
Document 1
OFFICIAL: Sensitive
MINUTE
Ref: EC20-000886
SECRETARY
Through:
Catherine Rule
Deputy Secretary
Disability and Carers Stream
Cc:
Peter Broadhead, Group Manager, Participants and Performance
SUBJECT: Transitioning administration of the Information, Linkages and Capacity
Building Program (ILC) from the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) to
Department of Social Services (the department)
Recommendations:
1.
That you
note considerations for transition of the ILC from NDIA to the department.
NOTED / PLEASE DISCUSS
Secretary:………………………………..
/
/2020
Issues:
1.
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The intention of ILC is to support all people with disability, not just those
with individualised plans through services such as information provision, referral,
community capacity building and web support. The ILC has two components:
Local Area Coordination (LAC) and grant funding. Further background is at
Additional
Information.
2.
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3.
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. The move could highlight the benefits of better connecting ILC to other
related grant activities in the department, and ensuring a closer connection between the
ILC and the National Disability Strategy.
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Additional Information
1.
ILC was outlined conceptually in the 2011 Productivity Commission Inquiry on
Disability Care and Support, originally described as Tier 2 support. The intention of ILC
was to reduce or defer the entry of some people with disability into the NDIS by
supporting all people with disability, not just those with individualised plans, through
services such as information provision, referral, community capacity building and web
support.
2.
ILC has two components:
a.
Local Area Coordination funded approximately $450 million per annum. This is
appropriated directly to the NDIA through Program 1.2 – Community Inclusion
and Capacity Development Grants and is delivered through the NDIA’s partners
in the community.
b.
Grants to assist people with disability funded $132 million per annum. Since 2017
this is appropriated to DSS through Program 3.2 and NDIA undertake
administration of the grants. DSS reimburses NDIA for grant payments made to
service providers.
3.
The Disability and Carers Stream considers there are significant benefits in transitioning
ILC grants to the department. These include:
a.
better alignment with the broader disability system and services which are the
primary responsibility of the department and not the NDIA, such as Disability
Employment services; disability carer reform.
b.
the department has significantly more experience in administering grants than the
NDIA. The Community Grants Hub already run ILC assessment processes and
details of ILC grants are already in FOFMS.
c.
the ability to increase the decision making role of Ministers in ILC selection
process, including the design of programs (which is currently determined by the
NDIA Board).
d.
and, the capability to respond more quickly, flexibly and effectively to program
design concerns s47C
. This
includes adjusting funding models to reflect differences in maturity of local ILC
markets, rather than adopt a one size fits all approach.
OFFICIAL: Sensitive

Document 2
OFFICIAL: Sensitive
General Brief
AustraJian Government
t>' DepartmentofSocial Services
MS20-000498
To:
Minister for Families and Social Services (for decision)
To:
Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (for decision)
Subject: Transfer of the Information, Linkages and Capacity Building (ILC) grant program
Recommendations for Minister Ruston: That ou
I
1. Agree with Minister Robert to transfer policy and administrative
responsibility for the lLC grant program from the National
--....:::::-----
Disability Insurance Agency (NDJA) to the Department of Social
Services (the department).
2. Agree the transfer occur as follows:
a. The immediate transfer of policy responsibility for the
future of the ILC grant program, including the lead on the
evaluation of ILC grant program and development of a new
Investment Strategy.
b. Transitioning approximately 300 existing ILC grants as soo , Agreed I.
Npt Agreed
as practicable, with further advice on precise arrangements
____.-/
and timing to be provided.
c. The department and the NI?IA working closely to finalise
Agreed Not Agreed
the Individual Capacity Building grant round that closed on
f',ie_� 4==,
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6 May 2020, with further advice to be provided on how
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these grants will be transitioned to the department.
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d. The NOJA's two planned Economic and Community
�otAgreed
Participation grant rounds not proceed until the department
provides you with further advice on options for the
remaining uncommitted I LC grant funding.
3. Agree the NOIA retain the Local Area Coordination function.
A reed Not Agreed
4. If you agree recommendations l to 3, agree the Secretary of the
Agreed, Not Agreed
department write to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the NOI A
to advise of your decision and the implications for the NOIA' s
planned forthcoming grant rounds.
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Minister Ruston's si nature
�n.s
Date: ... .1 ... .12020
MS20-000498
OFFICIAL: Sensitive

Document 3

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Document 6
PRIME MINISTER
Reference: MC20-145896
3 0 SEP 2020
Senator the Hon Anne Ruston
Minister for Families and Social Services
Parliament House
CANBERRA ACT 2600
The Hon Stuart Robert MP
Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme
Minister for Government Services
Parliament House
CANBERRA ACT 2600
Dear Ministers
Thank you for your joint letter dated 11 September 2020 regarding the transfer of
administrative responsibility for the Information, Linkages and Capacity Building (ILC)
grants program from the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) to the Department of
Social Services (the Department).
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I have reviewed your advice and agree with the proposal as outlined in your letter, on the
understanding that the NDIA Board has considered and agreed with the proposal, and that
consultation with government and sector stakeholders, including State and Territory disability
ministers, has also occurred. I understand this transfer will be budget neutral as it does not
involve any change to overall Commonwealth expenditure.
Parliament House CANBERRA ACT 2600
Telephone (02) 6277 7700
www.pm.gov.au
Document Outline