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Our reference: FOI 24/25-1481 
 
GPO Box 700 
Canberra   ACT   2601 
1800 800 110 
21 March 2025 
ndis.gov.au 
 
 
Me 
 
By email: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxx.xxx.xx 
 
 
Dear Me 
Freedom of Information request — Notification of Decision 
Thank you for your correspondence of 8 March 2025, in which you requested access to 
documents held by the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA), under the Freedom of 
Information Act 1982 (FOI Act). 
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 conditions/diagnoses (however described) that must be referred to 
TAB before an application that includes at least one of those conditions/diagnoses can 
be approved (that is, ‘access met’).” 
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.  
I have identified 1 document, which falls within the scope of your request.  
The document was identified by TAPIB who conducted searches of NDIA’s systems, using 
all reasonable search terms that could return documents relevant to your request, and 
consulting with relevant NDIA staff who could be expected to be able to identify documents 
within the scope of the request. 
I have decided to refuse access to 1 document in full.  
 
 
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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 
  relevant case law concerning the operation of the FOI Act  
  consultation with relevant NDIA staff 
  factors relevant to my assessment of whether or not disclosure would be in the public 
interest 
  the NDIA’s operating environment and functions. 
Reasons for decision 
Certain operations of agencies (section 47E(d)) 
Section 47E(d) of the FOI Act conditionally exempts a document if its disclosure would, or 
could reasonably be expected to, have a substantial adverse effect on the proper and 
efficient conduct of the operations of an agency. 
Document 1 contains information relating to certain operations of the NDIA, specifically:  
internal guidance given to staff in relation to the quantum of supports to include within a 
participant’s plan in determining the level of supports a participant may require. 
The disclosure of this information would reveal methodologies the NDIA uses to assist in 
determining levels of support provided to NDIS participants, which is to better ensure that 
participants receive supports that are reasonable and necessary. Any disclosure resulting in 
the prejudice of the effectiveness of the Agency’s operational methods and procedures 
would, or could reasonably be expected to, result in the need for the Agency to change 
those methods and procedures to ensure the future effectiveness and sustainability of the 
Agency and the Scheme. 
I am satisfied that the release of this information would potentially result in the public 
disclosure of internal methodologies that, through improper use, would, or could, lead to a 
distortion of funding levels that would substantially and adversely affect the integrity of the 
NDIS and its financial sustainability. Accordingly, I have decided that the relevant information 
in Document 1 is conditionally exempt under section 47E(d) of the FOI Act. 
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Accordingly, I find that disclosure of this information would or could reasonably be expected 
to have a substantial adverse effect on the operations of the Agency and is therefore 
conditionally exempt under section 47E(d) of the FOI Act. 
Public interest considerations – section 47E(d) 
Section 11A(5) of the FOI Act provides that access to a document covered by a conditional 
exemption must be provided unless disclosure would be contrary to the public interest.  
I have not considered any of the irrelevant factors as set out under section 11B(4) of the FOI 
Act in making this decision. 
In favour of disclosure, I have considered the factors outlined in section 11B(3) of the FOI 
Act, and I have determined that disclosure of the relevant information in Document 1 would 
promote the objects of the FOI Act by providing access to documents held by the 
government and providing access to information. 
Against disclosure, I consider that disclosure of the relevant information in Documents XX:  
  would not contribute to the publication of information of sufficient public interest to justify 
the likely harm caused by release 
  would not enhance Australia’s representative democracy in the ways described in 
section 11B(3) of the FOI Act 
  would not inform any debate on a matter of public importance, or promote oversight of 
public expenditure. 
While there is limited public interest in the disclosure of information conditionally exempt 
under section 47E(d) of the FOI Act, the harm that would result from disclosure is that it 
could reasonably be expected to:  
  prejudice the ability of the Agency to provide guidance to staff and to decision makers in 
classifying applicants based on support needs in order to comply with their obligations 
and make informed decisions in relation to the quantum of funding to add to each 
reasonable and necessary support, which, in turn, helps to ensure the financial stability 
and integrity of the NDIS. 
In summary, I am satisfied that the factors against disclosure of the information outweigh the 
factors in favour of disclosure and that, on balance, it would be contrary to the public interest 
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to release this information to you. Accordingly, I have decided that the relevant information in 
Document 1 is exempt under section 47E(d) of the FOI Act. 
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 
 
 
Kate (KIM627) 
A/Assistant Director – Freedom of Information 
Non Personals Team 
Complaints Management & FOI Branch 
General Counsel Division 
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Attachment A 
 
Schedule of Documents for FOI 24/25-1481 
 
Document 
Page 
Description 
Access Decision 
number 
number 
1 N/A 
Refused Document 
REFUSED ACCESS 
Exemption claimed: 
s47E(d) – certain operations of agencies 
 
 
 
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Attachment B 
Your review rights  
 
Internal Review  
The FOI Act gives you the right to apply for an internal review of this decision. The review 
will be conducted by a different person to the person who made the original decision. 
 
If you wish to seek an internal review of the decision, you must apply for the review, in 
writing, within 30 days of receipt of this letter. 
 
No particular form is required for an application for internal review, but to assist the review 
process, you should clearly outline your grounds for review (that is, the reasons why you 
disagree with the decision). Applications for internal review can be lodged by email to 
xxx@xxxx.xxx.xx or sent by post to: 
 
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 also 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. 
 
 
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