MC17-001434

Mr Bob Buckley
Convenor
Autism Aspergers Advocacy Australia (A4)
convenor@a4.org.au

Dear Mr Buckley

Thank you for your emails of 5 and 11 December 2017 to the Assistant Minister for Social Services and Disability Services, the Hon Jane Prentice MP, about National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) support for children with autism. The Assistant Minister has asked me to reply to you on her behalf.

The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) is committed to ensuring participants receiving supports prior to the introduction of the NDIS are able to achieve the same outcomes under the NDIS. This does not mean the same level of funding or supports will be provided in the same way. The NDIA will seek to identify alternative support options, or make referrals to other systems, with a view to ensuring the same outcomes can be achieved.

No two NDIS plans are ever the same because no two people’s goals or aspirations and individual circumstances are the same. Planners aim to be consistent in their application of what is reasonable and necessary for the NDIS to provide. However, plans are always tailored
to the needs of the individual.

The Early Childhood Early Intervention (ECEI) approach supports children aged 0-6 years who have a developmental delay or disability and their families/carers. The ECEI approach supports families to help children develop the skills they need to achieve the best possible
outcomes throughout their life.

There are supports that are unable to be provided under the NDIS, as they are the responsibility of other service systems. These systems and their responsibilities are outlined in the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) Principles to Determine the Responsibility of
the NDIS and other Service Systems. These principles were agreed to by respective jurisdictions and the Commonwealth. More information about the COAG principles that govern the NDIS can be found at: www.coag.gov.au.

The NDIS will continue to provide community linking and individualised support for people with permanent and significant disability, their families and carers. The NDIA will continue to build relationships with mainstream service providers and the local community. This will improve their understanding about how they can assist people with disability.

Thank you for bringing your concerns to the Assistant Minister’s attention.

Yours sincerely

Christine Faulkner
General Manager
Operations Division

20 December 2017