NDIS Access Statistics (March to June, 2023 and 2024)
Dear National Disability Insurance Agency,
I request access to this information under the Freedom of Information Act.
Please provide the following figures per month, for the periods:
• March to June 2023 (inclusive)
• March to June 2024 (inclusive)
1. The number of access requests received by the NDIA.
2. The number of access eligibility decisions made by the NDIA, where the applicant was found to be eligible. And of those;
• 2a). The number of those decisions made within 21 days of receiving the access request.
• 2b). The number of those decisions made within 60 days of receiving the access request.
• 2c). The number of those decisions made within 111 days of receiving the access request.
• 2d). The number of those decisions made 112 or more days after receiving the access request.
3. The average number of days between receiving an access request and making an access “eligible” decision.
4. The number of access decisions made by the NDIA, where the applicant was found -not- to be eligible. And of those;
• 4a). The number of those decisions made within 21 days of receiving the access request.
• 4b). The number of those decisions made within 60 days of receiving the access request.
• 4c). The number of those decisions made within 111 days of receiving the access request.
• 4d). The number of those decisions made 112 or more days after receiving the access request.
5. The average number of days between receiving an access request and making an access “not eligible” decision.
6. The number of s100 internal reviews requested for access decisions.
7. The number of requests for more information made by the NDIA, under section 26 of the NDIS Act. And;
• 7a). The number of requests for more information made within 21 days of receiving the access request.
• 7b). The number of requests for more information made within 60 days of receiving the access request.
• 7c). The number of requests for more information made within 111 days of receiving the access request.
• 7d). The number of requests for more information made 112 days or more after receiving the access request.
6. The number of access eligibility decisions made by the NDIA after requesting more information, where the applicant was found to be eligible.
Thank you,
Stuart
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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
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7. mailto:[NDIA request email]
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11. mailto:[NDIA request email]
Dear Stuart
Freedom of Information Request: Acknowledgement
Thank you for your request of 9 September 2024, made under the Freedom of
Information Act 1982 (FOI Act), for information that may be held by the
National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA).
Scope of your Request
You have requested access to:
“ Please provide the following figures per month, for the periods:
• March to June 2023 (inclusive)
• March to June 2024 (inclusive)
1. The number of access requests received by the NDIA.
2. The number of access eligibility decisions made by the NDIA, where the
applicant was found to be eligible. And of those;
• 2a). The number of those decisions made within 21 days of receiving the
access request.
• 2b). The number of those decisions made within 60 days of receiving the
access request.
• 2c). The number of those decisions made within 111 days of receiving
the access request.
• 2d). The number of those decisions made 112 or more days after
receiving the access request.
3. The average number of days between receiving an access request and
making an access “eligible” decision.
4. The number of access decisions made by the NDIA, where the applicant
was found -not- to be eligible. And of those;
• 4a). The number of those decisions made within 21 days of receiving the
access request.
• 4b). The number of those decisions made within 60 days of receiving the
access request.
• 4c). The number of those decisions made within 111 days of receiving
the access request.
• 4d). The number of those decisions made 112 or more days after
receiving the access request.
5. The average number of days between receiving an access request and
making an access “not eligible” decision.
6. The number of s100 internal reviews requested for access decisions
7. The number of requests for more information made by the NDIA, under
section 26 of the NDIS Act. And;
• 7a). The number of requests for more information made within 21 days of
receiving the access request.
• 7b). The number of requests for more information made within 60 days of
receiving the access request.
• 7c). The number of requests for more information made within 111 days
of receiving the access request.
• 7d). The number of requests for more information made 112 days or more
after receiving the access request.
6. The number of access eligibility decisions made by the NDIA after
requesting more information, where the applicant was found to be
eligible.”
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 10 September 2024. This
30-day period expires on 9 October 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 8
November 2024.
If you do not agree and we are unable to process your request within the
30-day period expiring on 9 October 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 7 October 2024.
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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
Mykal
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 foi,
The surnames and contact details of NDIA staff members are not relevant to my request and can be removed. I agree to the extension of 30 days.
Thank you,
Stuart
Dear Stuart
Thank you for your request for information.
Please find attached correspondence in relation to your request. If you
require this 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
Kate
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
Dear Kate,
Thank you for your request for clarification. I acknowledge that some of these figures are already available in the quarterly reports, but please provide them again in the final decision document for clarity and context.
I have reviewed the data provided in the Agency's quarterly reports and I propose adjusting my request to be this –
Please provide the following figures for these quarters:
• 2022-23 Q3 (1 January 2023 to 31 March 2023)
• 2022-23 Q4 (1 April 2023 – 30 June 2023)
• 2023-24 Q3 (1 January 2024 – 31 March 2024)
• 2023-24 Q4 (1 April 2024 – 30 June 2024)
1. The total number of access requests carried over (outstanding) from the previous quarter.
2. The total number of access requests received during the quarter.
3. The total number of access decisions or requests for more information made during the quarter, and;
a). The number of those decisions/requests made within 21 days of receiving the access request.
b). The number of those decisions/requests made within 60 days of receiving the access request.
c). The number of those decisions/requests made within 111 days of receiving the access request.
d). The number of those decisions/requests made 112 or more days after receiving the access request.
4. The total number of access decisions or requests for more information made during the quarter, after more information had been provided, and;
a). The number of those decisions/requests made within 14 days of receiving the additional information.
b). The number of those decisions/requests made within 40 days of receiving the additional information.
c). The number of those decisions/requests made within 104 days of receiving the additional information.
d). The number of those decisions/requests made 105 or more days after receiving the additional information.
5. The total number of access requests still awaiting an eligibility decision (outstanding) at the end of the quarter.
Additionally, it is unclear to me why the Agency would be unable to provide the number of eligible vs not-eligible access decisions made per quarter for this request.
In the ‘Report to disability ministers Q4 2023-24 Supplement.pdf’ (https://dataresearch.ndis.gov.au/media/4...), Table E.3 and E.4 contain an “Assessment of access” by age/gender/disability, including “Total - Number of access met” and “Total - Percentage of access decisions eligible”.
For example, in Table E.4:
"Primary disability group: Acquired brain injury
Total - Number of access met: 22,287
Total - Percentage of access decisions eligible: 92%”
Does this mean 92% of access requests made where the person’s primary disability was listed as an ABI, it was decided that the applicant was eligible?
If that’s the correct interpretation, in opposition to what you have stated, it would suggest that the Agency does in fact collect data on the number of eligible vs non eligible access decisions made (and with quite a lot of detail). Does the issue actually lie with providing the breakdown of how many days it took to make eligible vs not-eligible decisions, rather than with providing just the plain eligible vs not-eligible totals for the quarter?
If timeframes aren’t currently possible when including the outcome as a variable, I would at least like to include the following in my request:
6. The total number of access decisions made during the quarter where the applicant was found to be eligible.
7. The total number of access decisions made during the quarter where the applicant was found to be not-eligible.
Please let me know if the refined questions 1-7 are achievable or if further adjustments need to be made.
Many thanks,
Stuart
Dear Stuart,
Thank you for your email where you have proposed a revision to the scope
of your request.
I will need to consult with the relevant business area to determine if
what has been proposed removes the basis for a practical refusal in
accordance with s24AA.
I will endevour to confirm this with you by the end of this week.
Please contact us at [1][NDIA request email] if you have any questions or
require help.
Kind regards
Kate
Freedom of Information Officer
Complaints Management and 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 Stuart
Following receipt of your proposed rescope of your request, and
consultation with the relevant business area who hold the information, I
can confirm that we can proceed with the revised scope to be for the
following documents:
Please provide the following figures for these quarters:
• 2022-23 Q3 (1 January 2023 to 31 March 2023)
• 2022-23 Q4 (1 April 2023 – 30 June 2023)
• 2023-24 Q3 (1 January 2024 – 31 March 2024)
• 2023-24 Q4 (1 April 2024 – 30 June 2024)
1. The total number of access requests carried over (outstanding) from the
previous quarter.
2. The total number of access requests received during the quarter.
3. The total number of access decisions or requests for more information
made during the quarter, and;
a). The number of those decisions/requests made within 21 days of
receiving the access request.
b). The number of those decisions/requests made within 60 days of
receiving the access request.
c). The number of those decisions/requests made within 111 days of
receiving the access request.
d). The number of those decisions/requests made 112 or more days after
receiving the access request.
4. The total number of access decisions or requests for more information
made during the quarter, after more information had been provided, and;
a). The number of those decisions/requests made within 14 days of
receiving the additional information.
b). The number of those decisions/requests made within 40 days of
receiving the additional information.
c). The number of those decisions/requests made within 104 days of
receiving the additional information.
d). The number of those decisions/requests made 105 or more days after
receiving the additional information.
5. The total number of access requests still awaiting an eligibility
decision (outstanding) at the end of the quarter.
6. The total number of access decisions made during the quarter where the
applicant was found to be eligible.
7. The total number of access decisions made during the quarter where the
applicant was found to be not-eligible.
I apolgise for the delay in being able to confirm that we can proceed.
Timeframe – Review Rights
The new due date for your request is 8 November 2024, as we have not
provided you with a decision by the due date this matter is considered a
deemed refusal, internal review of this decision is not an option. You do
however retain the right to apply to the Office of the Australian
Information Commissioner (OAIC) to seek a review of the decision once
made.
I apologise that it is taking us longer than we expected to process your
request, we will endeavour to have this request finalised as soon as
practically possible.
Please contact us at [1][NDIA request email] if you have any questions or
require help.
Kind regards
Kate
Senior Freedom of Information Officer
Governance, Risk & Legal - Complaints Management and FOI
General Counsel Division
National Disability Insurance Agency
E [2][email address]
[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
From: foi <[NDIA request email]>
Sent: Tuesday, 29 October 2024 3:59 PM
To: 'Stuart' <[FOI #12040 email]>
Subject: RE: FOI 24/25-0322 - Request consultation - Freedom of
Information request - NDIS Access Statistics (March to June, 2023 and
2024) [SEC=OFFICIAL]
Dear Stuart,
Thank you for your email where you have proposed a revision to the scope
of your request.
I will need to consult with the relevant business area to determine if
what has been proposed removes the basis for a practical refusal in
accordance with s24AA.
I will endevour to confirm this with you by the end of this week.
Please contact us at [6][NDIA request email] if you have any questions or
require help.
Kind regards
Kate
Freedom of Information Officer
Complaints Management and FOI Branch
General Counsel Division
National Disability Insurance Agency
E: [7][NDIA request email]
[8]NDIA logo
[9]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.
[10]Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags graphic
Dear Kate,
I'm pleased to hear the revisions have been accepted but it appears you've jumped the gun in notifying me that the agency has allowed this request to become overdue.
Setting aside the fact that you sent this email on the 7th, rather than on or after the 8th, wouldn't the decision period have been paused for consultation as outlined in SECT 42AB (8), making the last day Sunday, November 10th? The FOI guidelines specify that the due date would then move to the next weekday, Monday, November 11th.
I gather that you won’t be meeting this deadline either but I wanted to clarify these dates to keep us on the same page.
Yours sincerely,
Stuart
Good Morning Stuart,
My apologies for the error in due date noted below. I can confirm that the
due date for your revised request is 11 November.
+------------------------------------------------------------------------+
|Date of receipt |9 September |
|--------------------------------------------+---------------------------|
|Original due date |9 October |
|--------------------------------------------+---------------------------|
|Revised date* |8 November |
|--------------------------------------------+---------------------------|
|24AB Consultation – Notification to rescope |25 Sept (clock stops) |
|--------------------------------------------+---------------------------|
|24AB Consult response received |26 Oct (clock starts) |
|--------------------------------------------+---------------------------|
|Revised due date |9 November (Saturday) |
|--------------------------------------------+---------------------------|
|S 36(2)(b)** |11 November (Monday) |
+------------------------------------------------------------------------+
*30 Day extension requested and granted
**In accordance with section 36(2)(b) of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901,
if the last day to make a decision is a Saturday, a Sunday or a holiday;
then the decision may be done on the next day that is not a Saturday, a
Sunday or a holiday.
Regards,
Kate (KIM627)
Non Personals Team
Complaints Management and FOI Branch
General Counsel Division
National Disability Insurance Agency
E [1][NDIA request email]
[2][IMG]
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.
Dear Kate,
With this being due last Monday, do you have a time estimate for it's completion at this point?
Yours sincerely,
Stuart