National Disability Insurance Scheme (Timeframes for Decision Making) Rules 2013
 
National Disability Insurance Scheme Act 2013 (the Act)
The Act establishes the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
People who are participants in the NDIS will be assisted to develop a personal, goal-based plan about how they will be provided with general supports and reasonable and necessary supports.
The NDIS will respect the interests of people with disability in exercising choice and control about matters that affect them.
 
National Disability Insurance Scheme (Timeframes for Decision Making) Rules 2013
These Rules are made for the purposes of section 204 of the Act.
These Rules are about the timeframes in which the CEO is required to make certain decisions under the Act.
These Rules commence on 1 July 2013.
 
The Hon Jenny Macklin MP
Minister for Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs
Minister for Disability Reform
18 June 2013
 
Contents
 
National Disability Insurance Scheme (Timeframes for Decision Making) Rules 2013  1
Part 1         What these Rules are about 3
Part 2         Outline of these Rules  5
Part 3         Timeframes for making decisions  6
Part 4         Other matters  8
Citation  8
Interpretation  8
 
 
Part 1   What these Rules are about
1.1     Before the NDIS is implemented nationally, it is being launched in certain areas of Australia.
1.2     These Rules deal with the timeframes in which certain decisions must be made regarding whether a person is eligible to become a participant in the NDIS launch.
1.3     The Act sets out a number of objects for the NDIS. An object that is particularly relevant to these Rules is that of facilitating the development of a nationally consistent approach to the access to, and the planning and funding of, supports for people with disability.
1.4     In giving effect to the objects of the Act, including the object above, regard is to be had to:
(a)     the progressive implementation of the NDIS; and
(b)     the need to ensure the financial sustainability of the NDIS; and
(c)     the broad context of disability reform provided for in:
(i)      the National Disability Strategy 2010-2020 as endorsed by COAG on 13 February 2011; and
(ii)     the Carer Recognition Act 2010; and
(d)     the provision of services by other agencies, Departments or organisations and the need for interaction between the provision of mainstream services and the provision of supports under the NDIS.
1.5     The Act also sets out a number of principles for the NDIS. The principles that are particularly relevant to these Rules are the following:
(a)     people with disability and their families and carers should have certainty that people with disability will receive the care and support they need over their lifetime;
(b)     people with disability have the same right as other members of Australian society to respect for their worth and dignity and to live free from abuse, neglect and exploitation;
(c)     people with disability have the same right as other members of Australian society to be able to determine their own best interests, including the right to exercise choice and control, and to engage as equal partners in decisions that will affect their lives, to the full extent of their capacity;
(d)     people with disability should be supported in all their dealings and communications with the Agency so that their capacity to exercise choice and control is maximised in a way that is appropriate to their circumstances and cultural needs;
(e)     people with disability should have their privacy and dignity respected;
(f)      people with disability should be supported to receive supports outside the NDIS, and be assisted to coordinate these supports with the supports provided under the NDIS.
1.6     The CEO is to perform functions and exercise powers under the Act in accordance with the principles for the NDIS, having regard to:
(a)     the progressive implementation of the NDIS; and
(b)     the need to ensure the financial sustainability of the NDIS.
 
Part 2   Outline of these Rules
2.1     A person, or someone who is able to act on their behalf, may make a request under the Act to become a participant in the NDIS launch (an access request). Once a person becomes a participant, they can develop a personal goal-based plan which may provide for supports for the participant.
2.2     A person becomes a participant in the NDIS launch on the day the CEO of the Agency decides they meet the access criteria. The access criteria are set out in Part 1 of Chapter 3 of the Act and the National Disability Insurance Scheme (Becoming a Participant) Rules 2013.
2.3     Part 3 of these Rules specifies the timeframes in which the CEO must make certain decisions regarding whether a person meets the access criteria.
2.4     The timeframes specified in these Rules only apply for a limited period of time. After that time, the ordinary timeframes specified in the Act will apply.
2.5     Part 4 deals with other matters, including interpretation of these Rules.
 
 
Part 3   Timeframes for making decisions
3.1     This Part operates in relation to an access request made within 12 months after:
(a)     1 July 2013, for an access request made in relation to a 2013 NDIS launch area—see the definition in paragraph 4.3); or
(b)     1 July 2014, for an access request made in relation to the Australian Capital Territory.
3.2     It is expected that:
(a)     where the access request was made by a person whose need for assistance is urgent, the CEO will take an action under paragraph 3.3 within 21 days after receiving the request; and
(b)     in other circumstances, the CEO will endeavour to take such an action within 21 days after receiving the request, and this will normally be achieved.
3.3     The CEO must do one of the following within 42 days after receiving the request:
(a)     decide whether or not the person meets the access criteria; or
(b)     make one or more requests under subsection 26(1) of the Act—that the person provide information, or undergo an assessment or examination and provide a report of the person who conducts the assessment or examination.
Paragraph3.3  is made for the purposes of subsection 204(1) of the Act. If an access request is made more than 12 months after the relevant day mentioned in paragraph 3.1, the timeframe of 21 days specified in section 20 of the Act will apply.
3.4     It is expected that:
(a)     where the access request was made by a person whose need for assistance is urgent, the CEO will take an action under paragraph 3.5 within 14 days after receiving the information and reports; and
(b)     in other circumstances the CEO will endeavour to take such an action within 14 days after receiving the information and reports, and this will normally be achieved.
3.5     If the CEO makes one or more requests under subsection 26(1) of the Act and any requested information and requested reports are received by the CEO within 28 days after the CEO's request or such longer period as is specified in the CEO's request, the CEO must do one of the following within 28 days after the last information or report is received:
(a)     decide whether or not the person meets the access criteria; or
(b)     make a further request under subsection 26(1) of the Act.
Paragraph 3.5 is made for the purposes of subsection 204(1) of the Act. If an access request is made more than 12 months after the relevant day mentioned in paragraph 3.1, the timeframe of 14 days specified in subsection 26(2) of the Act will apply.
 
Part 4   Other matters
Citation
4.1     These Rules may be cited as the National Disability Insurance Scheme (Timeframes for Decision Making) Rules 2013.
Interpretation
4.2     Terms and expressions that are used in the Act have the same meaning in these Rules unless these Rules display a contrary intention—see the Acts Interpretation Act 1901 and the Legislative Instruments Act 2003, which include definitions and rules of interpretation that apply to all Commonwealth legislation. For convenience, the more important definitions from the Act are identified or reproduced in paragraph 4.3.
4.3     In these Rules:
2013 NDIS launch area means
(a)     South Australia;
(b)     Tasmania
(c)     the areas that comprise the following municipal districts of Victoria as at the commencement of these Rules:
(i)      Colac-Otway Shire;
(ii)     City of Greater Geelong;
(iii)     Borough of Queenscliffe;
(iv)    Surf Coast Shire;
(d)     the areas that comprise the following areas of New South Wales proclaimed under section 204 of the Local Government Act 1993 (NSW) as at the commencement of these Rules:
(i)      Lake Macquarie City;
(ii)     Maitland City;
(iii)     Newcastle City.
Act means the National Disability Insurance Scheme Act 2013.
Agency—see section 9 of the Act.
CEO—see section 9 of the Act.
NDIS means the National Disability Insurance Scheme (see section 9 of the Act).
NDIS rules means the National Disability Insurance Scheme rules (see section 9 of the Act).
participant¾see section 9 of the Act.