21 August 2020

New South Wales and Victorian disability services will now be able to claim costs directly from the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) for the provision of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

Image: Surgical face masks and oral thermometer on a wooden table

Life Without Barriers has welcomed today’s announcement by NDIS Minister Stuart Robert that New South Wales and Victorian disability services will now be able to claim costs directly from the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) for the provision of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

Today the Minister announced:

  • providers in NSW and Victoria can claim an allowance of $1.70 per hour of support delivered in the Activities of Daily Life Support Category, to cover the cost of PPE

  • streamlined arrangements for providers to access PPE through the National Medical Stockpile where they are no longer able to access PPE through their usual means

Life Without Barriers Chief Executive Claire Robbs said that this is a welcome and responsive announcement from the Government.

“This announcement will give people with disability certainty in the provision of their services. It also means that their plans will not be impacted by having to cover the costs of PPE.

“It will also ensure that all service providers will be able to better meet the cost of necessary protective equipment as they provide direct supports to people with disability.

“The new measures also enhance access to this much needed equipment which will be of significant assistance in providing our services safely.

“As the pandemic has evolved, all of us have had to adjust our approach and implement new measures as we need to, and we thank the government for listening and responding to the sector and to people with disability in ensuring easy access to PPE.

“We look forward to continuing to work collaboratively with the Government as the pandemic continues in how we can continue to promote and protect the health of the people we support.”

Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Life Without Barriers is ensuring continuity of care for the people we support during this challenging time

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