MOD.A Delegation Meets with NDIA Officials

A delegation of five MOD.A members met with the NDIA in October providing data, case studies and member feedback about the huge backlog of major home modification assessment reports held up within the NDIA, the widespread confusion about the process of major home modification assessment, inconsistencies in the NDIA review of major home modification reports, and a range of the problems arising from lack of engagement with the home mods sector and poor quality communication with participants.

In response, Ms O'Neill, Branch Manager Market Commissioning NDIA said the agency was aware of the extent of the backlog and some inconsistencies in the review process, and has two projects underway which aim to:

• Free the significant backlog of complex home modifications awaiting approval
• Streamline the NDIS complex home modification report review process to promote consistency.

Ms O'Neill said the NDIA would make announcements on the progress of these projects in four months (February 2018).

The NDIA indicated that, in response to provider feedback, the agency was considering procedural changes to the scoping and quoting of complex and structural home modification works, and would welcome industry input on how to make this process more efficient.

MOD.A will consult with members to collect your input on ways to improve the complex home modification assessment process, particularly in relation to the scoping and cost estimation of proposed works, and aims to get back to the NDIA with the results of our consultation in the New Year (see Have Your Say to the NDIA).

The NDIA also advised MODA that providers may expect a surge of approved major home mods projects at some point, however the timing of this was not specified.

MOD.A warned the NDIA that the availability of providers able to meet the service quality requirements of the NDIS was very limited and these businesses were seriously impacted by the current systemic and operational issues in the NDIS.

MOD.A members who attended the meeting were heartened by the understanding shown by the NDIA officials about the issues raised, and their plans to respond to some of main areas of concern. However, the NDIA has yet to reply to our follow-up letter and proposals.

In a follow-up letter to the NDIA, MOD.A noted the recent release of theNDIS New Participant and Provider Pathway Experience, and offered to assist the NDIA by improving the agency's understanding of the end-to-end home modification process; developing guidance and standards for the delivery of complex home modification services; assisting our members to understand and apply the NDIS principles and meet the requirements of the NDIS: developing information about home modification services for NDIS agents, service providers and participants; and improving the connection between participants, quality service providers and NDIA agents through appropriate online, telephone and face-to-face information and support.

MOD.A understands home modification is a key strategy of the NDIA, one which demands an integrated response from our sector, including OTs, building design and construction professionals who are capable of delivering on participants' needs, meeting regulatory and compliance requirements, and achieving the objectives of the NDIA.

MOD.A will continue to lobby the NDIA to engage with the home modification sector via MODA as a matter of urgency to tackle immediate issues, promote a stable framework for services providers and to determine the longer term national approach for the assessment and supply of complex home modifications.

We encourage all members to complete the MOD.A members NDIs major home mods survey to be sent out shortly, or write to us in more detail to enable us to deliver clear messages to the NDIA on areas for service improvement.

HAVE YOUR SAY TO THE NDIA
MOD.A members are invited to provide the NDIA with suggestions on improving complex home modification assessment, building construction advice and cost estimation processes, following a meeting between MOD.A delegates and top NDIA officials in Geelong in October 2017.

MODA will send the email survey out shortly. The survey responses will be anonymous, and assist MODA to continue to represent the concerns and input of our members to the NDIA.