Media Statement: Allied Health Professions Australia welcomes opportunity for collaborative roundtable with Minister for NDIS

Allied Health Professions Australia (AHPA) has welcomed the opportunity for allied health leaders to meet today with the Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme, Senator the Hon Jenny McAllister, as part of a roundtable focused on ensuring the future of allied health disability supports in Australia. 

The meeting follows a roundtable held last week with several AHPA member organisation leaders, the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) Chief Executive Officer Graeme Head AO and Deputy CEO Penelope McKay. 

Today’s roundtable provided a chance for leaders from the sector to discuss issues relating to the passing of the recent NDIS Bill, including continuity of access to allied health supports, ensuring allied health involvement in functional capacity assessments, therapy support determinations, pricing and workforce sustainability. 

AHPA Chief Executive Officer Bronwyn Morris-Donovan said the ongoing engagement between the allied health sector, the Government, the Agency, and people with disability is vital as the disability sector navigates this challenging period of reform. 

“AHPA and our allied health leaders want to be constructive partners to support best possible outcomes through the reform process, ensuring ultimately we can enable people with disability to receive the allied health support they need, when they need it,” Ms Morris-Donovan said. 

“With the passing of the NDIS Bill, as a sector we are deeply focused on continued engagement with Government and the Agency, as we progress to the next phase of reform that will ultimately shape people’s experience of the disability system. 

“This is an incredibly complex and challenging period for people with disability, their families, and providers with significant change ahead. 

“We appreciate Minister McAllister taking the time to meet with the allied health sector and listen closely to our concerns, our solutions and our advice. We welcome the opportunity for continued, meaningful engagement on all the issues raised today.