Submission to the Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee

While supportive of a sustainable NDIS, PCA is concerned that the Bill as drafted will have unintended and disproportionate negative impacts on people with functional support needs arising from a life-limiting condition. These include unreasonable exclusion from the scheme, delayed access to support, inadequate recognition of fluctuating functional needs, and greater fragmentation between the health and disability systems.

PCA recommends the Committee consider opportunities to:

• Shorten the proposed decision-making timeframes for unscheduled reassessments.
• Clarify definitions and the intended operational interpretation of “appropriate treatment” and treatments to “maintain function”.
• Ensure functional assessments reflect the realities of life-limiting and progressive conditions.

PCA also recommends that gaps in support for people with life-limiting conditions who are not eligible for the NDIS be addressed as a matter of urgency.

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