The Australian Government today released a pilot study of the National Disability Insurance Scheme’s (NDIS) new Outcomes Framework.
The Framework has been developed to measure the medium and long-term benefits of the NDIS for participants and their families.
National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) CEO David Bowen said a key aim of the NDIS is to assist people with disability to live an ordinary life.
“This means helping people with disability to fully realise their potential, to participate in and contribute to society, and to have a say in their own future,” Mr Bowen said.
“The development of the Outcomes Framework will allow the NDIA to closely monitor the Scheme’s progress, and benchmark its progress internationally against other OECD countries.”
The NDIA will collect information from participants, families and carers on how they are progressing in different areas of their life.
The measures include choice and control, daily living activities, relationships, home, health and wellbeing, lifelong learning, work, and social, community and civic participation.
“Monitoring the outcomes across these areas over time will help ensure the Scheme is assisting people with disability build better lives, as well as ensuring the Scheme is sustainable for future generations,” Mr Bowen said.
“It will also contribute to an understanding of what types of supports lead to good outcomes for people with disability, their families and carers.”
While the primary purpose of the pilot study of the Outcomes Framework was to assess the validity of the questions in the Framework, some early trends were observed.
The study showed that the NDIS is making a difference to the lives of participants and their families and carers, particularly in the areas of choice and control and daily living activities.
The Agency will also use the Outcomes Framework to identify areas which need targeted strategies to ensure the Scheme continues to deliver for people with disability.
In developing this Framework, the Agency undertook a comprehensive review of other national and international outcome frameworks, and consulted widely, including with members of the NDIA’s Independent Advisory Council.