Every year, NDIS participants are always on alert with the new pricing agreements and price limits. This is a bittersweet moment for participants and providers because the changes might impact support and service delivery. However, the NDIS keeps the prices at an agreeable range for people with disabilities. The new 2022-23 NDIS pricing arrangements provide additional funding for registered NDIS providers to better their businesses.
Here is a breakdown of the 2022-23 NDIS pricing arrangement and price limits.
Daily Living and Assistance with Social, Economic, and Community Participation Supports
The Fair Work minimum wage decision recently has seen weekday hourly fees increase. These fees also apply to Support in Employment and establishment fees. Therefore, the NDIS support catalogue has increased price limits by around 9% for employment service providers. The prices for some capacity-building supports have increased in line with these changes. These include
- Psychosocial recovery coaches
- Tenancy agreement support
- Assistance in coordination, transitions, support and management of life stages
- Development of life skills and daily living
- Assistance in the workplace
- Development of individual social skills
- Transition to school and tertiary education
- Supports developing independence for decision-making, training, and skill development
The NDIS will increase NDIS funds to cover the price limit changes so participants will not pay out of pocket. Therefore, participants whose accounts will be affected by the changes will automatically receive an increment.
Therapy and Improved Daily Living Activities
There are no price changes for therapy and psychology support, even for early childhood, nursing and behaviour support services. Since the prices are not changed, it becomes a challenge for service providers to get and keep allied health professionals for people with disabilities. Nonetheless, the NDIS support catalogue guarantees that more work will be done to review the price limits for therapy and improved daily living activities. There are new individual therapies added to early childhood intervention supports like
- Speech pathologists
- Music therapists
- Art therapists
- Occupational therapists
- Podiatrist
- Social workers
- Development educators
- Audiologist
- Orthopaedist
Short Notice Cancellation
The current short notice cancellation for temporary support is two business days and up to five days for long supports. With the current changes, participants must hand in short-notice cancellations within seven days. Failure to issue a cancellation notice prompts the service provider to claim 100% of the earlier agreed fees.
Travel
Core support providers returning to their offices after delivering services can charge for return travel. However, these charges are inapplicable for capacity building support, with the maximum billable time being 30 minutes.
Other Changes in NDIS Price Agreements
- There is a 2.94% price increase in cleaning and yard maintenance services according to the Consumer Pricing Index (CPI) and wage indexes.
- There are changes in support coordination and plan management in NDIS where the price for the rarely utilised support item (Level 1) has been increased. However, the prices for all other services in the category remain the same, which might disappoint support coordinators.
- The three levels of high-intensity support have been placed under one group with the same price to simplify service delivery.
The new price guide means more resources and time are needed to implement changes. Working with a plan manager helps participants understand their options, while support coordinators and providers increase productivity.
