Our reference: FOI 24/25-0424
GPO Box 700
Canberra ACT 2601
1800 800 110
11 February 2025
ndis.gov.au
Rob Stewart
By email: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxx.xxx.xx
Dear Rob Stewart
Freedom of Information request — Notice of Decision
Thank you for your correspondence of 1 October 2024, seeking access under the
Freedom
of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act) to documents held by the National Disability Insurance
Agency (NDIA).
The purpose of this letter is to provide you with a decision on your request.
Scope of your request
You have requested access to the following documents:
“I request a list of all mortality and non-mortality exits for all current NDIS participants,
including those with and without active plans, from January 2020 to the most recent
available date. Please include:
1. Monthly totals of all mortality exits, broken down by state/territory, gender and age
2. Monthly totals of non-mortality exits (participants removed from the NDIS), including
reasons for exit if available, broken down by state/territory, gender and age
3. Total number of NDIS participants (with and without active plans) for each month, to
calculate accurate percentages.
4. Any data or reports on COVID-19 related deaths among NDIS participants.
5. Information on any changes to data collection or reporting methods during this period
that might affect the interpretation of trends.”
Timeframe
A 30-day statutory period for processing your request commenced from 2 October 2024 in
accordance with section 15(5)(b) of the FOI Act. The due date for a decision on access was
31 October 2024
. I note this time has lapsed and as a result we are deemed to have refused
your request under section 15AC of the FOI Act.
1
Despite this, I have continued to process your application. I apologise for the delay and
confirm that you retain your right to seek external review of this decision.
Decision on access to documents
I am authorised to make decisions under section 23(1) of the FOI Act. My decision on your
request and the reasons for my decision are set out below.
Section 17(1)(c) of the FOI Act provides that an agency can produce a written document
containing the requested information, by the use of a computer or other equipment that is
ordinarily available for retrieving or collating stored information. We have been able to
produce a document containing some of the information you requested. I have, therefore,
treated your request as if it were a request for access to this document in accordance with
section 17(1)(c) of the FOI Act.
I have identified 1 document, which fall within the scope of your request.
The document was identified by conducting searches of NDIA’s systems, using all
reasonable search terms that could return documents relevant to your request, and
consulting with the Analytics, Data & Actuarial Branch, who could be expected to be able to
identify documents within the scope of the request. Additional searches were undertaken
with our Service Delivery branch confirming that there has been no change in the reporting
methods for participant exits during the specified timeframe.
I have decided to grant access to 1 document in full.
In regard to point 4 of your request, the line area has advised that data has not been
collected regarding any Covid-19 deaths of participants.
In reaching my decision, I took the following into account:
• your correspondence outlining the scope of your request
• the nature and content of the documents falling within the scope of your request
• the FOI Act
• the FOI Guidelines published under section 93A of the FOI Act
• consultation with relevant NDIA staff
• the NDIA’s operating environment and functions.
2
Release of documents
The document for release, as referred to in the Schedule of Documents at
Attachment A, is
enclosed.
Rights of review
Your rights to seek a review of my decision, or lodge a complaint, are set out at
Attachment B.
Should you have any enquiries concerning this matter, please do not hesitate to contact me
by email
at xxx@xxxx.xxx.xx.
Yours sincerely
Cooper (CHH674)
Senior Freedom of Information Officer
Complaints Management & FOI Branch
General Counsel Division
3
Attachment A
Schedule of Documents for FOI 24/25-0424
Document
Page
Description
Access Decision
Comments
number
number
Created Document
FULL ACCESS
Document created under
1
1-4
section 17 of the FOI Act
As of 4 February 2025
1
Your review rights
As this matter was a deemed refusal, internal review of this decision is not an option.
However, if you have concern with any aspect of this decision, please contact the NDIA FOI
team by emai
l xxx@xxxx.xxx.xx or by post:
Freedom of Information Section
Complaints Management & FOI Branch
General Counsel Division
National Disability Insurance Agency
GPO Box 700
CANBERRA ACT 2601
Review by the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner
The FOI Act gives you the right to apply to the Office of the Australian Information
Commissioner (OAIC) to seek a review of this decision.
If you wish to have the decision reviewed by the OAIC, you may apply for the review, in
writing, or by using the online merits review form available on the OAIC’s website at
www.oaic.gov.au, within 60 days of receipt of this letter.
Applications for review can be lodged with the OAIC in the following ways:
Online:
www.oaic.gov.au
Post:
GPO Box 5218, Sydney NSW 2001
Email:
xxxxxxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx
Phone:
1300 363 992 (local call charge)
Complaints to the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner or the
Commonwealth Ombudsman
You may complain to either the Commonwealth Ombudsman or the OAIC about actions
taken by the NDIA in relation to your request. The Ombudsman will consult with the OAIC
before investigating a complaint about the handling of an FOI request.
Your complaint to the OAIC can be directed to the contact details identified above. Your
complaint to the Ombudsman can be directed to:
Phone:
1300 362 072 (local call charge)
Email:
xxxxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxx.xxx.xx
Your complaint should be in writing and should set out the grounds on which it is considered
that the actions taken in relation to the request should be investigated.
1
