Clarification on Exclusion of Social Workers from NDIA Therapy Supports Practice Guide
Dear National Disability Insurance Agency,
I am writing to request access under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (Cth) to documents held by the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) relating to the exclusion of social workers from the list of recognised therapy supports in the NDIA internal document titled “NDIS Practice Guide – Understanding Therapy Supports”.
Specifically, I am seeking:
1. Any internal communications, meeting minutes, policy memos, or emails discussing the rationale for excluding AASW-accredited social workers from the list of therapy support providers in this guide;
2. Any drafts or working versions of the guide where social workers were considered for inclusion;
3. Any correspondence or consultation records with external bodies (e.g., the AASW, allied health reference groups) regarding the classification of social workers under therapy supports;
4. Any documents that explain how the definitions in the guide align (or do not align) with the NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits 2024–25, which includes social workers under line item 15_621_0128_1_3 – Assessment, Recommendation, Therapy or Training – Social Worker.
This request seeks to clarify any inconsistencies between internal NDIA practice materials and published pricing guidance, which directly impacts recognition and access to funded social work supports under the NDIS.
If any part of the material is exempt, I request partial access to documents with exempt material redacted where possible.
Yours faithfully,
Hannah Galea
P: 0407 195 993
E: [email address]
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 Hannah,
Freedom of Information Request: Acknowledgement
Thank you for your request of 14 June 2025, made under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act), for copies of documents/information held by the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA).
Scope of your Request
You have requested access to:
“ … I am writing to request access under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (Cth) to documents held by the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) relating to the exclusion of social workers from the list of recognised therapy supports in the NDIA internal document titled “NDIS Practice Guide – Understanding Therapy Supports”.
Specifically, I am seeking:
1. Any internal communications, meeting minutes, policy memos, or emails discussing the rationale for excluding AASW-accredited social workers from the list of therapy support providers in this guide;
2. Any drafts or working versions of the guide where social workers were considered for inclusion;
3. Any correspondence or consultation records with external bodies (e.g., the AASW, allied health reference groups) regarding the classification of social workers under therapy supports;
4. Any documents that explain how the definitions in the guide align (or do not align) with the NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits 2024–25, which includes social workers under line item 15_621_0128_1_3 – Assessment, Recommendation, Therapy or Training – Social Worker.
This request seeks to clarify any inconsistencies between internal NDIA practice materials and published pricing guidance, which directly impacts recognition and access to funded social work supports under the NDIS....”
Processing Timeframes
In accordance with section 15(5)(b) of the FOI Act, a 30-day statutory period for processing your request commenced from 15 June 2025. This 30-day period expires on 14 July 2025.
The 30-day period can be extended in a number of ways, including with your agreement.
Extension of Time Request:
Unfortunately, it is currently taking us a little longer than 30 days to process FOI requests due to a very high volume of incoming matters. 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 13 August 2025.
Please let us know if you agree by COB Monday 23 June 2025.
Explanation of Extension of Time Request:
The reason I am seeking an extension of time is to ensure I preserve your review rights under the FOI Act.
FOI applicants are normally entitled to exercise a right of internal review if they are unsatisfied with the outcome of an FOI decision. However, this right of review lapses if a FOI decision is not made within the statutory timeframe. This is because if an agency doesn’t issue their decision within the statutory timeframe, they are deemed to have refused the request for documents. If this situation happens, it will limit your options for formal review to only contacting the OAIC.
You are not obligated to agree to this request, you would still retain your review rights with our regulatory body OAIC (Office of the Australian Information Commission).
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?
Action Required
1. Can I please request a response regarding our request for a 30 day extension of time, by COB Monday 23 June 2025.
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 [NDIA request email].
Regards,
Dear FOI Team,
Thank you for your update.
I agree to the 30-day extension under section 15AA of the Freedom of Information Act 1982, noting the revised due date of 13 August 2025.
I also confirm that NDIA staff surnames and contact details are not relevant to this request and may be redacted in accordance with section 22 of the Act.
This request speaks to an important area of policy transparency and professional equity. I appreciate your attention to the matter and look forward to receiving the relevant documents.
Kind regards,
Hannah
Dear Hannah
Thank you for your request for information.
Please find attached correspondence 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
Heather (UFG97)
Information Release, Privacy and Legal Operations Branch
Reviews and Information Release 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