Pricing updates – announced 22 June 2022
The NDIS have recently released their updated NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits (Price Guide) effective from 1 July 2022.
Below are some of the most notable key points:
Support work prices increased by 9%
Prices dependent on the Disability Support Worker Cost Model have been increased by 9%. This includes:
Assistance with self-care activities and establishment fees
Self and plan management capacity building
Assistance in SIL
Assistance to access community, social and recreational activities, including group supports and establishment fees
Supports in employment
Psychosocial Recovery Coaching
Tenancy support
Life transition planning
Individual skills development
Transition through school and to further education
Training for carers/parents
No more level 3 high-intensity supports
Where previous Price Guides included support work prices for 3 levels of complexity, the new Guide includes only two: the standard price, and a single “high intensity” price, which is defined as support provided to a person:
For whom frequent (at least 1 instance per shift) assistance is required to manage challenging behaviours that require intensive positive behaviour support; and/or
Who requires assistance from a disability support worker who has one or more of the high intensity support skills specified in the NDIS Commission’s NDIS Practice Standards: skills descriptors
Short notice cancellations now 7 days
The definition of "short notice" has been extended. Previously set at 2 days for shorter supports or 5 days for others, the definition is now set as a situation where a person:
Does not show up for a scheduled support within a reasonable time, or is not present at the agreed place and within a reasonable time when the provider is travelling to deliver the support; or
Has given less than seven (7) clear days’ notice for a support.
Providers are now also allowed to bill for Centre Capital Cost in the event of a short notice cancellation.
Nursing Supports up by 2.94%
Prices for nursing supports will be indexed by 2.94% in line with the Wage Price Index and Consumer Price Index.
Changes to provider travel rules
Core support providers are now also able to bill for journeys from the participant back to the usual place of work, provided that the person consents and the worker is paid for this trip (or that the worker is a sole trader). The maximum time billable per trip is 30 minutes (ie. 60 minutes return) or 60 minutes for people in remote/very remote areas. This brings core supports in line with the existing rules for capacity building supports.
Restructured line items for Allied Health Professionals
The Improved Daily Living support category has had a makeover, with new line items created for each allied health profession.