The NDIS Provider and Worker Registration Taskforce is set to play a pivotal role in this transformation. Comprising a team of experts including trusted lawyer and disability advocate Natalie Wade, former chair of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission Allan Fels, former ACTU Assistant Secretary Michael Borowick, and former Administrator of the Northern Territory Vicki O’Halloran, the task force is a beacon of hope for better outcomes for NDIS participants.

Drawing from the recommendations of the independent NDIS Review, the task force is tasked with advising the government on the implementation of a graduated, risk-proportionate regulatory model and a new provider risk framework. These recommendations aim to enhance the visibility and regulation of NDIS providers and workers, ensuring that the support system is transparent, equitable, and tailored to meet the diverse needs of participants.

Minister Shorten’s vision is clear: to lead the world in the regulation of disability services, ensuring that the NDIS remains a model of innovation and quality. The task force’s mandate is to ensure that the new regulatory system is designed with the participation and feedback of the disability community, guaranteeing that no participant is left behind.

This initiative is not about limiting choices for NDIS participants; rather, it is about ensuring that those choices lead to safe, high-quality support. The task force will focus on creating a system that respects the human rights of people with disability, enhancing their quality of life and ensuring that NDIS funding is used effectively and transparently.

The task force’s approach will be gradual, informed by the insights and experiences of the disability community, NDIS providers, and workers. Their goal is to establish minimum regulatory standards, particularly for providers of more intensive supports, while minimizing the administrative burdens associated with registration and enrollment processes.

Among the key areas of focus for the task force will be ensuring that new regulatory arrangements support the rights of people with disability to exercise choice and control, including the consideration of a direct employment model. It will also look into enabling participants who self-manage their supports to continue doing so and reducing the risk of harm to people with disabilities.

The task force’s work will culminate in a report, due mid-2024, offering advice and recommendations for the government’s consideration. This report is eagerly anticipated, as it promises to chart the course for a more inclusive, equitable, and effective NDIS.

As we await the outcomes of this crucial initiative, it’s important for all stakeholders in the NDIS community—participants, families, providers, and workers—to engage in this process. Together, we can ensure that the NDIS continues to evolve in a way that truly meets the needs of people with disability, offering them the support, dignity, and opportunities they deserve.

This is more than a regulatory overhaul; it’s a commitment to ensuring that the NDIS remains a world-leading example of how a society can support its most vulnerable members. Let’s embrace this opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of people living with disability in Australia.