The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) recently released its pricing guide for 2024-25 and while some supports saw modest increases, others – including Support Coordination Levels 2 and 3 – remain unchanged for yet another year.
It’s safe to say this decision has left many in the disability sector somewhere between a rock and a hard place. For others, the decision has already been made to cease providing support coordination services entirely.
As an organisation that works closely with both NDIS participants and support coordination providers, we’re concerned about the ripple effects of this decision.
This price freeze has consequences for both support coordination providers and NDIS participants alike:
The Impact on NDIS Support Coordinators
For support coordination providers, the price freeze feels like a step backwards when considering rising operational costs, inflation, and increased wage and superannuation pressures. We hear from many providers that maintaining service quality at the current price point is increasingly challenging.
Many providers are finding themselves in financial stress, forced to make tough choices. Some are considering reducing staff hours or cutting back on professional development opportunities. Others are exploring ways to streamline their services, which could potentially impact the depth and quality of support they can offer.
Perhaps most notably, The Benevolent Society recently announced that from 1 September 2024, it will cease to provide support coordination services across Queensland, NSW, Victoria and the ACT, with indications from some other 300 NDIS providers that they have similar intentions.
What This Means for NDIS Participants
The effects of the price freeze don’t stop at the provider level – as with all NDIS changes (or in this case, lack of) – the impacts trickle down to participants, for better or for worse. This is how we expect the recent decision will impact NDIS participants:
- Reduced access to services: As support coordination providers struggle to make ends meet, many may be forced to take on fewer clients or limit their service areas, likely leading to longer wait times or reduced availability of support coordination services.
- Potential quality concerns: With providers under financial pressure, there’s a risk that the quality of the support coordination services on offer could suffer. This might mean less time spent on each participant, or fewer resources available for clients with complex needs.
- Less choice and control: If providers exit the market due to financial pressures, as many have already indicated they will, participants will have fewer options when it comes to choosing a support coordinator, impacting the fundamental NDIS principle of choice and control.
The Bigger Picture
It’s worth noting that while Support Coordination Levels 2 and 3 saw no increase, Level 1 support coordination (also known as Support Connection) did receive an indexation in line with other Disability Support Worker (DSW) Cost Model supports. This creates a disparity within the support coordination category, perhaps even signalling the beginning of a slow rollout of the major NDIS overhaul which has been promised in recent years.
Also worth mentioning is the fact that the decision to the maintain current pricing for higher-level support coordination seems somewhat at odds with the NDIS’s own data. The scheme reported significant growth in support coordination claims, with a 15% increase to $428 million over six months to December 2022. This growth suggests a high demand for these services, making the price freeze all the more thought-provoking.
Looking Ahead
As we navigate these challenges, it’s crucial for all stakeholders – providers, participants, and the NDIA – to engage in open dialogue. We need to find sustainable solutions that ensure the continued availability and quality of support coordination services.
For providers, this might mean exploring innovative service delivery models or finding new efficiencies without compromising on quality. For participants, it’s more important than ever to be vocal about your needs and experiences and choose providers that are willing to do the same.
At Footsteps, we’re committed to supporting both participants and providers through these changes. We’re exploring ways to offer additional resources and guidance to help navigate this challenging landscape:
- For NDIS participants, we are proactively developing new services to support the needs of our community, and our ‘Client Voice’ group provides a forum for clients to share their thoughts on service development, policies and governance, both at Footsteps and in the industry as a whole.
- For NDIS support coordinators, we’re offering free EAP support sessions to those affected by these changes and who would like the opportunity to discuss their challenges with one of our registered therapists.
- For NDIS support coordination providers, we’re offering Pro Bono consulting support to selected organisations to ensure they can continue their hard work in our community and ensure our industry remains strong.
Please contact us to enquire about accessing these support options.
The path ahead may be unclear but we remain hopeful that by working together, we can continue to ensure that all participants have access to the support they need to live their best lives.
The NDIS is a scheme in evolution. As the sector continues to evolve, one thing is clear. In order for these challenges to become an opportunity for positive change, we all need to play our part in advocating for a fair and sustainable system, and upholding the principles upon which the NDIS relies.
NDIS Support Coordination Services
We understand this situation has left many NDIS participants urgently seeking a new Support Coordinator. Please don’t worry, our Support Coordination team is ready and able to support you.
Our tailored NDIS support coordination services are designed to increase your choice and independence, support you to understand your plan, identify your goals, and connect you with service providers across all of your needs. We can also assist you if you are not on the NDIS but would like to apply.
Footsteps provides NDIS support coordination services in Brisbane, Ipswich, Bayside, Gold Coast & surrounding areas.
