We knew the impact of the Annual Pricing Review would hit the sector hard, but the feedback we’ve received from providers shows that it’s been catastrophic.
NDS has been overwhelmed with responses from more than 1200 members to our Pulse Survey following the Annual NDIA Pricing Review on 28 June.
The result could not have been a more damning indictment of the Annual Price Review and the state of the disability services market, with 84 per cent of respondent organisations (more than 1000 responses) saying that they are “actively reconsidering their future” due to the new price limits.
Seventy-five per cent are “considering stopping some or all of their disability services”.
The Pulse Survey has revealed that providers' thinking has shifted from finding ways to cut budgets without cutting corners to seriously considering cutting services entirely.
Withdrawal of services will most affect participants with complex, high-intensity or behavioural support needs and those in regional and remote Australia.
More than 1000 providers took the time to add written responses to their survey answers and the stories they tell are extremely concerning, in many cases heartbreaking.
The unhappiness and anger over pricing is unmistakable: “The NDIS price system is a cruel joke that is putting the most vulnerable at the most risk and slow[ly] crushing the quality providers to death” [multi-state provider].
I urge you to read our full article on the survey: Annual Price Review Pulse Survey shows most providers reconsidering their futures
Time for coordinated action
NDS has responded strongly to the pricing announcement, publicly voicing the sector’s concerns, calling out the NDIA’s incompetence in setting prices and the serious consequences this will have.
We have met with executives from the NDIA and the Quality and Safeguards Commission and spoken with Minister Shorten’s office. We have been listened to, but at this stage we do not feel our grave concerns have been heeded.
So, we are working with other provider representative organisations, seeking immediate action from the NDIA and government and engaging with disability rights organisations and unions, collaborating over our common concerns about the impacts on participants and workers.
We’ll be jointly calling for action, such as the urgent need to reinstate high intensity payments for behaviour support, through coordinated lobbying of ministers at the federal and state levels.
We will take our concerns to the public with renewed media activity. And we will raise awareness through member activities, social media and other communication channels.
We will work across the entire sector to raise our voices together. To let the community know that this time the government have gone too far.
It is driving the market towards collapse.
As we finalise our plan of action, we will circulate more information to members and partner organisations. Those of you who are already raising your concerns through your local MPs and media please continue to do so — every bit of public pressure will help.
We know that there are no quick fixes to the NDIS, but we need to stop going backwards with the viability of the scheme and get on the pathway towards a more secure future for disability services.
Kind regards,
Laurie Leigh
NDS CEO
