Australians divided on what people are claiming on the NDIS

Revelations from private Facebook groups where families coach each other on how to use NDIS funds have divided Australians. Share your story or have your say.

Revelations from private Facebook groups where families coach each other on how to use NDIS funds have divided Australians.

The special News Corp investigation that coincided with the Federal Government’s announcement of an $8 billion blowout in the NDIS budget, has uncovered how some people using the scheme are getting around the rules of what is claimable

Communications on the social media groups reveal families registered with the National Disability Insurance Scheme are helping each other access taxpayer funded ski lessons, Apple Watches, vinyl floorboards and even “respite in a hotel room, with a book, quiet time and a glass of wine”. One anonymous poster asked about accessing a sex worker/escort service.

On one social media page with almost 60,000 members, one anonymous poster wanted to know if her NDIS respite plan allowed her to book a night away on her own, without the need of a support worker.

An comment on one of the private Facebook groups on how to use the NDIS.

Group members commonly replied most things would be approved if there was some link to a disability and that it aligned with prearranged goals.

Another example of one of the Facebook group posts.

News Corp has received hundreds of reader comments to the reports, showing a clear divide on the issue.

One reader offered a stark contrast in his comment.

“Come and interview me,” he wrote. “I’ll tell you how much shortfall there is in my son’s plan, how every day he threatens to kill himself and there’s my psychiatric help available. How I grind through every day as a single dad with depression because they won’t fund support workers and respite. The NDIS is (sic) lifeline that barely keeps my son (or afloat). Absolutely disgraceful that you want to frame the scheme this way!”

Another reader took aim at the providers of NDIS-funded services.

“There are some people who do abuse the system but I would say the worst is the providers who are charging the ridiculous fees that the gvt [government] sets,” she wrote.

“My son went to a special school and the use of iPads etc is very legitimate. I get my son to do personal training and tennis lessons as part of his package.

“If it was the physio or OT [occupational therapist] doing the session people wouldn’t have an issue. Tennis is eye hand coord [co-ordination], crossing midline (need this to read and write) planning, proprioception, turn taking and a social sport, getting rid of some aggression.

“Don’t you think this is much better than a pill? Things are not so black and white. By the way, I am a physio so I know the fees and the guidelines. I am one of those providers who charge my NDIS clients the same as everyone else. Same service, same fee.”

This reader was one of many who shared his disappointment with the NDIS.

What has your experience of the NDIS been? Do you think they overcharge? Share your story.

A reader shared her encounter with a woman at Centrelink.

Dr Martin Laverty, CEO of disability services company Aruma told News Corp the NDIS urgently needs to settle who is eligible and what they can claim for.

“We need to ensure we are providing reasonable and necessary supports that are effective. The reason I’m using the word reasonable and necessary [is that’s] the definition in the legislation as to what the NDIS is meant to fund,” Dr Laverty said.

One reader revealed the NDIS is not the only system open to interpretation.

Dr Laverty said the legislation was vague “on exactly what the NDIS should fund”.

“If the review settles, who is the NDIS for and what are they eligible for [then] scheme sustainability can be assured into the future,” he said.

This reader revealed another side to the NDIS.

NDIS Minister Bill Shorten said he wasn’t going to “jump to judgment” without knowing the backstories and individual circumstances of people.

“One observation that I can make, is after speaking to thousands of Australians about the NDIS, that there is so much red tape that people sometimes compare notes on how to deal with mind numbing, pointless bureaucracy,” Mr Shorten said.

“Dealing with the NDIS should not be a second full time job for participants, their families or carers,” he said.

Originally published as Australians divided on what people are claiming on the NDIS