Participant Engagement Payment Policy

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Participants make an important contribution to NDIS improvement projects. To recognise this contribution, the NDIA has a Participant Engagement Payment Policy.

This policy updates the former External Consultation Policy. It applies from 1 January 2021.

The policy sets out the approved activities, who is eligible for payment, and the amount paid. This includes consideration of out-of-pocket expenses. 

The policy applies to:

  • participants
  • carers
  • nominees
  • people with a disability

who are invited to take part in specific NDIS improvement activities.

The policy does not cover:

  • NDIA employees, contractors, partners or public service employees
  • family members of NDIA employees (unless the family member is an NDIS participant)
  • employees of a disability organisation
  • members of the NDIA Board or Independent Advisory Council.

Paid activities may include:

  • face-to-face forums
  • teleconferences
  • video conferences
  • online meetings
  • responses to questionnaires
  • preparation for meetings (in some circumstances). 

We will tell participants before the event if it is a paid activity.

Payments

The NDIS is one of the only government agencies to have a payment policy of this kind.

The payment rates for an individual’s time are:

  • $50 per hour for up to 2 hours (pro-rata)
  • $150 per day for up to 4 hours
  • $250 per day up to 8 hours.

In some circumstances, participants may receive out-of-pocket expenses to support their contribution.

Expenses might include transport, parking, meals, accessibility equipment or a support person/carer.

All expenses must be reasonable and necessary, and represent value for money. 

This page current as of
14 November 2022
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