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.  

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References

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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 Bob Buckley,
I hope this email finds you well.

Freedom of Information Request: Acknowledgement

Thank you for your request of 04 February 2025, 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:

“ Dear National Disability Insurance Agency, I request, under the
provisions of the Freedom of Information Act, all policy, instruction,
case management guidance, advice, briefings, training materials, etc.
(either completed or in development) since 2020 about the NDIS as
Respondent seeking involvement of a so-called Independent Medical Expert
(IME), or similar role, in relation to either or both Administrative
Appeals Tribunal (AAT) or Administrative Review Tribunal (ART) reviews of
NDIS decisions about an NDIS participants' plans (or Statements of
Participant Supports). I am after general information, not information
about reviews of individual decisions. Please omit information that is
specific to any individual matter under review.

Processing Timeframes

In accordance with section 15(5)(b) of the FOI Act, a 30-day statutory
period for processing your request commenced from 05 February 2025. This
30-day period expired on 06 March 2025.
The 30-day period can be extended in a number of ways, including with your
agreement.

Thank you for advising with your initial request that you were amendable
to a 30 day extension of time.
We have applied for the additional 30 days under section 15AA of the FOI
act. This extension would make the due date of your request 06 April 2025.
During this time I was able to complete some preliminary work on your
request, including liaising with multiple line areas within the agency to
assess if they may hold relevant documentation.

On 03 April 2025 I have applied to the OAIC for a further extension of
time under Section 15AB of the FOI act.
My reasoning for applying for this extension was due to the volume and
complexity of documents that were likely to be returned from multiple
different line areas within the agency after consultation processes were
complete.
Currently we are awaiting a response from the OAIC regarding the request
for further extension under Section 15AB.

Next steps

I have completed some preliminary work on your request, however your
matter will be allocated to an authorised FOI decision-maker for any
further action. 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

Beau (BJA068)

Freedom of Information Officer

Information Release, Privacy and Legal Operations Branch
Reviews and Information Release 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

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Our reference:            RQ25/01765

Agency reference:    FOI-3 24/25-1246

Agency name              National Disability Insurance Agency
By Email:                        [NDIA request email]

Name                              Bob Buckley
By Email:                       
[FOI #12810 email]

Extension of time under s 15AB

Dear Parties,

Please find attached an extension of time decision relating to the above
referenced FOI request.

Regards,

[1][IMG]   Andriana DeIeso

Review Adviser

Office of the Australian Information Commissioner

GPO Box 5288 Sydney NSW 2001

E [2][email address]
 
 
The OAIC acknowledges Traditional Custodians of Country across
Australia and their continuing connection to land, waters and
communities. We pay our respect to First Nations people,
cultures and Elders past and present.  

[3]Subscribe to Information Matters

Notice:

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References

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1. https://www.oaic.gov.au/
2. mailto:[email address]
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