The federal government has given up on its plan to bring in independent assessments for participants of the National Disability Insurance Scheme, with critics saying the decision is a win for person-centred care.
At a meeting with state and territory ministers on Friday, NDIS Minister Linda Reynolds agreed not to make any legislative changes to the scheme, committing to consult on any future amendments.
"Importantly, all ministers agreed to work in partnership with those with lived disability experience on the design of a person-centred model," Senator Reynolds said in a statement.
"A model that will deliver consistency and equity of both access and planning outcomes. A model consistent with the assessment requirements under the NDIS Act."
Senator Reynolds was seeking in-principle support from her state and territory counterparts for amendments to the scheme, with the aim of reigning in the annual cost of the NDIS, which is projected to reach $60 billion by the end of the decade.
Several states and territories have strongly opposed independent assessments, as well as disability advocates, Labor and the Greens.
The reforms would have seen NDIS participants and would-be participants assessed by a government-contracted allied health professional - rather than their own treating specialists with whom they already have a relationship - to help determine the support they receive.
Concerns had been raised about and transparency, the ‘one-size-fits-all’ model , and the reforms undermining the principles of choice and control that the NDIS was built on.
'Massive win'
ACT Minister for Disability Emma Davidson said the meeting with Senator Reynolds was productive.
"This is a massive win for the sector and it is clear that the voices of people with disability were heard loud and clear in today's meeting," Ms Davidson said in a statement.
"The mood in the meeting leaned towards a person-centred approach, which the community has been advocating for, since the first trial of independent assessments."
Her NSW counterpart, Alister Henskens, also welcomed that independent assessments will not proceed.
"Ministers agreed to the co-design of a new person-centred model that delivers consistency and equity in access," he said.
Until now, the federal government has said it is determined to introduce independent assessments for NDIS participants and applications.
It has argued the reforms are needed to address inequities in the scheme and to place the NDIS on a "sustainable growth trajectory".
The NDIS' financial sustainability report, released on Saturday, estimated the scheme would cost $60 billion a year by 2030.
Senator Reynolds has said independent assessments would not be unique to the NDIS, and that all other workplace injury and disability insurance schemes had similar systems in place.
Opposition spokesman for the NDIS Bill Shorten said the development was welcome news for thousands of Australians who had been despairing and frustrated about the future of their care.
"It's a big win," he told AAP.
Mr Shorten said the government had wanted to reduce the NDIS to less individually tailored care, reducing it to three or four types of "welfare" packages.
Any changes to the NDIS have to be co-designed with the disability sector, not imposed on it, he said.
Senator Reynolds said on Friday further work would be undertaken "to understand the assumptions and cost drivers that underpin the actuarial modelling" on the financial sustainability of the NDIS scheme.
"This will allow ministers to form a unified understanding in order to develop a pathway forward together," she said.
With SBS News
