NDIS Reform: When Feedback Changes Engagement

Good engagement isn’t only about listening to feedback on a policy or proposal. Sometimes, the feedback is about the engagement process itself.

That’s what has happened during the latest round of NDIS reform engagement.

The Australian Government is currently running several consultations as part of its NDIS reform program. Following stakeholder feedback 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 so the community can focus on providing feedback on one topic at a time.

Listening to Feedback About Engagement

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

This latest development offers a practical example of what responsiveness can look like.

Engagement plans are built around timelines, decisions and organisational requirements. But the people being asked to contribute have their own capacity constraints — particularly when the same communities are being asked to respond to multiple complex reforms.

The lesson for practitioners is simple: listen to what people are telling you about the engagement process, not only the issue you’re engaging them on.

That could mean reconsidering timing, sequencing, accessibility or how much information people are being asked to process at once.

And importantly, being responsive sometimes means changing the plan.

The NDIS reform program continues, with several consultations currently underway and further engagement planned.

EXPLORE THE NDIS REFORM ENGAGEMENT

READ OUR ARTICLE ON NDIS REFORM AND TRUST