The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is a complex and highly valued national reform.The scale, pace and nature of the changes it is driving are unprecedented in Australia.
Reflecting the sheer size and complex transition phase of the NDIS, the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) has publicly reported contracts in place to the value of $235 million for the six months ended December 2017. This reporting is required under legislation.
The bulk of the contract costs are directly related to building the NDIS to ensure a successful transition as the Scheme is rolled out nationally.
For example, more than half of the total amount was for services contracted from the Department of Human Services (DHS) to run the NDIA's essential IT, core processes and all centre operations, business services, finance administration, HR, and property services.
The next largest spend was associated with the construction of the NDIA's new headquarters at Geelong and the fitout of new offices as the NDIA enters new geographies.
In size, this was followed by contracts in place with a number of Local Area Coordinators and Early Childhood Early Intervention Services who are our partners' delivering front line services in local communities – including the delivery of plans and serving the needs of NDIS participants.
In addition, we pay contract staff to deliver services to participants during this busy period as the NDIS grows.
The NDIA has also utilised consultancy firms for accounting and audit services, as well as to assist with various reviews that were underway to improve the experience people have with the NDIS, including work being undertaken to identify much needed improvement to the Participant and Provider Pathways.
The Agency is absolutely committed to building a world-leading NDIS that empowers people with disability to achieve their goals in inclusive communities and workplaces.