- by Bev Hall
- The Guardian
- Issue #2152
Rally calling for a fairer National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). Photo: Matt Hrkac www.matthrkac.com.au – flickr.com (CC BY 2.0)
The National Disability Insurance Scheme has private providers and rorting built in. This is our experience.
We have written several letters of complaint about company providers rorting the NDIS system. By now we wonder if the private system can be made to provide honest services to recipients. Our view since our grandson has used them is that most are vultures, swooping in and ripping off the tax payers’ money and the government for unbelievable amounts. Since he has been self-funded we can see how much services charge and how little they provide.
There are three processes in which funding is provided and claims can be made. One is direct government National Disability Insurance Agency funded. The second is through using Plan Managers, and the third by self-funding.
Self-funded NDIS recipients receive invoices and then have to apply to NDIA through the Mygov portal. However this places a great deal of pressure on the recipient, particularly when demand for payments are within a couple of days. It takes a couple of days for the invoiced funds to be paid into the recipients bank account to enable them to then pay the service provider.
Using a plan manager requires the NDIA to provide extra funding to a system that has numerous “companies” who have set up a business. These businesses basically rubber stamp any request without investigating or demanding accountability. One local company which assisted more neurodiverse NDIS recipients was not only charging twice but charging a week in advance. They claimed that agreements were made with the NDIS recipient and that they notify any charge within 48 hours, but charging already four to five days prior means the recipient has no chance to change any arrangement. One company went behind our backs to NDIS to claim that our grandson needed more funding for a plan manager and coordinator that they had lined up. This group not only had a bullying approach but didn’t have any idea how to involve neurodivergent participants to enhance their skills.
The other concern we have was that this company has its base in the US. Already the US is trying to move in on the PBS schemes. Foreign companies have been allowed to enter into the NDIS market and cream off Australian tax payer funds while providing minimal services. NDIS services should be Australian government-owned and run if there is any chance for the rorting to be stopped and decent services provided for disabled people.
