NDIS Reform: Responding to Engagement Feedback

Meaningful engagement is not only about seeking feedback on a policy or proposal. It also requires organisations to pay attention to how people are being asked to engage.

The Australian Government is currently running several consultations as part of its NDIS reform program. Following concerns raised by stakeholders about the volume of consultation underway, it has deferred consultation on proposed market reforms for social and community activities and capacity building.

The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing says engagement will instead occur in stages, allowing the community to focus on providing feedback on one topic at a time.

This decision relates specifically to the consultation process. It does not resolve broader concerns being raised across the disability community about the proposed reforms, their potential impacts or other aspects of the engagement program.

Listening to Feedback About Engagement

When we last examined the NDIS reforms, we considered why trust and meaningful engagement would be critical as significant changes to the Scheme progressed.

This latest development provides a useful point for practitioners to consider: engagement processes need to remain responsive to the capacity and needs of the people being asked to engage.

Engagement plans are often shaped by reform timelines, decision-making requirements and organisational priorities. However, communities and stakeholders have their own capacity constraints — particularly when they are being asked to respond to several complex and potentially consequential proposals at once.

Practitioners need to listen to what people are saying about the engagement process, as well as the issue under consideration. This may require reconsidering timing, sequencing, accessibility or the amount of information people are expected to process.

Changing the plan is one way to respond. It does not, by itself, demonstrate that wider concerns have been addressed. Continued transparency, accessibility and accountability will remain important as the NDIS reform program progresses.

EXPLORE THE NDIS REFORM ENGAGEMENT

READ OUR ARTICLE ON NDIS REFORM AND TRUST