Dear David,

 

Freedom of Information Request: Acknowledgement & Extension of Time
Request

 

Thank you for your request on 29 January 2026, 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:

 

"...I request a copy of the current internal manuals, guidelines, or
instructional documents used by NDIA staff and contractors to define and
categorise participants into the 15 levels of function (often grouped into
three bands: Levels 15, 610, and 1115).

 

Specifically, I seek documents that outline:

 

1. The clinical or functional criteria used to assign a participant to
each of the 15 specific levels.

 

2. Any Standard Operating Procedures or staff training materials that
explain how assessment data (such as WHODAS or PEDI-CAT scores) is
converted into these 15 numerical levels.

 

3. Explanations of each level of function, e.g. what participants at each
level generally can/cannot do...."

  

Processing Timeframes

 

In accordance with section 15(5)(b) of the FOI Act, a 30-day statutory
period for processing your request commenced from 30 January 2026. This
30-day period expires on 28 February 2026.

 

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 30 March 2026.

 

Please let us know if you agree by 6 February 2026.

 

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).

 

Action Required

 

Can I please request a response regarding our request for a 30-day
extension of time, by 6 February 2026.

 

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].

 

Kind regards,

 

Adam

Freedom of Information Officer – Triage and Early Resolution

Information Access and Privacy

Reviews and Information Release 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 and
present.

 [5]Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags graphic

 

 

 

-----Original Message-----
From: David Wright <[FOI #14233 email]>
Sent: Thursday, 29 January 2026 6:39 PM
To: foi <[NDIA request email]>
Subject: Freedom of Information request - Internal definitions for the 15
levels of functioning

 

[You don't often get email from
[6][FOI #14233 email]. Learn why this is
important at [7]https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentific... ]

 

Dear National Disability Insurance Agency,

 

 

 

I am writing to request access to documents under the Freedom of
Information Act 1982.

 

 

 

I request a copy of the current internal manuals, guidelines, or
instructional documents used by NDIA staff and contractors to define and
categorise participants into the 15 levels of function (often grouped into
three bands: Levels 1–5, 6–10, and 11–15).

 

 

 

Specifically, I seek documents that outline:

 

 

 

1. The clinical or functional criteria used to assign a participant to
each of the 15 specific levels.

 

2. Any Standard Operating Procedures or staff training materials that
explain how assessment data (such as WHODAS or PEDI-CAT scores) is
converted into these 15 numerical levels.

 

3. Explanations of each level of function, e.g. what participants at each
level generally can/cannot do.

 

 

 

I do not require draft versions or the personal details of any NDIA staff
members.

 

 

 

Yours faithfully,

 

David Wright

 

 

 

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Please use this email address for all replies to this request:

 

[8][FOI #14233 email]

 

 

 

Is [9][NDIA request email] the wrong address for Freedom of Information
requests to National Disability Insurance Agency? If so, please contact us
using this form:

 

[10]https://aus01.safelinks.protection.outlo...

 

 

 

This request has been made by an individual using Right to Know. This
message and any reply that you make will be published on the internet.
More information on how Right to Know works can be found at:

 

[11]https://aus01.safelinks.protection.outlo...

 

 

 

Please note that in some cases publication of requests and responses will
be delayed.

 

 

 

If you find this service useful as an FOI officer, please ask your web
manager to link to us from your organisation's FOI page.

 

 

 

 

 

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References

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