to look at all the evidence in the shoes of the decision maker. They are not going to look at if the previous decisions were wrong themselves only what the decision should be now with the evidence they have before them.

Now, I wait. It’s about a 5-month gap between Conciliation and the Hearing date.

What I’m still fighting for:

1. Assistive Technology (Noise Cancelling Headphones): They recently changed the legislation/guidelines on this, and the NDIA thinks that’s enough to auto-reject them. I think they are in for a harder fight than they expect, especially since there has been recent cases on similar issues that have won. However, even with that it’s likely a coin toss.

2. Restoring OT Funding: This is weird because I have massive evidence (multiple FCA reports) and they restored/increased everything else with similar evidence. I suspect this just slipped through the cracks because their lawyers don't pay attention. I doubt this will be rejected by the Tribunal.

3. Self-Management: This is the big one. I am incredibly confident on this issue. Frankly, I’m shocked they are letting it go to a hearing. They are currently sitting on breaches of administrative law by taking this to a hearing with literally zero evidence of mismanagement. My goal here isn't just to win; it’s to have the NDIA humiliated on the public record. Guess we will see if i can pull that off or not but here's hoping.

So, that’s where I’m at. It is a brutal, exhausting, pull your hair out process, and I wouldn't wish to do it again. But if you have the evidence, don't let them slash all your funding and think they can get away with it. I will update once the hearing is finished in a few months.

Has anyone else been through the ART? How did it go for you? Did they concede before the hearing, or did you have to go the full distance? And if you went to a hearing, who won?

Can anyone share their experiences and frustrations with co-workers as a Disability Support Worker?

Not just new staff but people that have been in the industry a long time and have either forgotten the basics of working with people with disabilities or just don't care anymore. Personally my frustrations (lately) are mostly infantilism and de-skilling of the people we work with. Essentially them being treated like children (when they are adults) and having everything done for them, for example being fed when they have the ability to self feed with some encouragement or prompting. Also when trying to encourage and teach socially acceptable behavior or to prompt learning of unsafe social cues with others (like hugging strangers in public or other staff) the public/staff usually just say "Oh they're okay" or "I like hugs" etc etc. It's extremely frustrating to work toward something every single day and when you have a small success it's immediately taken away by someone else, and puts both myself and the person I support back to square one, if not further back.

Am I alone in this or is it becoming across the board?

 l was wondering if l went on the private holiday where l paid the accomodation cost myself and l needed my support worker to drive me there and provide some support on the holiday and assuming l have the funds in my core , how many hours per week could l use my support worker on the holiday, if my plan says l have 6 hours a week support worker funding but for example needed the support worker for 20 hours in that week and l have enough funds in the core would that be possible, would l need to get persmission or could l just go ahead assuming l have the funds in core

What a joke... What was the point of that? Whoever said you just pull your hair out is correct.

It almost feels like high-school mentality - a bunch of high paid lawyers acting like they're on your side or impartial, before they hit you with unanswerable questions or request evidence they know isn't related to anything and will overwhelm you.

They're not on your side - their job is to overwhelm you and make you drop the case.

So I made a post awhile back trying to gauge if a 60/40 percent sub-contract agreement is 'industry standard" for a level 2 SC role, as well as PRC and social work (my qualification). We were in talks to negotiate a permanent part time contract but has asked that it build upto a FT position. I pay my own tax, insurance and don't get any superannuation paid.

I'm currently a sole trader through my own ABN as a support worker and have approx. 25 participants as SC/PRC through the provider for the SC work. Most of my income comes from a child I support as a support worker.

The provider/company I work with has come back and said the only way to make it work is if they onboard MY PRIVATE PARTICIPANTS. This was after I said I could only do part time and don't want to overcommit. Not only this but has said if I hit 15 billable hours per week (currently averaging 8-10) consistently, then he's willing to negotiate an increase to the 60/40 rate. Apparently has significant overheads to have me on board, yet all I have access to is Astalty and a outlook email 🤦🏻‍♂️

I'm incredibly sad because I love my participants and can't let most of them go easily, at least not without a significant amount of work to find appropriate recommendations. I receive absolutely no benefit from the sub-contract and could manage completely on my own..

I've definitely learnt the hard way!

Of course, as soon as I start to do the work myself, I get an email saying that a support coordinator has been found. It’s frustrating, but it’s good news to finally make some progress on things.

I’m quick to get things moving, organising a time and place to meet with him. I didn’t like the idea of a stranger being in my home, so a cafe was a nice neutral place. On my way there, I reached out to my mother, I just … didn’t want to be alone, all I wanted was a familiar face beside me to anchor me.

Firstly, he was late (and because of that I now have a parking ticket fml) and within seconds, I was practically brushed off and ignored. At a table of four chairs, he chose to sit in front of mother, and not me. Then, he asked her if this setting was okay and not too noisy and overwhelming, before then asking me if it was okay.

As the conversation continued, I noticed that he was talking to her about everything; the plan, the funding, supports. Several times, my mother would laugh a little awkwardly and try to push the conversation to me, she also said a few times that she was just there for moral support. This continued through the entire meeting.

Then, he pulled up my plan and started to explain it to me — he told me that it was a basic plan, that I’d need a review of my needs to see what I needed. I said that I knew this, that I had this explained to me — I said that I was aware I needed an OT report to assess my needs and capacity. He continued to go through the report … stating exactly what I had just said I knew.

He asked me if I was working and I said I was still looking. He asked what education I had and I told him … only for him to ask it three more fucking times ??

When he said that I should go back to studying, I told me straight blunt that I was so fucking burned out I could barely function. I don’t think he really understood what that meant.

As we stated to go through my support network, I basically shrugged and said that I took care of myself. I do the chores and manage the house, my fiance supports me how any normal partner would. Honestly? All i was really going to ask for was a cleaner to come to my home maybe once or twice a month when I’m overwhelmed and burned out and he kinda ? Just pushed all that onto my fiance to do, as if he doesn’t have a job or his own mental health.

There was a moment where he was taking about supports, which I had also been made aware of and told him, and … I felt so irritated when he specifically pointed out a dietician. Yes, I mentioned that I wanted to eat healthy / regularly in general, but when he asked what I ate, it was almost as if he couldn’t compute the words I said.

I said that all I needed was easier access and help to get prepared meals — Light and Easy / Youfoodz. I told him that I hated cooking. The noice, the heat, the process is something I hated and then, my god, this man says in the same breath that the support can get me to cooking.

I felt like everything I had just said was ignored. I am not asking for someone to cook for me, to help me cook, I am asking for some easier access to ready made meals because I know that works for me. And my god, the way he looked at me when I said I didn’t eat much? It felt so judgemental (I’ve recently put on weight from medication so I already feel like shit)

I mentioned that I had a car and I drove, that things in regard to public transport were useless to me due that and then, when it came to asking me about getting to apportionments, of i had a car and could drive ???

All through this he keeps talking to my mother instead of me, as if I’m unable to make my own thoughts or choices and it just felt … humiliating? I don’t know, it’s my first time being treated like this. I’m tired, I have a migraine, I’m getting a parking fine I can’t afford and I’m just going to curl up in a ball and cry for the rest of my day, that is now shitty.

Niche question, but let’s go.

I’m coming up to Perth to get fitted for a wheelchair by Motum.

Just looking to hear the experiences of my wheelchair brethren who may have attended this (probably) fine establishment.

Before you ask; no I don't have support coordination funding as the previous support coordinator misused funds and spent them all too quickly while I was out of the country.

I believe when my plan resets(?) I'll be awarded more support coordination findings but not entirely sure.

I'm in need of good support workers and I honestly don't know where to find them. I've tried more readily accessible platforms like HireUp but the quality of workers on those platforms have been straight up garbage. Often not following instructions to the point it feels like they need a support worker to help them do their support worker job, or they have very shady profiles such as having zero, or near zero bookings, or they only work 1 or 2 shifts because its convenient as they're in between jobs.

I've tried using HireUps very own relationships management program but even that was useless as they violated my expressed boundaries (not relevant to the topic so I'll leave it at that).

I'm just so burnt out on using these platforms and I don't want to be exploited or violated either.

Where can I find good, consistent, long term support workers?

For reference, I'm based in Sydney.

Who are people finding good currently? I've been with First2Care and up until the portal stopped recognising my password weeks ago so I cannot submit invoices I was very happy with them. I am no longer happy with them as they seem more concerned with their IT glitch than fixing my problem.

In my core budget its broken into sections, such as certain amounts of funds for gardening, support workers , house cleaning. When your plan expires and they consider funding for the new plan, do they look at how much you spend for each thing when considering funding. For example if l didnt spend any of the funds allocated to house cleaning and instead spent it on support workers, would they know and would it matter as what you spend in core is flexable.

Is anyone here who works 38-40 hours a week? Can anyone give me tips on how I can get more stable or full time hours?

I’ve sat with this story for a long time before sharing it. It’s confronting, it’s upsetting, and it still weighs on me, but I believe it’s important.

This happened in 2020, while I was working as an occupational therapist for a allied health therapies provider based in Victoria, Queensland and NSW. I won’t use names or identifying details for obvious reasons.

I was recruited into a senior OT role at a paediatric clinic that marketed itself as neuro-affirming and positioned itself as an ethical alternative to behavioural therapy. At the time, this felt hopeful. In 2020, the idea of neurodiversity-affirming practice was new, rare, and framed as socially just. I wanted to believe in it.

Very quickly, it became clear that something was deeply wrong.

The clinic openly promoted books and programs claiming to cure autism and ADHD, through restrictive diets, brain “balancing”, and other unproven methods. These weren’t hidden fringe resources; they were displayed for families to see. The underlying message was clear: neurodivergence can be cured, and modern medicine was to blame for neurodivergence.

During COVID lockdowns, the service continued face-to-face therapy. Masks were initially refused because leadership believed autistic children “couldn’t understand communication” without seeing a therapist’s mouth. Positive cases and close contacts were never reported to health authorities. It took escalation to the Victorian Health Minister’s office before basic PPE was provided by management.

Therapy was advertised as “play-based”. It wasn’t. It was rigid, compliance-driven, and highly controlled. Children were expected to complete a strict sequence of tasks regardless of distress. Staff were trained in how to physically prevent children from leaving activities. For some children, we were instructed to lock clinic doors to stop them “running away”.

Cameras were installed throughout the clinic without informed consent, including eventually in staff-only areas. Parents were not allowed to observe sessions and were told to wait outside or in the waiting room.

Incident reporting existed in policy only. The unwritten rule was that you only documented incidents if a child had visible bruising or if they broke the skin and made you bleed. Even then, most reports were ignored.

Myself and other OT’s raised concerns. Repeatedly. Internally. Externally. We contacted regulators, the NDIA and Q&S. We were told that unless we reported individual clinicians for specific incidents, nothing could be done about systemic practices. The organisation itself was never investigated.

At the end of my probation, while I was in COVID isolation, my employment was terminated effective immediately. The company denied me access to the clinical resources I had brought into the clinic including assessment tools. I was devastated, but also profoundly relieved to be out of an environment I believed was unsafe and unethical.

I’m heavily involved in the neurodevelopmental space, but this experience left me with lasting concern about how neuro-affirming practice can be used, and sometimes misused.

Despite how confidently the term is marketed, there is currently no agreed definition or evidence-based framework for neurodiversity-affirming practice.

As recently as 2025, Flower et al. stated: “There is no known consensus on what neurodiversity affirming practice entails.” and “There is no clear agreement on what neurodiversity affirming psychology practice involves.”

When a practice has no clear scope, no agreed standards, and no robust evidence base, it becomes dangerously easy for anything to be justified under a values-based label, including practices that are controlling, restrictive, and cruel.

I am not defending traditional behavioural models, nor suggesting ABA is a better alternative. I am saying that good intentions do not replace evidence, and social justice theory does not protect people from harm.

The organisation I worked for was never held accountable. It later went into liquidation due to the specific program they were using being proven to have no clinical evidence for efficacy (not due to company practices). The same leadership now operates other disability services across multiple cities and states.

There are excellent, ethical clinicians and services out there. But there are also dodgy providers, and they often rely on silence, power imbalances, young or inexperienced staff, and feel-good language to continue operating unchecked.

If you’re questioning whether a provider is legitimate or concerning, consider the following:

Disability is NOT something that can be, nor needs to be healed or cured. Claims of curing, rewiring the brain, or guaranteed outcomes are major red flags. The role of a clinician in this space is to foster independence, and support people to live their best life in a world that is not designed for them. (This is not limited to autism and ADHD, but all disability).

“Neuro-affirming” is not a model of care, it is a social justice concept that reappropriates existing strategies such as client centered practice, strengths based approaches, and resell them as a unique and entirely new theory. Clinicians NEED to be able to explain how and why their intervention works, and should be able to provide you with evidence to support the intervention they are providing.

Families should be allowed to understand and observe therapy (where appropriate) and give informed consent, including for video recording.

Locked doors, forced task completion, restraint, or prioritising obedience over wellbeing are serious warning signs.

Ethical services welcome questions and act on safety concerns. Defensiveness, minimisation, or secrecy are not normal.

If something feels wrong, it probably is.

Lived experience is important for guiding ethical practice, but it should complement, not replace evidence, peer review, and professional accountability. Every person is unique, and their experience of disability is equally as unique, what works for me, may not work for you. If we rely solely on lived experience, we risk treading into pseudo-science.

If this helps even one clinician, parent, or PWD pause, question, or walk away from a harmful service, then sharing it is worth it.

Edit: I have adjusted the format because apparently it is too AI :)

Original post:

I'm naming them: Genesis Capital bought Southern Cross Support Services and Programmed Care and rebranded this merged entity as Kanda.

If you, your family, or friends rely on NDIS supports, be aware of big money "roll ups".

A roll up is where investors, such as private equity firms, acquire and merge smaller operators.

While the argument for doing this is to make businesses more efficient and reduce costs through economy of scale, the motive of private equity firms is "profit-first", and may see the needs of disabled people put second to the "needs" of shareholders and directors, and these disabled people becoming collateral damage in business deals.

Example:

Genesis Capital purchased NDIS operators Southern Cross Support Services and Programmed Care and rebranded this merged entity as Kanda.

The directors of Kanda are also the beneficial owners of residential homes that their NDIS services are provided in, with this potential conflict of interest categorically denied by Kanda management.

These directors tried to force their clients/tenants to new homes managed by Kanda's new owners. They used coercion and threats of homelessness to force compliance, so they could sell the homes for their personal benefit, while selling the support business and "client list" to private equity.

This is what happened to my mum who has a cognitive impairment.

The Australian Government has decided that disability supports are best provided by for-profit companies rather than publicly-owned services. I definitely see benefits to the market system - mum was easily able to choose another provider for example - but when the profit motive and the needs of vulnerable people directly compete, it is very clear what the priority is.

If you notice dodgy actions from an NDIS provider, check who owns it. It may tell you a lot

Hello everyone,

As there isn't much specific information online I wanted to ask a couple questions targeted at anyone who has applied to become an NDIS Behaviour Support Practitioner in the last several months. Firstly, I wondered how long did the process take for you? I have been told a minimum of 4-6 weeks, but just wondered if anyone has experienced a different time frame.

3.5 weeks in, my application is still sitting at "submitted". Will the status change once an assessor has been assigned? If so, how long should I expect it to take once an assessor has been assigned.

Was there anything that delayed your application?

If it is relevant I have taken the "alternative assessment" route for my application.

Thank you!

I am looking at changing jobs soon as my current job and boss aren't great for my health. I have POTS, hEDS, ADHD, and a collection of permanent injuries in both of my hands and back that somewhat limit my movement and strength. I don't qualify for NDIS support myself unfortunately even though it would really help a lot. I do at least have some good days where I am "normal" and able to get stuff done like I used to. My family keep insisting that I should become a support worker with the NDIS like they are. They all say it can be easy work just taking people out shopping or a coffee, or helping the client do some basic housework. I wouldn't need much strength or energy to do that apparently. If so, then great! but I'm not so sure it's going to be that easy or even possible.

My main concern is I don't think I could pass the first aid course because of the CPR portion. I most likely would pass out because of my POTS if I had to do compressions for two straight minutes, especially if I had to do breaths as part of it. Also my wrists don't bend backwards that far without significant pain. Is it possible to be a support worker without a first aid and CPR certificate and get hired? Logistically, am I too disabled to work with disabled people?

Hello,

As per the title I’m wondering if I hire a support worker to take someone on an outing do I need to pay for their lunch, entry fees (if needed) or petrol costs if they are using their own vehicle? Or is all that included in the hourly pricing if I use someone like hire up ?

It’s the first time possibly using

a support worker and I’m not sure on protocol.

Thank you

Text Public servant charged over alleged $5 million NDIS fraud

A National Disability Insurance Agency employee has been charged with allegedly defrauding the NDIS after $5 million worth of suspicious claims were found.

The Darwin man, aged 47, is accused of referring vulnerable members of the community to an NDIS provider business he co-owned.

Since 2019, the business has claimed more than $28 million in NDIS funding, with about $5 million of those claims identified as suspicious by authorities.

Yesterday the Australian Federal Police carried out search warrants at a Lee Point home, a Durack business, and Yarrawonga businesses in the Darwin region.

They seized documents and electronic devices, including laptops, for further examination.

The 47-year-old man was charged with multiple offences, including fraud and abusing public office.

The investigation is ongoing.

Anybody with suspicions about NDIS-related fraud is urged to contact the helpline on 1800 650 717, or fill out an online form.

I have two children using NDIS for speechie, OT and psychology. All are independent and request each others notes / documents. How do you currently manage this?

Some also communicate via email, others via text. It’s all a jumbled mess. Any ideas ?

I saw this of fb I’d heard about the large number of reviews of eligibility that NDIA are doing from a video of a parliamentary committee, but this is a better way to understand the new rules. I’m researching a lot of information before I go to ART.

I am wanting to get something like Stickman communication cards using my NDIS funds to help my ability to communicate independently even when non verbal. I asked my OT but she said she doesn’t know. So I thought I try and ask here

Has anyone used this company before?

I just saw that they charge almost double the standard price if I were to purchase the same item elsewhere. I had requested an invoice for a purchase I plan to make, but this seems ridiculous to me that just because they provide an NDIS invoice we should be charged so much more than regular consumer. How is this allowed?

So the clients and I (worker) have been treated very poorly by our company and we find we talk about the corrupt things theyve been doing and the mismanagement whilst I always have to sort out their issues, though in my contract it says I’m not allowed to take the participant for up to a year after I leave, is there a way to go independent and take on this Client? I’ve been supporting them for 3 years every single week 10 hours. I obviously don’t want to get sued by my company. They basically done nothing but just put on the shifts every week (it’s automated), I don’t think it’s right they’re usually the max amount to charge for the participant too and taking half home when they do absolutely nothing.

Hello i know this might related to this sub but i just wanna ask. I am offshore physiotherapist working in Germany my main focus is Neurological rehabilitation and Geriatric cases so my question is there is a shortage of those two roles in NDIS? Is there's a waiting list so that you can't find any one provide these items? Because i wanna move in to Australia And wanna help people there .

Self-care activities (01_011…) as i aware mostly body-related daily routines (showering, dressing, toileting, prompts/supervision, mealtime routine support etc) which more of hands on. as plan manager said admin support aka personal admin such as is under (helping me make bookings (appointments, services), making phone calls, looking things up online / filling basic forms..ect) when i'm not present.

as on Price Arrangements for Assistance with Self Care Activities said

"These support items provide a participant with assistance with, or supervision of, personal tasks of daily life to develop skills of the participant to live as autonomously as possible."

abit vague with personal tasks which can be anything? as on other post while ago about PDA and Self care as...for instance cooking or learning to cook more of pda but providers pushing under self-care is wrong.

abit confused what activities that go beyond the body?

I live in SIL home under the management of an NDIS provider. My plan covers 6 hours of support 1:1 per day. Recently my support coordinator caught this company dipping their hand into my funding for services that didn't provide. We called them out and they stopped. However now that they are no longer getting the money they want they are pressuring me to increase my support from 6 hours to 8 hours and pay them accordingly. We said no but they are really pushing me hard on the issue with threats that are becoming less veiled by the day. They are now pushing me to participate in their daily group activity program, which my plan does not cover, and pay them for it. Can they do this? It feels quite predatory the way pushing me at this point. What do I do?

Hi all, looking for clarification on NDIS ADL travel claiming.

Under Core ADL: Assistance with Self-Care (0107), if a support worker transports/travel with participant to a location cooking and returns them home then how or what item sw can charge or claims under core item? let say 50+ kilometers plus tolls be claimed under 01_799_0107_1_1..?

For months now when I log into NDIS app I have to reenter my details then connect to MyGov EVERY TIME. Ive reported but nothing

As as a result Im behind on my claims. I finally sit down to do and my new plan for son started last week so now I cant claim. Do so via my place.

So I log into that. Then I cant use that without linking my digitial ID

So i do that. I enter all details. Now I cant upload docs. So it says do manual form but that will take longer to pay so avoid doing that if possible

Im tearing my hair out and will no doubt be on the phone for hours whilst trying to work and parent.

Argjgjgjfjfjfjtjtiypwjfirbr

looking for a new CoS in Newcastle area, someone who is experienced in working with mental health and support to link to community. my CoS works for a large company in Newcastle who have just been told they are cancelling their CoS contract.

heard lots of good things about smaller providers/independent people so would prefer to start there.

I’ve been slowly deteriorating and I’m a mum of three. My functional capacity is declining and I’m increasingly struggling with core daily activities.

On bad days I can’t reliably cook meals, clean, shower independently, or complete grocery shopping due to ongoing pain and fatigue. Even on “better” days, I have to pace heavily and often can’t sustain tasks safely or consistently.

I’m feeling overwhelmed and concerned about how much this is impacting my ability to care for myself and my kids long-term.

Has anyone with similar diagnoses successfully accessed the NDIS? What evidence or reports made the biggest difference in your application?

Hi everyone,

Our current company is no longer employing any Support Coordinators, so we’re looking for a new one for my brother in the Hurstville area.

He has complex and severe mental health needs.

Would appreciate recommendations for a great company or a specific Support Coordinator.

Thank you

Hey crew.

Not going to go into details about my disabilities and requirements.

I have a fortnightly cleaner who is supposed to stay for 2 hours. I ADORE her as a person. She is kind and passionate and caring. She usually brings her daughter to help her clean and often they stay for one hour and bill me for two which kind of makes sense but frequently they stay for 20 minutes and bill me for 2 hours.

I just don’t know what to do. There are so many surfaces I cannot clean which she has not cleaned but equally I don’t want to ditch her.

My support coordinator hasn’t been hugely helpful on the topic and I’m just very confused.

What would you do here?

Nothing says “secure government process” like being asked to email back 100 points of ID, full name, address, DOB and a Government Customer Registration Number 🙃

Is this really how NDIS registration is meant to work in 2026?

Welcome to the shit show.

I'm an AuDHDr whose burnout has reduced my ability to do what I'm used to (complex cognitive work).

I've signed up to Mable to do some social support work and have started the NDIS Worker online training.

The irony of sitting through videos on accommodations and equity without being able to tell how long the individual videos are or to be able to change the video speed is hitting me hard. 🤦

I'm unsure of if this post is appropriate for this subreddit, however I did read the rules and didn't see anything exactly saying this isn't allowed. Please let me know if it isn't.

For reference, my brother (17M) has given consent for my parents to be apart of everything, including the NDIS stuff, and his psychologist has written and submitted a letter to the NDIS. My parents have asked to have the letter, because they read them all before they go to the NDIS, so they have all the information and are aware of what might come from it. Psychologist has refused to provide it. I can't find information ANYWHERE other than google AI, which I do not trust. So, my question is, is the psychologist allowed to refuse to provide said report? Even when my brother asked for it, she refused.

edit: She has not refused to directly give it to my brother, she just wants him to ask her apparently. However, last time this happened, it took my parents 5 weeks to have access to the letter.

Yesterday I attended a client who is currently in breach of a Community Treatment Order due to non-compliance with prescribed medication. Police and health staff are scheduled to attend today to enforce the order.

The client is several days overdue for medication and is currently presenting with significantly deteriorated mental health. He has a documented history of threatening and intimidating behaviour toward staff. During my visit, he made multiple statements implying potential violence toward staff and also spoke about burning down his house in protest over perceived service issues.

While working with the client, I felt unsafe. His affect was volatile, he demonstrated limited insight into the consequences of his actions, and his anger appeared disproportionate, irrational, and directly targeted toward services and staff.

I understand that another worker is scheduled to attend the client today. Based on my observations and the statements made during my visit, I am genuinely concerned for that worker’s safety.

I have communicated to my line manager that, in my opinion, the client may pose a risk to the safety of himself and others. I have also submitted a formal incident report detailing the above.

I am struggling to understand the rationale for further staff exposure while the client remains this unstable, particularly when enforcement of the treatment order is already planned. It appears that deferring contact until after enforcement would significantly reduce risk.

I would appreciate clarification on protocols which may be guiding this decision. Specifically, I am seeking to understand whether there are considerations I may be missing regarding duty of care, and how staff duty of care and workplace safety obligations are being addressed.

For context, I am a overseas passport holder from South Australia. I applied for Ndis screening check a week ago. Haven’t heard anything yet, I just checked the status online and it only shows the date I submitted the application. How long does it normally took for you guys?

I’m pretty annoyed after having a meeting with my mum’s care plan coordinator and her support worker.

My mum has a worker who comes 3 times a week for 4-hour shifts. This 4-hour block started years ago when Mum was still mobile and could go to therapy, go out for coffee, go swimming, and do art classes. But now, Mum’s health has gotten worse and she is bedridden. The original hours—which were meant for her being out in the community—don't reflect the reality of her life now, but the hours haven’t been changed to meet her current situation.

The worker now comes to the house, does some cleaning, and picks up meds, which takes about 2 to 3 hours. Then she leaves, but the agency still bills for 4 hours.

In the meeting, the worker actually put words into my mum’s mouth in front of everyone by saying, “You know when you tell me to leave early.” I don’t believe that for a second. I know my mum, and she would never ask anyone to leave. What I actually think happens is the worker says, “I’ve done everything, is there anything else you’d like me to do?” and my mum, who doesn't want to be a burden, just says, “No" giving the opportunity for the support worker to say "okay, I'll leave then" or something to that effect.

We asked for the hours to be redistributed—maybe 4 times a week for 3-hour shifts, or 5 times a week for 2-hour shifts. The worker flat-out said she won't do shorter shifts because it's "not worth her while" to drive there for less than 4 hours of pay. I am honestly shocked that the support worker cares more about her own convenience and pay than my mum getting better services through a better distribution of hours.

The care plan coordinator told us it’s "company policy" to charge for the full 4 hours unless changes are made 48 hours early. I get that they have to pay their staff, but the problem is this has been going on for years and not once has anyone in the company raised it as a problem.

My mum is a huge pushover. She really loves this worker, and I think the worker does care about her, but at the same time, she’s taking advantage by working less and getting paid more. It feels like the worker and the coordinator don't actually care about Mum’s money, because everyone in the company is getting paid anyway. The coordinator only started acting like they cared when my wife used the words "financial abuse."

It feels like the worker is taking advantage of Mum being nice, and the coordinator just doesn’t want the bother of changing anything. Having said that, I'm hoping changes will be made after the meeting.

What should I do?

1. Should I report the whole agency to the NDIS?

2. If I do, what happens to my mum's funding if the NDIS find out not all the hours are being worked and this has been going on for years?

So I got my first functional capacity assessment with an OT to apply to NDIS years ago for about $900 which I thought was crazy at the time. Ever since they have been covered through my plan.

I have a friend looking into NDIS for the same conditions I have, and she was quoted $3000 for a FCA???? Is this normal in the Sydney area? Is she being scammed? Please let me know if you know OTs in the Sydney area that charge less than $3k

My FoI request is still pending, in the interim they directed me to this (now) publicly available scoring information. It has examples and example scores for each domain, and outlines the domains considered in scoring.

1. Attachment A – Information about the I-CAN Assessment

2. Attachment B – I-CAN v6 Scoring Manual

3. Attachment C – I-CAN Scoring System

4. Attachment D – I-CAN v6 Blank report

Page 18 onwards is the real interesting part - the scoring manual etc.

After the changes, your OT (and other professionals) roles will be essentially to show how you meet a number against these examples. They no longer recommend supports - they recommend a number for the algorithm.

The ART can change the numbers fed to the algorithm (based on evidence), but not the output. The output is still unclear. It's my understanding you will be entitled to a copy of the scoring so you can compare it to examples and appeal on that basis.

A shoutout to support workers actively seeking employment: Homage have advertised various part-time positions on Seek at an hourly rate of $37-45.

Once you apply, they'll invite you to an unpaid online induction session where they'll let you know that this is actually an independent contractor arrangement where the hourly rate is preset by them at a measely $30. It's extra audacious that they only employ support workers with a Certificate III, which according to the SCHADS award mandates a base hourly rate of $34.5 ($43 casual).

I'm so glad I was too busy to upload my personal documents before the induction call.

Please don't waste your time, folks; our time is worth much more than $30 an hour.

Thanks. I'm applying on behalf of my partner.

Hi i have been fighting for years to get ndis due to having multiple chronic illnesses like lupus. I have no life, I can't drive or work and I cant live alone relying heavily on my parents for everything. I am currently writing to ministers and advocates to get help. Would any of you willing to share your stories with ndis process?

I’d recently been evicted with a two day notice (which is illegal, but we’ll get to that) by a provider named Liberty Health Services here in QLD. I’ve reported them to the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission, as well as several other organisations and services. This all happened as I happen to be transgender and a person of colour, and made two separate incident reports regarding a worker who’d been racist, Islamophobic, transphobic, and ableist.

He’d make frequent comments about other staff members (who are all women of colour. He is the only white man) and would break client confidentiality and was incredibly unprofessional, obnoxiously speaking about myself and other workers. He also proudly stated that he was anti-immigrant to me, knowing that I am a child of an immigrant, and told me that my mother was right to have said that she thought she’d lost her daughter when I came out as transgender at age 13. Also said he agreed with the QLD government’s decision to ban gender affirming care for transgender children after I’d told him that I had been one of those children a few years back who’d received HRT as a part of my gender affirming healthcare and how it’d saved my life. After he found out about the report, he made it his life’s mission to have me evicted. Keep in mind that I was there as my actual accommodation was being sorted out, and this was temporary accommodation. They were illegally using my funding according to SUFY, and I noted several times where they’d sent me invoices for services they had never provided to me. Manager also called me and labelled me a racist as I’d told her that it feels that I am being racially targeted and that herself and the worker in question were also transphobic. I asked her if she thought I was racist to white people, and she gave me a resounding yes. I informed her that I was half white and she became quiet after that. She’d also told demandes that I recount the events that happened without referring to any of the evidence I’d written down. She was weaponising my amnesia which she is well aware of, and so is the rest of Liberty; I have a condition that causes it.

The disability worker has worked in drug rehabilitation services and boasted about it, and one of my roommates in that household was an ice/speed, cannabis and nicotine smoker. It was all recreational, and he’d smoke in his room. All the staff knew, including the worker who’d been targeting me. One day, I smoked in his room (he’d asked me to), but I was smoking my own prescription cannabis. It says on the lease not to bring in any illegal paraphernalia, which this was not. And the worker had found us in the same room together, and used this as ammunition to have both of us evicted. Liberty is helping him find housing, but I have been homeless since the 22nd, and they refuse to help me find anything. He is guilty by association, but is being treated with far better care than I ever had. Liberty did not hold a meeting with my support coordinator nor warn me per NDIS policies and did not even review the report in detail. There is zero feasible evidence, only what the worker had thought he’d seen and smelled.

The owner of the company and management both blame their all of their workers about workplace conditions and treatment of clients. All workers complain about the worker who’d had me reported and evicted; he neglects clients (eg. Not taking them to the bathroom on purpose to have other workers deal with the mess after shift handover) and continues to bully everybody who lives there. I found out that I am not the first person Liberty has done this to, and that they’d evicted (?) another client back in September last year as he’d been waiting for the exact same unit I had been waiting on and was experiencing discrimination.

The eviction notice that I’d mentioned earlier wasn’t an official RTA, it was written by the manager who hated me.

I have spoken with Tenants QLD, HRQ, and have spoken with legal experts for advice. They have informed me that what Liberty has done is entirely illegal, and I plan to report them through SUFY.

I always thought Sunday rate was at 200%.

And many google searches say so.

However my payslip stated I only get 50% for Saturday and 100% for Sunday.

Am I reading something wrong?

Or is this normal for SCHADS award?

Everywhere I have read it is at 100% for Saturday and 200% for Sunday.

I’m also a casual

Literally have no one to ask at work.

I never see my team leader. Everyone is too scared to talk about their pay and I genuinely feel I’d just be lied to as when I asked some random upper manager about pays, I was told ‘just read the payslip’

So I ain’t asking jack again lol

Survey and submission link for public consultation on the ICAN model to determine supports.-

My company said due to their funding they cannot go overtime, they had to cut back her hours but they expect me to take them to their appointment but the appointment would go overtime. They stated they won’t pay me overtime for their shifts.

Hi all,

Ive been permanently medically retired from Comcare for some years.

I have now developed a disability as a result of an illness. This is not associated with the reason behind my Comcare medical retirement.

Can I apply for NDIS without it impacting my Comcare?

I’m terrified Comcare will muck me around and try to find reasons to stop covering me.

Does anyone have any experience or advice?

Thanks!

Participants are far better off grouping together and organising their own rental or home that they are in control of and sharing supports than entering these facilities.

My SC gave me some company names for ndis transport providers but it seems they are just a person with a mobile phone who calls taxis for you and adds extra fees

Don’t have taxi or Ubers where I live, (not rural, but outside the metro taxi zone) when I mentioned this and raised concerns on anyone turning up, I was given some lame response that she would chase them up.

Needed for travel to hospital appointments etc when unable to drive

Can I use any non ndis business and still claim the transport on ndis? There are some local peeps who can be booked.

I am currently the nominee for my sibling (severe Cluster B) and have been since their plan commenced several years ago. I am in no way attached to this particular responsibility and have remained in this capacity largely to remove the burden from our elderly parents with whom my sibling still lives. There is and has been ongoing serious behaviours in the family home (verbal abuse and aggression, damage to property etc). Currently I am the anti-Christ and will be removed as nominee (in of itself, a non issue for me). I am concerned about the new intended nominee who is a SW my sibling has known for all of five seconds but is currently obsessed with (I am loathe to go into more specific detail in this regard). Is it appropriate or legal for a SW to also act as nominee for a participant they are engaged to provide services to?

The Federal Government has today agreed to delay Thriving Kids.

If your child or you are entitled to apply for the NDIS, don't delay make sure you go and get assessed.

I'm nominee for my 26yo son who has just received his NDIS package. I have a question regarding choice of Plan Manager. Some I'm considering (through Reddit recommendations) are interstate. In this age of electronic communications is it fine to choose such a Manager? I'm guessing they don't need to be within travel distance? TIA.

Text

Labor offers to delay NDIS autism changes if states agree to hospital and disability funding deal Exclusive: The $2bn Thriving Kids scheme, due to start on 1 July, would instead start in October, after states said they were not ready yet

The Albanese government has offered to delay the start of a new program for early intervention autism services and provide budget top-ups for smaller states, part of efforts to secure an overdue deal on hospitals and disability funding.

Premiers and chief ministers look likely to agree to the deal at Friday’s meeting of national cabinet in Sydney, after Anthony Albanese and the health minister, Mark Butler, offered to push back the start of the new $2bn Thriving Kids scheme to October.

The new program had been due to start on 1 July, but state governments had warned they were not ready to take responsibility for foundational supports for young children and a delay was necessary.

Part of efforts to ease pressure on the rapidly growing budget for the national disability insurance scheme, the new program will provide services for children under eight years old who have developmental delays and other low to moderate needs.

Support services will be delivered through schools, health clinics and community facilities. Broader changes to NDIS access rules are due to come into effect from mid-2027.

It had been initially proposed that states and territories would develop their own foundational support programs for kids, but a lack of progress saw the federal government move to set up a new national scheme.

Among additional sweeteners being offered to secure the deal this week are budget funding “adjustments” to benefit smaller states, as they struggle with rising costs for health and hospital services.

Butler and Albanese have offered $23bn in new funding, part of lengthy negotiations over plans for the federal share of hospital funding to grow to 42.5% by 2030, and reach a 45% share by 2035.

An extra $2bn in federal funding will go towards speeding up hospital discharge for elderly people waiting for beds in aged care facilities. The most recent estimate suggests more than 3,000 people are waiting to transfer from hospital wards to aged care.

The federal government expects the deal to take its contribution to hospitals to $216bn over five years, beginning from July 2026.

Labor wanted the deal signed by national cabinet before Christmas, but the emergency response to the Bondi beach terror attack upended the plans. Albanese and Butler have stressed good faith negotiations in recent days, calling their revised offer “generous”.

Amid drawn-out negations, Albanese had warned the states they needed to curb growth in hospital activity spending and staffing costs.

Guardian Australia has been told by multiple jurisdictions that there is growing expectations a deal will be agreed, even if concessions to give additional loading to smaller states mean larger ones will receive less generous shares of the additional federal money.

Figures from May 2025 showed children under 15 made up 43% of the more than 717,000 participants enrolled on the NDIS, but just 13% of all payments. Participants who had autism or other developmental delays as their primary disability made up half of the scheme’s participants, but just 23% of total payments.

Butler said last year the government’s current 8% growth target for NDIS spending was “simply unsustainable” in the medium and long term, proposing it could be lowered to 5% or 6% in the coming years, through agreement by national cabinet.

Hi everyone,

We’d been with our OT for just over a year, and all invoices were being sent straight to our plan manager. A few months ago, I found emails in my junk mail about overdue invoices. When I asked, they said they couldn’t remember if I was plan-managed or self-managed, so they had me listed as self-managed, but told me they would sort it out.

a month or so later the OT asked if she could use some funding for extra reports, I checked my statement and saw a substantial amount left, so I agreed as i assumed the issue had been fixed.

Now, since my daughter doesn’t have a diagnosis, her funding was cut at the end of December, and I received an email saying that 9 invoices had been sent in december and they exceeded the remaining funding. I am quite pissed off to be honest.

Has anyone else had this happen? How was it resolved, and who ended up responsible?

Thanks.

From what I’m reading, it’s not enough for reports to say a support is “reasonable and necessary” - the evidence has to clearly link back to the legislative criteria. For those who’ve been through reviews or appeals, what made the difference? Was it specific wording, referencing sections of the Act, or changing how reports were written altogether?

No further information provided, just an email with a breakdown of the plan, and recommendations around obtaining a Functional Capacity Assessment. Do I book this myself? How do I submit for reimbursement?

Hi y'all! I (21F) have just graduated with a Bachelor degree (in acting, so somewhat useless 😅) & I'm looking for work. I've always struggled finding a job that suits me, since I'm AuDHD & am just plain bad at regular jobs; I really try in hospo, but even if I can ignore how anxious/overstimulated it makes me I often get fired since I'm just not great at it. I'm hoping to find a job that 1) suits my narrow skill set & 2) doesn't overwhelm/exhaust me.

I think I'd like to start working as a support worker of some kind for autistic kids, but I'm not sure what pathway I need to take (& looking it up hasn't helped). I currently work as a children's entertainer (mostly birthdays & OSH programs) & I've had the opportunity to work with quite a few autistic kids. I see myself in them a lot, & so it's very rewarding to help support them the way I would have liked to be supported as a kid. I only get to see them very briefly, though (1-2 hours per party) & sometimes I see that their teacher/parent etc doesn't really understand them, & it makes me sad that there's so many kids still not getting the help & understanding they need; so I'd love to make a difference.

TLDR; I do kid's parties, I want to branch into support work for neurodivergent kids & I'm not sure what training I need to do/what job to apply for. Anybody have any advice?

Many parents have asked what the 𝙏𝙝𝙧𝙞𝙫𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙆𝙞𝙙𝙨 / 𝙉𝙤 𝘾𝙝𝙞𝙡𝙙 𝙇𝙚𝙛𝙩 𝘽𝙚𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙙 report could mean for families.

Kids First founder, Sonja Walker, has reviewed the 80,000-word document released today and below are some of the key areas we have raised with our local MP for parliamentary discussion.

It's important to note that the intention behind the report is a positive one. Everyone wants children to get the right support earlier and to see better outcomes over time.

We’re sharing our feedback because we’re concerned that some of the recommendations rely on assumptions that don’t always reflect family life on the ground, and that the real-world impact for children and parents hasn’t been fully considered.

𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘃𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁

The report recommends increasing access to information, resources and online programs to build parent capacity. Many parents already know what their child finds hard. What’s often missing is time, energy and hands-on support to turn advice into real change at home, school and in the community. Online programs can be helpful, but they don’t replace skilled professionals working alongside children and families over time.

𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗱𝗼 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲

The report suggests that parent capacity can be expanded indefinitely through access to education and online programs. In reality, many parents are already carrying a heavy load. Between work, siblings, appointments, school meetings and daily challenges, families are doing their best with limited reserves. Expecting parents to absorb even more responsibility without enough professional support risks burnout and could leave children without the help they need.

𝗨𝘀𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗲𝗹𝘀 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 “𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗱” 𝗼𝗿 “𝗺𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲”

The report relies on terms such as “mild to moderate” developmental delay or autism to guide decisions. These labels don’t always match daily life, and they do not reflect clinical practice. Children described as “mild” can still struggle significantly with learning, friendships, behaviour, sleep, toileting or emotions. When decisions rely on labels rather than how a child functions day to day, some children miss early support at the point it could make the biggest difference.

𝗣𝗿𝗲𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗴𝗲 𝗼𝗿𝗴𝗮𝗻𝗶𝘀𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀

The report often refers to large Non-Government Organisations (NGOs) as the primary voice of best practice and service delivery. Many of these organisations hold charitable status, which gives them access to funding structures, tax exemptions, grants and pilot program opportunities that smaller providers simply don’t have. This allows them to trial new models, absorb financial risk and operate at scale in ways that are not possible for most local services.

However, many of these organisations no longer operate consistently within local communities. (The NGO that Sonja once served as a Board member, Lifestart, moved out of the northern beaches years ago to redirect supports to other areas of Sydney.) When this kind of thing happens, families rely heavily on smaller, local services that know their child, their school and their area, and who can respond flexibly as needs change. These relationships are built over time and are central to effective support. If local services that are dedicated to their community disappear, that trust and knowledge can’t be replaced quickly or easily.

𝗙𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗳 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲

The report implies that private or unregistered providers are more 'transactional' or higher risk than NGOs. In reality, private practice clinicians are regulated by exactly the same professional bodies and bound by the same strict codes of conduct as NGOs. Many experienced therapists choose not to register with the NDIS because of cost and complexity, not because of poor or unethical practice. This distinction matters to families who depend on these services. We encourage the Thriving Kids committee to ask the question: 'If 92% of NDIS providers are unregistered, why is this so?'

𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

The report supports mandatory registration without clearly outlining a timeframe or how services will transition safely. There are insufficient resources in the sector to allow this to happen, even with a January 2028 floated as a 'done by date'. If changes are introduced too quickly, some local services may be forced to close. Families won’t simply move elsewhere, because there often isn’t anywhere else to go. Once local services are lost, rebuilding them is extremely difficult.

𝗔𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗺𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗰𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀

The report focuses heavily (and rightly so) on the challenges that are experienced by families living in Australia's regional and rural areas - however it also assumes that children in metropolitan areas have enough services and capacity. City families face the same workforce shortages, waitlists and burnout as regional areas. Many parents already ration therapy or go without support because services are stretched.

𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗰𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗶𝘁𝘆

The report assumes the workforce can expand quickly to support new models of care. Therapists take years to train, and many experienced clinicians are leaving the sector due to workload and uncertainty. New systems can’t succeed unless there are enough skilled people available to deliver care. Switching responsibility to educators, teachers and schools is not the answer to these challenges. Educators are already stretched and are not trained or resourced to provide disability-specific assessment or intervention. Expecting them to fill workforce gaps risks pushing people beyond their scope, increasing pressure in classrooms, and leaving children without the specialised support they need.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗶𝗴𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝗽𝗶𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲

Support for children isn’t just about programs or policy frameworks. 𝗜𝘁 𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝘀𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲, 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘄𝗮𝗹𝗸 𝗮𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗳𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲. 𝗜𝗳 𝗲𝘅𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗮𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗶𝘀 𝘄𝗲𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗿 𝗹𝗼𝘀𝘁, 𝗶𝘁 𝗰𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗯𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲𝗱 𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗹𝘆.

𝗙𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱 (𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗱𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗲) 𝗰𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆, 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝘂𝗶𝘁𝘆, 𝗴𝗲𝗻𝘂𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗱 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁. Without careful planning, broad consultation and agreement across systems, there is a real risk that well-intentioned changes could unintentionally make things harder for the very children they aim to support.

Sorry if the post is messy, I’m not great at this.
So today after years of neglect by both my ’carer’ and LAC, apparently I need my authorized representative if I want to cancel my NDIS. I never gave authority to anyone myself, so unsure how I am in this position in the first place. It likely would have been my abusive mother.

i am alone every single day, my LAC I have tried to contact multiple times, theyve offered call backs and once asked who was speaking, when I said my name, they told me they were busy. I have never communicated with my LAC. I live alone 24/7 never eating food everyday, maybe 1 meal a day, and my teeth all deteriorate. 0 friends; 0 family, 0 support.

i have been recording my carers (moms) abuse for the last 2 years or so, with no recordings of her swearing abusing me, just putting me down in general. Then she leaves and spends everyday with her daughter shopping or doing whatever fun things you ladies do.

today I rang NDIS and got support trying to get control or my self manage account, only for operator to not be able to help once he discovered mother is apparently in control of it all. I went into NDIS building today as they informed me I need to taken me mother there to help do it, and she met me at the building only to change her nice manuplate voice and tell them I couldn’t self manage. Then she went off again and i went back home as usual alone.

she is extremely manipulative and I feel like i might not be around much longer if this continues.. I just want help…

does anyone know what I do in this situation besides just giving up completely?

its making me want to cease services all she offers is support workers to take me out n thats about it oh and maybe a bit of things around the house. ive had some pretty bad support workers from the company. I feel obligated to keep the ones I have. im done. im sick of the ndis. But family make me feel obliged to have it. I wanted a break from support work, she won't listen. so am I meant to just keep going out and thats it. also they charge for a support worker to come to me I didnt think that was allowed. I'm so done with the dodgy sws with no experience the ones who put their clients at risk. the ones who are intrusive go through your stuff make you feel unsafe.I dont want this. If i cease services I feel like family wont be happy feel like I have no choice.. I dnt want ppl in my space anymore. im tired of researching new supports each time.

i'm wondering people in sydney how's your OT? i'm looking for Mental health OT and overhwelm abit especially on facebook. could you recommened one? PM me if u cant say it here.

I am a NDIS participant and am wondering if any sort of code of conduct exists for psychosocial recovery coaches (which dictates their behaviour and actions).

I am currently being asked by my PRC to do something that I feel is highly unethical and goes against my morals and I feel is definitely inappropriate for them to ask. Short and simple: lie to medical professionals regarding my health condition severity. I would assume that this breaches what should be asked of participants? Any advice would be appreciated.

I live on the Central Coast, and I had my plan approved over two weeks ago. The NDIS lady I spoke with said that she sent off a request in my area, and she didn’t really give me a time frame.

So I’m kinda trying not to panic if this is something that’s normal 😭😅

i have been working in the disability sector for some years now, i have been redirected multiple times for the same shift to my office instead. They have no support worker for me to do so they make me clean the office, vacuuming, mopping ect. is this right?

Been disabled for 10 years, to get accepted for my disability, only got ASD acceptable (plan suitable for a child, not an adult with physical disability and no informal support)

NDIS have failed to respond to the application, it’s been lodged Oct 2024, pushed again March 2025, escalated to local MP Oct 2025. Not had a single response other than generic “looking at it” letter.

I complained today via the website and got a call back.

They say they don’t have reports. They do, an FCA that they funded , a detailed NDIS template from a disability not for profit advocacy org filled out by GP. Clinical psychologist reports.

They say GP letter isn’t adequate - GP is the medical cohort responsible for managing the disability (oversight from neurologist etc). GP listed the dates and specialists consulted and treatments tried.

Nobody has bothered to read all the $$$$$$ reports that have been sent.

Change of circumstance to zero informal support accompanied by clinical psychologist report - ignored.

Looks like ART is next - seeking advice on how to do this without going broke and on low spoons. I’m bedridden a lot of the time, I just need help to stay employed and avoid homelessness. No friends or family for support, no parents place to go move into.

Hi everyone, I’m just looking for some insight because this whole situation is really stressful.

I’ve made some pretty serious complaints about an NDIS provider and it’s all very messy. I contacted the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission and they strongly advised me to also go to the fraud team while they look into the non-fraud issues.

I’ve sent through evidence and screenshots like they asked. I’m not the only one who’s complained either,my Support Coordinator, Behaviour Support Practitioner and my SIL provider have all lodged complaints as well.

What’s really bothering me is the waiting and not knowing if anything is happening, and worrying that they could be doing the same thing to other participants in the meantime. I honestly don’t understand how this has gone on for so long or how I’ve ended up in this situation.

If anyone’s been through something similar, how long did it take before you heard anything back? Is it normal for there to be no updates for a while? What usually happens next?

Hey everyone,
I’m in South Australia and applying for community-based mental health and wellbeing support roles (peer support, activity-based support, community engagement, etc.).

Nearly every job ad says “Valid NDIS Worker Check required”, but I’m confused about how you’re meant to obtain it if you’re not already employed by an NDIS provider.

I currently have:

• Working With Children Check

• Vulnerable Persons clearance

• National Police Check

• First Aid/CPR

• Driver’s licence + reliable car

• Bachelor of Psychological Science (starting Honours in 2026)

I’m really keen to work in this space, but I’m stuck on this screening requirement and not getting many replies.

Do employers usually initiate the Worker Check once you’re hired?
Or is there a way to apply independently as a new worker?

Any advice appreciated — I feel like I’m missing something obvious.
Thanks!

A lot of the discussion around new non-NDIS programs assumes schools, childcare, MCHNs and community groups can simply absorb more responsibility. But many of these services are already stretched thin and struggle to meet current needs. If allied health and early intervention are meant to sit outside the NDIS for some kids, what safeguards are in place to make sure support is consistent, specialised, and not dependent on postcode or who knows how to advocate best?

HI all,

This popped into my feeds and while it's possibly a bit tangential to pure NDIS, thought it may still be of interest to Vic based people working under the Scheme (clinicians for sure but especially lived experience leaders).

It's obvious that we are living through a time of great change with the NDIS. Sure not for everyone; but for many, obtaining needed ATs has always been a critically important aspect of the Scheme compared to what we had before.

What ATs will be available in the coming years and how these are developed, procured and delivered isn't as clear as it once was.

While there (finally) is a Committee now to advise the Minister and Agency on evidence of efficacy - there's no guarantee that this advise will be listened to or than the bean counters will be looking to implement cut backs and alternative arrangements (there are proposals for people with disabilities to have to make copayments for example and for cost recovery to occur in other ways.

Good to bring some of the best AT minds in Australia together to make a stand for what consitutes best life affirming practice like this event is wanting to do. If we don't keep pushing back against the souless functionaries and managerial types, then they will keep chipping away until there's nothing left.

Hi folks, so it's simple, kid is 5 year old, needs speech therapy (GP referral) and needs OT (not extensive but basic stuff) and social skills. He hasn't been diagnosed with autism or anything, but needs some support to improve on those things.

Ideally I want to be able to choose the provider myself rather than rely on someone else making decisions for child. For those who did it independently where do you begin and do you get funding to over assessments and sessions ? The private costs are insane obviously can't afford it long term, we did a private assessment which was riddled with errors and chatgpt slop was a big waste of money, so really need the funding to do this long term.

Would love to know if there is a step by step guide, and any recommendations for providers in Melbourne who are kind and work with the family in a no pressure way, thank you!