The NDIA have recently released updated versions of the following documents:

- Version 1.1 of the NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits 2022-2023

- Version 1.2 of the COVID Addendum 2022-2023

Both documents are effective as of 1 October 2022. Here is a summary of the main changes that we’ve observed:

Changes to the COVID Addendum

Portable Air Purifier

As a temporary COVID measure, Participants may be able to use their existing Core funding to purchase a portable air purifier. Participants may be eligible if they:

• have a disability that puts them at increased risk of acquiring COVID-19 or becoming seriously ill if they do acquire it (such as a disability that compromises breathing)
• are at increased risk of acquiring Covid-19 due to the close personal supports they receive
• are unable to effectively minimise their risk of acquiring COVID-19 through other means due to their disability

The expected price range of a portable air purifier would lie between $300-$700 per unit and will be treated as low-cost AT. As such, Participants who wish to purchase a device that costs less than $1500 won’t need to provide evidence or seek approval.

However, Participants who require additional funding or believe they need to purchase a device that costs more than $1500 will need to undergo a plan reassessment and provide relevant evidence.

Changes to the Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits

Terminology

• Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) will now be referred to as Early Childhood (EC) Supports.

Core supports

• The line items for Early Childhood Supports in Core have been changed. Separate line items for Occupational Therapists, Speech Pathologists, Podiatrists, and Dietitians have been added whereas the line items for Counsellors and Exercise Physiologists have been removed. The removed supports may potentially still be claimable using the ‘Other Professionals’ line item.
• Onsite Shared Supports for Specialty Disability Accommodation (SDA) have been added as Core supports.

Capacity Building

• The line item 15_005_0118_1_3 for therapy supports from an ‘Early Childhood Professional’ (previously ‘Other Professional’) has been clarified further. Providers that are now specified in this line item include Developmental Educators, Early Childhood Teachers/Educators, Occupational Therapists, Social Workers, and Speech Pathologists. Supports from ‘Other Professionals’ are still included in this line item.
• Qualification requirements for ‘Other Professionals’ have been changed in CB Improved Daily Living for Early Childhood Supports. Providers must have a bachelor’s degree or higher in their relevant area and be registered with their relevant peak body. It is also expected that the provider delivers supports in line with the NDIS Commission’s NDIS Practice Standards and Quality Indicators for Early Childhood Supports rather than the registration requirements for the NDIS Quality and Safeguarding Commission. As such, parents may be able to choose alternative professionals, such as those that specialise in Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA), to provide Early Childhood Support.

The therapy supports for Participants who are aged 7 and older remain unchanged.