The Health Services Union has welcomed landmark NDIS reforms, saying the changes will help drive out rogue providers while delivering a fairer funding model for participants and workers.
HSU National Secretary Lloyd Williams said the reforms addressed longstanding failures that had allowed unscrupulous operators to profit from a publicly funded scheme.
“For years, dodgy providers have been clipping the ticket on workers and making mega dollars – all on the taxpayer’s dime. Until now, the lack of mandatory registration requirements has let them get away with it,” Mr Williams said.
“This announcement starts to address that. We commend the minister for acting.
“Mandating registration for organisations providing support under the Daily Activities and Personal Care settings is an important step forward – one health workers have been calling for.”
Mr Williams backed the government’s plan to provide participants with a shortlist of accountable, quality providers for Supported Independent Living, support coordination and plan management.
“The current system has allowed too many intermediaries to operate with too little accountability,” he said.
“Commissioning quality, vetted providers in these high-cost areas is a sensible reform that will better serve participants and create a more sustainable scheme.”
Mr Williams said the shift to differential pricing was a necessary correction to a model that had never adequately reflected the real cost of delivering supports.
“The one-size-fits-all funding model does not work. It does not account for the complexity of participants’ needs, regional differences, group-based settings or the cost of properly training workers,” he said.
“We welcome the move to differential pricing, but we will continue to call for independent price setting as recommended by the NDIS Review.
“Responsibility for advising on NDIS pricing should be transitioned to the Independent Health and Aged Care Pricing Authority to strengthen transparency, predictability and alignment with the real cost of delivering care.”
Mr Williams said the HSU would continue to engage with government on the design and implementation of the reforms.
“We will keep advocating for a workforce that is properly valued to deliver high-quality, professional support to participants,” he said.
Contact: Matt Coughlan 0400 561 480 / matt@hortonadvisory.com.au
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