The State Government has today announced funding of $1.5 million over two years to support people with disability who choose to self-manage their plans under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
The funds are available through the State Government's Sector Transition Fund, established to safeguard the sustainability of Western Australia's disability sector during transition to the Australia-wide NDIS and assist people to manage in the NDIS environment.
NDIS participants can choose whether to have their funds managed by the NDIS or a third-party plan manager or seek approval from the NDIS to manage the funds themselves.
Those approved to self-manage their plans are responsible for sourcing and paying support workers, claiming reimbursements from the NDIS and maintaining accurate records.
The funding will be directed to Western Australia's Individualised Services (WAiS), a recognised support provider of self-managers, to develop self-managers' knowledge about their responsibilities and obligations as direct employers of support workers, and the requirements of the NDIS Commission.
WAiS is nationally recognised for its commitment and work in guiding and educating people with disability and their families in self-managing their funding and support arrangements.
WAiS works together with people with disability, families, government and service providers, to design and promote individualised, self-directed supports and services, enabling them to have maximum choice and control over their arrangements.
At March 31, 2020, the NDIS reported that 37 per cent of WA participants in the scheme are self-managing their plans and this figure is expected to increase in line with experience in other States.
As stated by Disability Services Minister Stephen Dawson:
"As Western Australia is formally transitioning to the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission from today, it's more important than ever that people with disability and their families and carers, as well as the sector itself, are well prepared.
"This funding will be directed specifically to people who are self-managing their NDIS plans to ensure they understand their obligations and have the skills and knowledge they need to navigate the system.
"WAiS has a proven track record in successfully engaging and supporting self-managers. This will enable them to provide targeted support through a combination of strategies, including education and one-on-one interactions."
