Purpose
The purpose of this Inquiry is to examine how Platform Providers operate in the NDIS Market. The Inquiry will hear from people with disability accessing NDIS services and supports through Platform Providers, and Platform Providers themselves.
The Commissioner will share key learnings to promote participant rights to safe and quality NDIS supports. The Commissioner will also consider whether the current regulatory settings that cover this part of the NDIS Market are appropriate.
Own Motion Inquiry Terms of Reference
You might want to read our Terms of Reference. The Terms of Reference outlines what the NDIS Commissioner would like to achieve through the Own Motion Inquiry and the issues that will be explored.
There is also an easy read version of the Terms of Reference, in standard and print formats.
Why Platform Providers?
The NDIS was designed to give people with disability choice and control in relation to how their services are best delivered and who should be delivering them. When accessing NDIS supports and services, people with disability also have the right to be safe. Safety is not just about the conduct and capabilities of workers delivering their services. It is also about participants feeling safe to raise concerns, voice how they like their services and supports to be delivered and feeling culturally safe.
People with disability and their support networks require access to a diverse and sustainable market in which innovation, quality and contemporary best practice feature.
Platform Providers now represent a significant and growing proportion of the NDIS market. There are registered and unregistered Platform Providers with variation in how quality and safeguards are approached in the delivery of supports.
The Commissioner has heard that Platform Providers can offer people with disability flexibility, responsiveness and increased control and connection with support workers. The feedback given to the Commissioner also highlights uncertainty about who is responsible for ensuring services are delivered safely and of a high quality.
The NDIS Commission works with participants and providers to improve the quality and safety of NDIS services and supports. The Inquiry into platform providers operating in the NDIS market will examine how platform providers function in the NDIS market while keeping the principle of choice and control for people with disability at the heart of it.
What are Platform Providers?
NDIS Platform providers are online platforms and online subscription services that connect workers with NDIS participants.
What is the difference between Platform Providers and NDIS Platform Providers?
This is something the Commissioner is keen to explore as part of this Inquiry.
The NDIS Commission recognises that online platforms are used by many Australians to organise transport, order dinner and pay for services. The Commissioner’s Own Motion Inquiry into Platform Providers is focused on online platforms and subscriptions services used to put people with disability who receive NDIS funded services and supports in touch with workers and providers of services. This interest relates to the Commissioner’s role in monitoring the NDIS market.
Have something to say about NDIS Platform Providers? Consultation is now open
If you have something to say about Platform Providers we would like to hear it. There are a few ways you can make a submission to this Inquiry. Choose what suits you best, all submissions received before consultation closes will be considered.
Make your submission by:
- Sending us an email at ownmotioninquiry@ndiscommission.gov.au
- Sending us a recording or video
- Complete an online survey
- Ask someone you trust to get in touch with us for you.
Consultation is open until 28 April 2023.
Need Support?
We want to hear about your experiences in your own words.
If you have a support person, advocate or trusted person, they can also help you.
There is more information about how to contact the NDIS Commission on our website.
What will the NDIS Commission do with the information I provide?
The goal of the Commissioner's Inquiry is to examine how Platform Providers operate in the NDIS market. All submissions received before consultation closes will be considered.
Providing information is voluntary. You decide what you want us to know. Any personal information you provide will be treated securely and sensitively. That means only officers working with the Commissioner on this Inquiry will see your information. Your personal information cannot be used for any other purpose without your consent or unless the law allows.
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