Functional capacity assessments
Dear National Disability Insurance Agency,
I'm writing to request access to documents under the Freedom of Information Act 1982. Specifically, the following documents:
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
(1). Article “Understand functional capacity assessments”
(2). Article “Create a new functional capacity assessment case”
(3). An un-redacted copy of “SGP KP Publishing – Record assessment - WHODAS” that was previously released in FOI 24/25-0230
(4). All other internal articles, guidance, and standard operating procedures about functional capacity assessments (both general and about specific assessment tools)
(5). The “WHODAS2 Training Presentation” document
(6). All training materials provided or available to staff about functional capacity assessments (both general and about specific assessment tools)
Please include all identified documents in full. I consider all parts of a document to be relevant, except the surnames and contact details of staff, which can be removed.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
I can be contacted at this address if you require further information or clarification.
Thank you for your assistance.
Yours faithfully,
Clementine Saber
Thank you for your email to the National Disability Insurance Agency
(NDIA) Freedom of Information (FOI) team.
Please note: due to a high volume of requests, our ability to respond to
you in a timely manner may be affected. We will action your request as
soon as possible and will endeavour to process your matter within the
legislative deadlines. We may need to seek your agreement to an extension
of time. We appreciate your understanding if this is required.
Participant Information
Did you know the NDIA has other ways to access the documents and
information that we hold?
Participants, Guardians and Nominees can obtain copies of some participant
information through our National Contact Centre (NCC). For more
information about what’s available through the NCC, please contact 1800
800 110.
Please visit our [1]Access to Information webpage to find out more about
accessing information through:
* The [2]Participant Information Access (PIA) scheme
* The [3]Information Publication Scheme (IPS)
* The [4]myplace portal for participants
* The [5]myplace portal for providers
Access to Data
You can also request data and statistics. Please visit our [6]Data and
insights webpage page for further information.
If you are able to obtain your information from a source listed above, you
can withdraw your FOI request by emailing [7][NDIA request email]
Further Information
Information about how to make an FOI request can be found on our website:
[8]Freedom of Information
Should you have a query unrelated to FOI, please contact the Agency by
email at [9][email address] or via webchat at [10]ndis.gov.au.
Alternatively, you can also contact us by phoning 1800 800 110.
Kind regards
Freedom of Information Team
Complaints Management & FOI Branch
General Counsel Division
National Disability Insurance Agency
E [11][NDIA request email]
The NDIA acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout
Australia and their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We
pay our respects to them and their cultures and to Elders past, present
and emerging.
References
Visible links
1. https://www.ndis.gov.au/about-us/policie...
https://www.ndis.gov.au/about-us/policie...
2. https://www.ndis.gov.au/about-us/policie...
https://www.ndis.gov.au/about-us/policie...
3. https://www.ndis.gov.au/about-us/policie...
https://www.ndis.gov.au/about-us/policie...
4. https://www.ndis.gov.au/participants/usi...
https://www.ndis.gov.au/participants/usi...
5. https://www.ndis.gov.au/providers/workin...
https://www.ndis.gov.au/providers/workin...
6. https://data.ndis.gov.au/
https://data.ndis.gov.au/
7. mailto:[NDIA request email]
mailto:[NDIA request email]
8. https://www.ndis.gov.au/about-us/policie...
https://www.ndis.gov.au/about-us/policie...
9. mailto:[email address]
mailto:[email address]
10. https://www.ndis.gov.au/
https://www.ndis.gov.au/
11. mailto:[NDIA request email]
Dear Clementine Saber
Freedom of Information Request: Acknowledgement
Thank you for your request of 17 November 2024, made under the Freedom of
Information Act 1982 (FOI Act), for copies of documents held by the
National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA).
Scope of your Request
You have requested access to:
“…(1). Article “Understand functional capacity assessments”
(2). Article “Create a new functional capacity assessment case”
(3). An un-redacted copy of “SGP KP Publishing – Record assessment -
WHODAS” that was previously released in FOI 24/25-0230
(4). All other internal articles, guidance, and standard operating
procedures about functional capacity assessments (both general and about
specific assessment tools)
(5). The “WHODAS2 Training Presentation” document
(6). All training materials provided or available to staff about
functional capacity assessments (both general and about specific
assessment tools)…”
Irrelevant Information
Section 22 of the FOI Act allows an Agency to redact information from
documents if that information would reasonably be regarded as irrelevant
to a request for access.
Given the nature of your request, it does not seem that NDIA staff
members’ surnames and contact details would be relevant to you. Can you
please send me a reply email confirming that such details are irrelevant
to your request for access?
Processing Timeframes
In accordance with section 15(5)(b) of the FOI Act, a 30-day statutory
period for processing your request commenced from 18 November 2024. This
30-day period expires on 18 December 2024.
The 30-day period can be extended in a number of ways, including with your
agreement.
Unfortunately, it is currently taking us a little longer than 30 days to
process FOI requests. I am therefore seeking your agreement to a 30-day
extension of time under section 15AA of the FOI Act. If you agree to this
extension, the new due date for us to decide on your request will be 17
January 2024.
If you do not agree and we are unable to process your request within the
30-day period expiring on 18 December 2024, we will be deemed to have
refused your request and you will not have a right to seek internal review
of that decision. You will, however, retain your right to external review
by the Australian Information Commissioner.
Please let us know if you agree by Tuesday 26 November 2024.
Disclosure Log
Subject to certain exceptions, documents released under the FOI Act will
be published on the NDIA’s disclosure log located on our website.
If you have any concerns about the publication of the documents you have
requested, please contact me.
Next steps
Your request will be allocated to an authorised FOI decision-maker. The
decision-maker may need to contact you to discuss a range of matters,
including refining the scope of your request.
We will contact you using the email address you have provided. Please
advise if you would prefer us to use an alternative means of contact.
In the meantime, if you have any questions or need help, please contact us
at [1][NDIA request email].
Regards
Cindy – CGN062
Senior Freedom of Information Officer
Complaints Management & FOI Branch
General Counsel Division
National Disability Insurance Agency
E [2][NDIA request email]
[3]NDIA logo
[4]LGBTIQA+ rainbow graphic
The NDIA acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout
Australia and their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We
pay our respects to them and their cultures and to Elders past, present
and emerging.
[5]Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags graphic
Dear National Disability Insurance Agency,
I agree to a 30-day extension of time.
Yours sincerely,
Clementine Saber
Dear Clementine Saber
Please find attached documents for points 1 and 5 of your current request
that have been previously released via the disclosure log.
Can you please confirm that you wish to have these parts removed from your
request?
Patrick
Freedom of Information Officer
Complaints Management and FOI Branch
General Counsel Division
National Disability Insurance Agency
E: [1][NDIA request email]
[2]Title: NDIS delivered by the National Disability Insurance Agency
[3]LGBTIQA+ rainbow graphic
The NDIA acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout
Australia and their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We
pay our respects to them and their cultures and to Elders past, present
and emerging.
[4]Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags graphic
Dear Patrick,
I’m sorry but there’s no way for me to verify that those documents are up to date unless they’re actually produced as a part of my current request. Please continue with all six points included.
Yours sincerely,
Clementine Saber
Dear Patrick,
Please confirm that you are continuing with the full scope of my request because I disagree with the exclusion you've suggested.
Thanks,
Clementine
Thank you for your email to the National Disability Insurance Agency
(NDIA) Freedom of Information (FOI) team.
Please note: due to a high volume of requests, our ability to respond to
you in a timely manner may be affected. We will action your request as
soon as possible and will endeavour to process your matter within the
legislative deadlines. We may need to seek your agreement to an extension
of time. We appreciate your understanding if this is required.
Participant Information
Did you know the NDIA has other ways to access the documents and
information that we hold?
Participants, Guardians and Nominees can obtain copies of some participant
information through our National Contact Centre (NCC). For more
information about what’s available through the NCC, please contact 1800
800 110.
Please visit our [1]Access to Information webpage to find out more about
accessing information through:
* The [2]Participant Information Access (PIA) scheme
* The [3]Information Publication Scheme (IPS)
* The [4]myplace portal for participants
* The [5]myplace portal for providers
Access to Data
You can also request data and statistics. Please visit our [6]Data and
insights webpage page for further information.
If you are able to obtain your information from a source listed above, you
can withdraw your FOI request by emailing [7][NDIA request email]
Further Information
Information about how to make an FOI request can be found on our website:
[8]Freedom of Information
Should you have a query unrelated to FOI, please contact the Agency by
email at [9][email address] or via webchat at [10]ndis.gov.au.
Alternatively, you can also contact us by phoning 1800 800 110.
Kind regards
Freedom of Information Team
Complaints Management & FOI Branch
General Counsel Division
National Disability Insurance Agency
E [11][NDIA request email]
The NDIA acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout
Australia and their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We
pay our respects to them and their cultures and to Elders past, present
and emerging.
References
Visible links
1. https://www.ndis.gov.au/about-us/policie...
2. https://www.ndis.gov.au/about-us/policie...
3. https://www.ndis.gov.au/about-us/policie...
4. https://www.ndis.gov.au/participants/usi...
5. https://www.ndis.gov.au/providers/workin...
6. https://data.ndis.gov.au/
7. mailto:[NDIA request email]
8. https://www.ndis.gov.au/about-us/policie...
9. mailto:[email address]
10. https://www.ndis.gov.au/
11. mailto:[NDIA request email]
Dear Clementine
Apologies for the delay in responding.
I confirm we are continuing to process your request with the full scope.
Kind regards
Patrick (PHO293)
Senior Freedom of Information Officer
Complaints Management and FOI Branch
National Disability Insurance Agency
E [1][NDIA request email]
[2]NDIA logo
[3]LGBTIQA+ rainbow graphic
The NDIA acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout
Australia and their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We
pay our respects to them and their cultures and to Elders past, present
and emerging.
[4]Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags graphic
Dear Clementine
I apologise for the delay in processing your request.
I have concluded searches for documents with the appropriate line areas
and have the documents I believe to be relevant to the scope of your
request.
Points 1-5 of your request returned 24 documents totalling 263 pages.
These documents have been reviewed and can be organised for release
shortly. Point 6 of your request returned 13 documents totalling 811
pages. This brings the total pages to 1,074 to satisfy the scope of your
request.
As it stands, a practical refusal reason exists as the work involved with
processing your request would substantially and unreasonably divert the
resources of the NDIA from its other operations. As such, I am informally
reaching out to negotiate narrowing the scope of your request, before
progressing to the formal 24AB process.
I note that in your request you have requested that you consider all parts
of a document to be relevant, excluding surnames and contact details of
staff.
The 811 pages relating to point 6 of your request consists mostly of
PowerPoint presentations for staff being onboarded to the agency, and
discuss a broad range of subjects, including functional capacity
assessments. The line area that provided these documents have included the
pages of the documents that are relevant to functional capacity
assessments, when narrowed to only those pages, it reduces the pages
relevant to point 6 to 128 pages.
As such, there are three options to progress this request:
1. Withdraw point 6 of your request and submit it as a new Freedom of
Information request, the practical refusal reason may still apply
however we can then look at narrowing that scope while providing the
information to points 1-5 without delay.
2. Allow us to consider information within the documents for point 6
irrelevant, reducing the pages in scope of point 6 to 128 pages and
allowing us to progress your application as a whole.
3. Refuse both options, to which I will progress to the 24AB process, and
advise that if you refuse to narrow the scope, and negotiate to remove
the practical refusal reason, your request will be refused in full and
no documents will be provided.
I’m happy to negotiate with any other way you believe may remove the
practical refusal reason.
Kind regards
Patrick (PHO293)
Senior Freedom of Information Officer
Complaints Management and FOI Branch
National Disability Insurance Agency
E [1][NDIA request email]
[2]NDIA logo
[3]LGBTIQA+ rainbow graphic
The NDIA acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout
Australia and their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We
pay our respects to them and their cultures and to Elders past, present
and emerging.
[4]Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags graphic
From: foi <[NDIA request email]>
Sent: Tuesday, 14 January 2025 10:05 AM
To: '[FOI #12336 email]'
<[FOI #12336 email]>
Cc: foi <[NDIA request email]>
Subject: RE: FW: FOI 24/25-0756 – Your request for information –
Acknowledgement & Extension of Time [SEC=OFFICIAL]
Dear Clementine
Apologies for the delay in responding.
I confirm we are continuing to process your request with the full scope.
Kind regards
Patrick (PHO293)
Senior Freedom of Information Officer
Complaints Management and FOI Branch
National Disability Insurance Agency
E [5][NDIA request email]
[6]NDIA logo
[7]LGBTIQA+ rainbow graphic
The NDIA acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout
Australia and their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We
pay our respects to them and their cultures and to Elders past, present
and emerging.
[8]Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags graphic
Hi Patrick,
Thanks for reaching out informally to discuss this first.
I’m happy to limit point 6 to basically just the relevant FCA pages, but is it possible to do the following as well?
1. Make sure that the 128 pages you’ve mentioned aren’t redacted beyond removing names and contact details. Like if those pages also happen to contain non-FCA related information on them, please don’t cut that out just because I’ve said yes to excluding the other full non-FCA related pages.
2. For each document where I’m only getting the FCA pages, in an effort to preserve the context of the document/information, please also include (if applicable):
- The title page.
- The contents page.
- Introduction/overview pages, like pages that state the materials intended audience and purpose.
- The version history or info about when it was published.
I would assume those pages can be found at the start/end of each document, so it wouldn’t require reading all 811 pages, and would hopefully be fine?
I’m also open to moving this to a seperate request if you think doing the above is possible but it would substantially delay the release of the other document (like by more than 3 or 4 weeks on top of the time you estimate it will take to complete this release with just points 1-5). If I was to seperate it into a new request, would it be assigned to you, so that none of this gets lost in the move?
Thanks for you help,
Clem
Dear Clementine
Thank you for your email.
I agree to those conditions, however I wish to clarify, I have not read
the information in these documents yet so I cannot confirm that exempt
information will not be redacted. However, of the 128 pages that are in
scope and the pages I have included as part of point 2 of your email, I
will not consider anything in these to be irrelevant to your request.
I hope to provide a decision on this matter to you shortly.
Kind regards
Patrick (PHO293)
Senior Freedom of Information Officer
Complaints Management and FOI Branch
National Disability Insurance Agency
E [1][NDIA request email]
[2]NDIA logo
[3]LGBTIQA+ rainbow graphic
The NDIA acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout
Australia and their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We
pay our respects to them and their cultures and to Elders past, present
and emerging.
[4]Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags graphic
Dear Patrick,
Thank you that's great. One other thing I should have flagged about the PowerPoint presentations, that would include the slides plus any notes/speech that would be accompanying the slides correct?
Yours sincerely,
Clem
Dear Clementine
None of the PowerPoint presentations have been provided to me with
notes/speech. This would most likely be as a result of the interpretation
of the request by the line area:
(6). All training materials provided or available to staff about
functional capacity assessments (both general and about specific
assessment tools)
Any notes or speech would not be provided or available to staff, only the
presenter.
Kind regards
Patrick (PHO293)
Senior Freedom of Information Officer
Complaints Management and FOI Branch
National Disability Insurance Agency
E [1][NDIA request email]
[2]NDIA logo
[3]LGBTIQA+ rainbow graphic
The NDIA acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout
Australia and their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We
pay our respects to them and their cultures and to Elders past, present
and emerging.
[4]Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags graphic
Hi Patrick,
Ah I see, thank you, I'll keep that in mind for next time.
Yours sincerely,
Clem
Dear Clementine
After reviewing some of the documents this afternoon I have noticed that
relevant notes were provided by the line area as separate documents.
I will consider these in scope of the application.
Kind regards
Patrick (PHO293)
Senior Freedom of Information Officer
Complaints Management and FOI Branch
National Disability Insurance Agency
E [1][NDIA request email]
[2]NDIA logo
[3]LGBTIQA+ rainbow graphic
The NDIA acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout
Australia and their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We
pay our respects to them and their cultures and to Elders past, present
and emerging.
[4]Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags graphic
From: foi
Sent: Thursday, 6 February 2025 9:37 AM
To: '[FOI #12336 email]'
<[FOI #12336 email]>
Cc: foi <[NDIA request email]>
Subject: RE: FW: FOI 24/25-0756 – Your request for information –
Acknowledgement & Extension of Time [SEC=OFFICIAL]
Dear Clementine
None of the PowerPoint presentations have been provided to me with
notes/speech. This would most likely be as a result of the interpretation
of the request by the line area:
(6). All training materials provided or available to staff about
functional capacity assessments (both general and about specific
assessment tools)
Any notes or speech would not be provided or available to staff, only the
presenter.
Kind regards
Patrick (PHO293)
Senior Freedom of Information Officer
Complaints Management and FOI Branch
National Disability Insurance Agency
E [5][NDIA request email]
[6]NDIA logo
[7]LGBTIQA+ rainbow graphic
The NDIA acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout
Australia and their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We
pay our respects to them and their cultures and to Elders past, present
and emerging.
[8]Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags graphic
Dear Clementine Saber
Thank you for your request for information.
Please find attached correspondence and documents in relation to your
request. If you require these in a different format, please let us know.
Please contact us at [1][NDIA request email] if you have any questions or
require help.
Thank you.
Kind regards
Patrick
Complaints Management and FOI Branch
General Counsel Division
National Disability Insurance Agency
E: [2][NDIA request email]
[3]Title: NDIS delivered by the National Disability Insurance Agency
[4]LGBTIQA+ rainbow graphic
The NDIA acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout
Australia and their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We
pay our respects to them and their cultures and to Elders past, present
and emerging.
[5]Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags graphic