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NDIS latest information on the response to coronavirus (COVID-19).

Purple background color with the NDIS logo on the left. The logo is in white writing.
In this edition:
– Changes to Pricing and Plans
– Reducing Face to Face Interactions
– Update for Participants
– What Happens When…
– Easy Read, Language Translations and FAQ’s
– How to Stay up to Date
– Information from the Department of Health
– Helpful Resources
Changes to Pricing and Plans

Changes to Pricing and Plans

We have introduced some changes to ensure supports can continue to be delivered to participants during this time:

Three New Support Coordination Items
You may need more assistance from your Support Coordinator at this time. Three new support coordination items have been introduced to the support catalogue under Core Supports, Assistance with Daily Life. The new item numbers allow you to use your funds more flexibly so you can access Support Coordination from either your Core or Capacity Building budgets.

Temporary Increase to Price Limits
The NDIA will temporarily increase price limits by 10 per cent for some critical supports. Participant plans are being automatically extended to ensure you continue to have access to funding.

Cancellation Policy Change
From 25 March 2020, participants will be required to give 10 business days’ notice (up from two days) for a cancellation if they want to avoid paying the full fee for a cancelled service. Refer to the NDIS Price Guide for more information.
From 30 March, participants will be charged 100 per cent of the agreed support price if they cancel a service at short notice (up from 90 per cent).

Advance Payments to Providers
We will also be providing a one-off advance payment for eligible registered providers to assist in the expected temporary increase in costs to deliver supports due to the COVID-19 virus.

Read more here.

Reducing Face to Face Interactions

Reducing Face to Face Interactions
In line with recent Government advice, we are reducing our face to face interactions, however all NDIA offices remain open. Current and potential participants can also contact us by phone, email or webchat. We consider this to be the safest way to deliver new plans and plan reviews.

If participants would like to continue to visit an NDIS office, they can do so.
We have put in place alternative communication methods to ensure participants are supported during this time:

  • Call 1800 800 110 and press 5 if you need to talk to a planner, make changes to your plan or are having trouble getting services due to coronavirus (COVID-19)
  • Email [email protected] if you have any questions
  • Use webchat to talk to us online
Update for Participants

Plan Review Update:

If a participant has a scheduled plan review, the NDIA will contact them by phone or email to undertake their review and discuss having a plan of up to 24 months.

To ensure participant plans don’t end on the day a plan is due to expire, it will be automatically be extended by 365 days.

Participants who have plans that expire soon, do not need to do anything to have their plans automatically extended by 365 days.

Read more information.

What Happens When...

What Happens When…
We are regularly updating our ‘What Happens When…’ page on the website with new information for participants, their families and carers.

Today’s updates cover scenarios about plan reviews, plan funding/inclusions, plan length and early childhood that might relate to your situation.

Visit ‘What Happens When’

Cartoon on the left of an open book with lines depicting words and text on the right the reads Easy English, Language Translations and FAQ's

Easy English, Language Translations & FAQ’s
We have recently published information in an Easy Read format on the NDIS website about our response to the coronavirus (COVID-19).

We have also published translated versions of helpful information about coronavirus (COVID-19) in five different languages.

A number of frequently asked questions and answers are also available on the NDIS website and are updated as more information is available.

Detailed advice for providers is also available.

How to Stay up to Date

We are updating our Website, Facebook and Twitter accounts daily, and sending regular e-newsletters with relevant updates as we receive new information.

To find the most up-to-date information and frequently asked questions on our website visit: www.ndis.gov.au/coronavirus

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Cartoon of a clipboard with lines depicting words and plus symbol depicting health and text that reads Information from the Department of Health

Coronavirus is a respiratory illness with symptoms ranging from a mild cough to pneumonia. Some people recover quickly and easily, and others may get very sick, very quickly.

Good hygiene can prevent infection for most people. The Department of Health website has key resources to help you understand if:

If you are an NDIS participant and you are concerned about your exposure to coronavirus, the Department of Health has a specific hotline to respond to your enquiries:

1800 020 080 (24 hours a day, seven days a week).

If you are deaf or have a hearing or speech impairment, you can use the National Relay Service to access any of the department’s listed phone numbers.

You can visit the National Relay Service website or call 1300 555 727. If you need translation and/or interpretation support, Translating and Interpreting Services are offered by the Australian Government on the Department of Home Affairs website.

Cartoon of a computer screen with lines on it depicting text and to the right text that reads Helpful Resources

To help coping with stress related to coronavirus (COVID-19): Headspace Austraia has some general tips to help young people manage stress related to changes in daily life.

Helpful information and an Aided Language Display (ALD) around speaking with children about Coronavirus is available.

Ethnolink have created a library of multi-lingual resources together so that all Australians can access information in their preferred language about coronavirus (COVID-19).

Ideas have created an information page on their website. They also have an information line, free call, 8am – 8pm: 1800 029 904

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