2022 – It’s a wrap
Dec 21 / Linda Hughes

Can you believe it is the end of the year already?! It’s been a big year and much has happened. Here, we reflect on some of the changes that have unfolded in 2022, and share our hopes for the year ahead.
The year that was…
Changes to the NDIS Act
Changes to the NDIS Act passed in parliament at the end of sitting in March. The participant service guarantee (PSG) was an important part of the changes. The PSG includes the NDIS time frames for processes and decisions. The PSG came into effect 1 July 2022. With changes to the Act we also saw some new NDIS language:
- Plan reassessment - previously known as plan review
- Plan variation – what we previously called a ‘light touch review'
Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) delays
In early 2022, we saw a 400% increase in participants appealing decisions made by NDIA. There was anecdotal evidence of plan funding cuts despite a person’s support needs remaining the same. The result was more people needing to take their case to the AAT. Advocacy services were strained and there was a general sense that trust was being eroded with the NDIA.
The new government has recently introduced an alternate dispute resolution process which includes a voluntary process for a non-binding and confidential review by an independent expert. The expectation is that this will assist participants to resolve their matter prior to an AAT hearing. A pilot phase of this Independent Expert Review (IER) program commenced on 4 October 2022.
On 15 December, the government announced plans to replace the AAT with a new administrative body by the end of 2023.
Change in government
The incoming government highlighted the need to rebuild trust with NDIS participants and has since launched an independent review into the NDIS to improve the wellbeing of Australians with disability and ensure the scheme’s sustainability, so that future generations receive the benefit of the NDIS.
New faces
There is a new chair of the NDIS board and a new CEO. Rebeca Falkingham replaced Martin Hoffman as NDIA CEO. Kurt Fearnley became the first disabled person to chair the NDIS Board. The Summer Foundation’s Dr George Taleporos recently interviewed Kurt and Rebecca. Find out more about Kurt here and Rebecca here.
Down to 10 days
Importantly, the Down to 10 Days campaign put the focus on delays in NDIS decision-making when people are in hospital but medically fit to go home. #downto10days highlighted that 1,100 Australians with disability are stuck in hospital, ready for discharge but unable to move because they are waiting for the NDIS to process their paperwork and approve funding for their supports.
Minister for the NDIS, Bill Shorten has implemented an operational plan to streamline the discharge processes and faster decision-making from more NDIA staff.
Early reports are that decisions are being made faster and fewer NDIS participants are stuck in hospital. Participants are receiving interim plans to leave hospital and medium-term accommodation where necessary.
If you are supporting an NDIS participant who is stuck in hospital, please get in touch with our Hospital to Home team who are currently accepting referrals.
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Looking to 2023
Home and living policy
This year, the NDIA engaged in extensive co-design with NDIS participants, their families and providers to develop new policies on home and living and support for decision-making. We look forward to seeing the outcome of this work early 2023.
We hope that the Home and Living Policy will support NDIS participants to explore and design their living arrangements with the full range of options available to all citizens.
A suggestion from Summer Foundation’s Annual Public Forum is a process where the NDIA identifies participants who will likely be eligible for SDA, then provides support to achieve SDA if this is their choice. Another suggestion is more specialist support coordination where expertise is required.
Young people in in Residential Aged Care (YPIRAC)
Each month, more than 40 young people per month entered aged care. More must be done to support younger people at risk of entering aged care, and younger people in aged care wanting to leave, to access appropriate housing and supports.
We are hopeful that 2023 will see more opportunities and greater commitment to younger people living in or at risk of entering residential aged care.
The Summer Foundation has launched the Residential Aged Care (RAC) engagement project. The RAC engagement project offers collaboration and support to RAC providers so that young people can transition into more suitable housing in their community. You can find out more about the RAC engagement project here.
The Summer Foundation and Housing Hub are also delivering Residential Aged Care Services Coordination - a free service for young people living in residential aged care. To find out more click here.
UpSkill training
UpSkill will continue to offer training and resources to support coordinators, allied health professionals and other sector professionals assisting people with complex support needs. Check out our upcoming courses below:
live workshop
Best practice when working with people with complex support needs #230207
DATE: Tues 7 February 2023
TIME: 10:00am–1:00pm (AEDT)
Learn about the guiding approaches of service provision including taking a human rights and person-centered approach to practice.
TIME: 10:00am–1:00pm (AEDT)
Learn about the guiding approaches of service provision including taking a human rights and person-centered approach to practice.
live workshop
Designing individualised Home and Living supports #230209
DATE: Thurs 9 February 2023
TIME: 1:00pm–4:30pm (AEDT)
Learn how to explore and design an ordinary life through individualised support.
TIME: 1:00pm–4:30pm (AEDT)
Learn how to explore and design an ordinary life through individualised support.
live workshop
Applying for SDA: eligibility and evidence for positive outcomes #230215
DATE: Wed 15 February 2023
TIME: 10:00am–1:30pm (AEDT)
Learn about the SDA Rules, eligibility and the evidence required for an SDA application.
TIME: 10:00am–1:30pm (AEDT)
Learn about the SDA Rules, eligibility and the evidence required for an SDA application.
live workshop
Planning, Preventing and Navigating Crisis #230222
DATE: Wed 22 - Thur 23 February 2023
DAY 1: 12:00pm–4:00pm (AEDT)
DAY 2: 1:00pm–4:00pm (AEDT)
Learn how to assist NDIS participants to prepare for, and navigate, crisis events including providing assistance to access mainstream and crisis services.
DAY 1: 12:00pm–4:00pm (AEDT)
DAY 2: 1:00pm–4:00pm (AEDT)
Learn how to assist NDIS participants to prepare for, and navigate, crisis events including providing assistance to access mainstream and crisis services.
live workshop
Supporting young people in RAC to benefit from the NDIS #230314
DATE: Tue 14 March 2023
TIME: 10:00am–12:30pm (AEDT)
Learn about how you can assist young people living in Aged Care to access appropriate home and living supports through the NDIS.
TIME: 10:00am–12:30pm (AEDT)
Learn about how you can assist young people living in Aged Care to access appropriate home and living supports through the NDIS.
live workshop
Applying for SDA: eligibility and evidence for positive outcomes #230321
DATE: Tuesday 21 March 2023
TIME: 10:00am–1:30pm (AEDT)
Learn about the SDA Rules, eligibility and the evidence required for an SDA application.
TIME: 10:00am–1:30pm (AEDT)
Learn about the SDA Rules, eligibility and the evidence required for an SDA application.
live workshop
Navigating complex systems: the NDIS and mainstream interfaces
JOIN WAITLIST
Learn about the responsibilities of the NDIS and other service systems so you can better support people to access the full range of support available.
Learn about the responsibilities of the NDIS and other service systems so you can better support people to access the full range of support available.
live workshop
The NDIS and mainstream housing
JOIN WAITLIST
Learn about mainstream and non-SDA housing, home modifications, assistive technology and capacity building supports to help a person explore suitable mainstream housing.
Learn about mainstream and non-SDA housing, home modifications, assistive technology and capacity building supports to help a person explore suitable mainstream housing.
recorded webinar
Challenges to a timely discharge
DURATION: 1hr
Learn about some of the challenges to timely discharge for NDIS participants stuck in hospital and strategies to address these.
Learn about some of the challenges to timely discharge for NDIS participants stuck in hospital and strategies to address these.
recorded webinar
ILO and beyond
DURATION: 1hr 30min
Learn how the principles of person-centred planning together with the opportunities of the NDIS help create a way forward.
Learn how the principles of person-centred planning together with the opportunities of the NDIS help create a way forward.
recorded webinar
ILO: as unique as a fingerprint
DURATION: 2hrs
Learn about ILO and how no two ILO arrangements are the same.
Learn about ILO and how no two ILO arrangements are the same.
recorded webinar
Enabling positive risk
DURATION: 1hr 30min
People with disability need to be supported to take risks in their day-to-day lives, in the same way everybody else does.
People with disability need to be supported to take risks in their day-to-day lives, in the same way everybody else does.
recorded webinar
Guardianship and decision-making
DURATION: 1hr 30min
Guardianship, substitute decision-making, and rights-based alternatives are not well understood within the sector.
Guardianship, substitute decision-making, and rights-based alternatives are not well understood within the sector.
recorded webinar
Supporting choice and control when a person has behaviours that concern us
DURATION: 1hr 30min
Learn about supporting people who have behaviours of concern and understand the link between positive behaviour support, human rights and improving quality of life.
Learn about supporting people who have behaviours of concern and understand the link between positive behaviour support, human rights and improving quality of life.
recorded webinar
Supporting choice and control when a person does not use words to communicate
DURATION: 1hr 30min
People with complex communication needs are often not consulted in decisions about their lives.
People with complex communication needs are often not consulted in decisions about their lives.
recorded webinar
NDIS Appeals and the AAT
DURATION: 1hr 20min
Learn about the AAT process, and get a broader view of NDIS appeals.
Learn about the AAT process, and get a broader view of NDIS appeals.
Who we are
UpSkill is a Summer Foundation program that offers NDIS training and resources for professionals assisting people with complex support needs.
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