NDIA assessor guidance
Dear National Disability Insurance Agency,
I would like a copy of all guidance and/or reference documents that would be available to me if I were an NDIA employee assessing an application to become an NDIS participant, excluding publicly available documents.
I agree to the exclusion of non-SES contact details and applicant/participant personal information
Yours faithfully,
Me
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.
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Dear Me
Freedom of Information Request: Acknowledgement
Thank you for your request of 7 March 2025, 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 would like a copy of all guidance and/or reference documents that
would be available to me if I were an NDIA employee assessing an
application to become an NDIS participant, excluding publicly available
documents.
I agree to the exclusion of non-SES contact details and
applicant/participant personal information.”
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.
I note that you have agreed to the exclusion of non-SES contact details,
consequently, NDIA staff members’ middle names, surnames and contact
details will be regarded as irrelevant under section 22 of the FOI Act.
Processing Timeframes
In accordance with section 15(5)(b) of the FOI Act, a 30-day statutory
period for processing your request commenced from 8 March 2025. This
30-day period expires on 6 April 2025.
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 6 May
2025.
If you do not agree and we are unable to process your request within the
30-day period expiring on 6 April 2025, 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 18 March 2025.
Disclosure Log
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
-----Original Message-----
From: Me <[FOI #12892 email]>
Sent: Thursday, 6 March 2025 11:33 PM
To: foi <[NDIA request email]>
Subject: Freedom of Information request - NDIA assessor guidance
[You don't often get email from
[6][FOI #12892 email]. Learn why this is
important at [7]https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentific... ]
Dear National Disability Insurance Agency,
I would like a copy of all guidance and/or reference documents that would
be available to me if I were an NDIA employee assessing an application to
become an NDIS participant, excluding publicly available documents.
I agree to the exclusion of non-SES contact details and
applicant/participant personal information
Yours faithfully,
Me
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
[8][FOI #12892 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
Visible links
1. mailto:[NDIA request email]
2. mailto:[NDIA request email]
6. mailto:[FOI #12892 email]
7. https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentific...
8. mailto:[FOI #12892 email]
9. mailto:[NDIA request email]
10. https://www.righttoknow.org.au/change_re...
11. https://www.righttoknow.org.au/help/offi...
Dear foi,
Ordinarily I would agree to the extension but I would like the documents in the timeframe. I’d prefer OAIC review of deemed refusal to be available in 30 days not 60.
You’re welcome to apply to OAIC for extension but I understand understaffing is not an accepted reason
May I suggest NDIA does not seek an extension, plugs away at it, and hopefully the NDIA decision, albeit out of time, is before the OAIC gets to it
Yours sincerely,
Me
Dear foi,
I have sought OAIC review of the deemed refusal MR25/00666
Yours sincerely,
Perfectly Normal Applicant
Dear Me
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.
Kind regards
Patrick
Senior FOI Officer
Information Release, Privacy and Legal Operations Branch
Reviews and Information Release 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
-----Original Message-----
From: Me <[6][FOI #12892 email]>
Sent: Thursday, 13 March 2025 2:05 PM
To: foi <[7][NDIA request email]>
Subject: Re: FOI 24/25-1473 – Your request for information –
Acknowledgement & Extension of Time [SEC=OFFICIAL]
[You don't often get email from
[8][FOI #12892 email]. Learn why this is
important at [9]https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentific... ]
Dear foi,
Ordinarily I would agree to the extension but I would like the documents
in the timeframe. I’d prefer OAIC review of deemed refusal to be available
in 30 days not 60.
You’re welcome to apply to OAIC for extension but I understand
understaffing is not an accepted reason
May I suggest NDIA does not seek an extension, plugs away at it, and
hopefully the NDIA decision, albeit out of time, is before the OAIC gets
to it
Yours sincerely,
Me
-----Original Message-----
Dear Me
Freedom of Information Request: Acknowledgement
Thank you for your request of 7 March 2025, 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 would like a copy of all guidance and/or reference documents that
would be available to me if I were an NDIA employee assessing an
application to become an NDIS participant, excluding publicly available
documents.
I agree to the exclusion of non-SES contact details and
applicant/participant personal information.”
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.
I note that you have agreed to the exclusion of non-SES contact details,
consequently, NDIA staff members’ middle names, surnames and contact
details will be regarded as irrelevant under section 22 of the FOI Act.
Processing Timeframes
In accordance with section 15(5)(b) of the FOI Act, a 30-day statutory
period for processing your request commenced from 8 March 2025. This
30-day period expires on 6 April 2025.
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 6 May
2025.
If you do not agree and we are unable to process your request within the
30-day period expiring on 6 April 2025, 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 18 March 2025.
Disclosure Log
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
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
[10][FOI #12892 email]
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:
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.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
**********************************************************************
IMPORTANT: This e-mail is for the use of the intended recipient only and
may contain information that is confidential, commercially valuable and/or
subject to legal or parliamentary privilege. If you are not the intended
recipient you are notified that any review, re-transmission, disclosure,
dissemination or other use of, or taking of any action in reliance upon,
this information is prohibited and may result in severe penalties. If you
have received this e-mail in error please notify the sender immediately
and delete all electronic and hard copies of this transmission together
with any attachments. Please consider the environment before printing this
e-mail
**********************************************************************
References
Visible links
1. mailto:[NDIA request email]
2. mailto:[NDIA request email]
6. mailto:[FOI #12892 email]
7. mailto:[NDIA request email]
8. mailto:[FOI #12892 email]
9. https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentific...
10. mailto:[FOI #12892 email]
Dear Patrick
Thanks for your email
NDIA has a bad habit of using words contrary to their ordinary meaning. For example, ‘early intervention’ is neither early nor an intervention. My email was not a ‘request for information’ and calling it such is unhelpful.
The letter however is helpful. I agree to revise the scope to add:
“and,
4. The document is a work instruction, or
5. The document is a SOP, or
6. The document instructs staff how to use or apply the word ‘permanent’ from the Act.”
The Rules are relatively clear. The problem is NDIA do not do what the Rules say. Hence a request for unpublished internal documents - a search party for where NDIA is adding non-existent requirements to the Rules to prevent people becoming participants.
Yours sincerely,
Perfectly Normal Applicant
Dear Patrick
Please disregard my prior reply about this request - it belongs to 1472.
In reply to this request (1473):
Same point about RFI.
I agree to amend the scope to be ‘… all current guidance…’
I agree to limit the scope to documents available to access assessors (cf access officers or TAB etc.)
Regards
Yours sincerely,
Perfectly Normal Applicant
Dear Perfectly Normal Applicant
Thank you for your email.
I have now interpreted the scope of your request as:
I would like a copy of all current guidance that would be available to me
if I were an access assessor (cf access officers or TAB etc.) assessing an
application to become an NDIS participant, excluding publicly available
documents.
I have consulted with the Scheme Eligibility Branch, who have advised me
that the current scope is still too broad to process, given the term
‘guidance’ would capture a wide variety of documents. I also note that
there would be other areas within the agency that would reasonably hold
documents relevant to the scope of your request given its broad
interpretation, such as training material, TAPIB advice, policies, SOPs
etc.
As such, I am again requesting that you again narrow the scope of the
request. I note, you only considered one point of my advice to limit the
scope, that being to apply a timeframe, to all current documents,
therefore, to help narrow the scope of your request you may wish to
consider the following:
o Limit the request to only a specific area within the agency, for
example Scheme Eligibility
o Provide more specifics on the types of documents you are requesting,
guidance and reference documents are broad terms
o Provide details on what phase of the eligibility process you are
seeking documents for
Please feel free to reach out to [1][NDIA request email] for help in narrowing
the scope of the request.
Should I not receive a response by 5pm Thursday 1 April 2025, I will take
it to mean you do not wish to narrow the scope of your request further.
Kind regards
Patrick (PHO293)
Senior Freedom of Information Officer
Information Release, Privacy and Legal Operations Branch
Reviews and Information Release 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
-----Original Message-----
From: Perfectly Normal Applicant
<[6][FOI #12892 email]>
Sent: Wednesday, 16 April 2025 10:30 PM
To: foi <[7][NDIA request email]>
Subject: Re: FOI 24/25-1473 – Your request for information –
Communication [SEC=OFFICIAL]
Dear Patrick
Please disregard my prior reply about this request - it belongs to 1472.
In reply to this request (1473):
Same point about RFI.
I agree to amend the scope to be ‘… all current guidance…’
I agree to limit the scope to documents available to access assessors (cf
access officers or TAB etc.)
Regards
Yours sincerely,
Perfectly Normal Applicant
-----Original Message-----
Dear Me
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.
Kind regards
Patrick
Senior FOI Officer
Information Release, Privacy and Legal Operations Branch
Reviews and Information Release 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
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
[8][FOI #12892 email]
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:
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.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
**********************************************************************
IMPORTANT: This e-mail is for the use of the intended recipient only and
may contain information that is confidential, commercially valuable and/or
subject to legal or parliamentary privilege. If you are not the intended
recipient you are notified that any review, re-transmission, disclosure,
dissemination or other use of, or taking of any action in reliance upon,
this information is prohibited and may result in severe penalties. If you
have received this e-mail in error please notify the sender immediately
and delete all electronic and hard copies of this transmission together
with any attachments. Please consider the environment before printing this
e-mail
**********************************************************************
References
Visible links
1. mailto:[NDIA request email]
2. mailto:[NDIA request email]
6. mailto:[FOI #12892 email]
7. mailto:[NDIA request email]
8. mailto:[FOI #12892 email]
Dear Patrick
Fair enough. I appreciate the genuine attempts to narrow scope. Most agencies half-arse it
I’m not sure what wording is best, but something to the effect of enterprise wide guidance or centrally approved guidance only? Or guidance that’s on the governance instrument framework? That is, centrally approved NDIA guidance, not quasi-official guidance a team made themselves
Also willing to narrow to guidance related to or stemming from ss 24 and 25 of the Act. That is, excluding age and residency etc., but including guidance about the relevant Rules and anything else access assessors consider when making ss 24 and 25 decisions
As an aside, it may be that a proper scope still captures many documents. I suggest it’s more efficient to process one slightly large request than multiple smaller ones. And then other applicants can be pointed to this disclosure with most or all of their request satisfied without much processing needed
Yours sincerely,
Perfectly Normal Applicant
Dear Perfectly Normal Applicant
I have again discussed the matter with the Scheme Eligibility Branch
regarding this request who have again informed me that the scope of the
request is too broad when using the term guidance.
We discussed alternative scopes that may help you locate the information
you are seeking and believe this scope would be manageable:
A copy of all current instructions used by an access assessor in the
Scheme Eligibility Branch that they would use in assessing an application
to become an NDIS participant. Excluding publicly available documents.
Are you agreeable to narrowing your scope to this to allow us to process
your request without there being a practical refusal reason?
Kind regards
Patrick (PHO293)
Senior Freedom of Information Officer
Information Release, Privacy and Legal Operations Branch
Reviews and Information Release Division
National Disability Insurance Agency
E [1][NDIA request email]
[2]NDIA logo
[3]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.
[4]Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags graphic
-----Original Message-----
From: Perfectly Normal Applicant
<[5][FOI #12892 email]>
Sent: Friday, 25 April 2025 8:10 AM
To: foi <[6][NDIA request email]>
Subject: Re: FOI 24/25-1473 - Request to Narrow Scope of FOI Request
[SEC=OFFICIAL]
Dear Patrick
Fair enough. I appreciate the genuine attempts to narrow scope. Most
agencies half-arse it
I’m not sure what wording is best, but something to the effect of
enterprise wide guidance or centrally approved guidance only? Or guidance
that’s on the governance instrument framework? That is, centrally approved
NDIA guidance, not quasi-official guidance a team made themselves
Also willing to narrow to guidance related to or stemming from ss 24 and
25 of the Act. That is, excluding age and residency etc., but including
guidance about the relevant Rules and anything else access assessors
consider when making ss 24 and 25 decisions
As an aside, it may be that a proper scope still captures many documents.
I suggest it’s more efficient to process one slightly large request than
multiple smaller ones. And then other applicants can be pointed to this
disclosure with most or all of their request satisfied without much
processing needed
Yours sincerely,
Perfectly Normal Applicant
-----Original Message-----
Dear Perfectly Normal Applicant
Thank you for your email.
I have now interpreted the scope of your request as:
I would like a copy of all current guidance that would be available to me
if I were an access assessor (cf access officers or TAB etc.) assessing an
application to become an NDIS participant, excluding publicly available
documents.
I have consulted with the Scheme Eligibility Branch, who have advised me
that the current scope is still too broad to process, given the term
‘guidance’ would capture a wide variety of documents. I also note that
there would be other areas within the agency that would reasonably hold
documents relevant to the scope of your request given its broad
interpretation, such as training material, TAPIB advice, policies, SOPs
etc.
As such, I am again requesting that you again narrow the scope of the
request. I note, you only considered one point of my advice to limit the
scope, that being to apply a timeframe, to all current documents,
therefore, to help narrow the scope of your request you may wish to
consider the following:
o Limit the request to only a specific area within the agency, for
example Scheme Eligibility
o Provide more specifics on the types of documents you are requesting,
guidance and reference documents are broad terms
o Provide details on what phase of the eligibility process you are
seeking documents for
Please feel free to reach out to [1][NDIA request email] for help in
narrowing
the scope of the request.
Should I not receive a response by 5pm Thursday 1 April 2025, I will take
it to mean you do not wish to narrow the scope of your request further.
Kind regards
Patrick (PHO293)
Senior Freedom of Information Officer
Information Release, Privacy and Legal Operations Branch
Reviews and Information Release 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
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
[7][FOI #12892 email]
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:
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.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
**********************************************************************
IMPORTANT: This e-mail is for the use of the intended recipient only and
may contain information that is confidential, commercially valuable and/or
subject to legal or parliamentary privilege. If you are not the intended
recipient you are notified that any review, re-transmission, disclosure,
dissemination or other use of, or taking of any action in reliance upon,
this information is prohibited and may result in severe penalties. If you
have received this e-mail in error please notify the sender immediately
and delete all electronic and hard copies of this transmission together
with any attachments. Please consider the environment before printing this
e-mail
**********************************************************************
References
Visible links
1. mailto:[NDIA request email]
5. mailto:[FOI #12892 email]
6. mailto:[NDIA request email]
7. mailto:[FOI #12892 email]