Newsletter Dec 2024

This is our final newsletter for 2024, with an update on our work in lobbying the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) and the Department of Social Services (DSS) now sexual services have been prohibited from being funded under the NDIS ACT.

Holiday closing dates   

Touching Base will be taking a break over the summer holiday period to give our hard working volunteers a well-deserved rest. We have closed down our activities on Friday 20th December 2024 and will reopen on Monday 13th January 2025.

NDIA/DSS Negotiating Team overview

The core NDIA/DSS Negotiating Team, comprising representatives from People With Disability Australia (PWDA), Women with Disabilities Australia (WWDA), Touching Base, Scarlet Alliance, and other key stakeholders, continues to:

  • Collaborate with the NDIA and Department of Social Services: Engage in co-design efforts to address ambiguities in definitions and policies under the NDIS Act.
  • Drive Advocacy: Ensure the needs and rights of NDIS participants are central to discussions.
  • Support Development of Solutions: Work towards participant-centred solutions that align with the Objects of the NDIS Act.

Update 

After several communications by correspondence, our most recent meeting online with the NDIA representative focused on addressing the current inconsistencies in definitions under the NDIS Act and the significant impacts these have on participants and providers.

During this meeting there was an emphasis on the need to resolve ongoing inconsistencies in definitions within the NDIS Act and the significant impact these inconsistencies have on participants’ access to supports.

The NDIA has confirmed the grace transitional period of 1 year does not apply to sexual services. However, because sexual services haven’t been defined yet, it still isn’t clear what disability related sexual supports can still be funded.

What’s next 

The NDIA has committed to ongoing consultations and co-design in 2025 to refine definitions and address concerns raised by stakeholders. We continue to work towards finding common ground that will clarify what the NDIS will fund in relation to disability specific sexual supports.

In the meantime, WWDA on behalf of the NDIA/DSS Negotiating Team is seeking a legal opinion on defining the term “sexual services” in relation to the Objects of the NDIS Act.

Season’s greetings

As we begin the holiday period, wishing you all the best for 2025 and we look forward to connecting with you next year.

From the team at Touching Base

Touching Base endorses The Uluru Statement from the Heart and acknowledges First Nations as the traditional custodians of country throughout Australia, their diversity, histories and knowledge, and their continuing connections to land and community. As Australians all, we respect our nation’s First Peoples, their cultures, and Elders of past, present and future generations.