NDSS supply quantity limits and rationale
Dear Department of Health, Disability and Ageing,
Under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (Cth), I request access to the current documented rules and rationale governing limits on the quantity of National Diabetes Services Scheme (NDSS) products that may be supplied or dispensed to an individual.
I am specifically seeking the core policy documents that set out:
The applicable limits (e.g. maximum supply period, quantity caps, dispensing frequency, per-order restrictions) for NDSS products, including any changes introduced from 1 January 2019 to the present.
The official rationale and justification for these limits (for example supply management, cost controls, safety, or other policy reasons), as recorded in the primary policy or guidance materials.
This request is intended to capture the authoritative “rules and reasons” documents only (such as policy statements, operational guidelines, manuals, or internal guidance PDFs), rather than general correspondence or large volumes of email traffic.
If relevant documents exist in the form of internal guidance materials or compiled instructions provided to NDSS administrators or Access Points (including pharmacies), please include those.
If any material is exempt, I request access to an edited copy with exempt content redacted where possible, in accordance with the Act.
Please confirm receipt of this request and advise of any processing charges before proceeding.
Yours faithfully,
Liam Edwards-Playne
OFFICIAL
Good morning,
Acknowledgement of receipt of Freedom of Information request
I refer to your request received by the Department of Health, Disability
and Ageing (the department) for access to documents under the Freedom of
Information Act 1982 (FOI Act). You have requested access to:
Under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (Cth), I request access to the
current documented rules and rationale governing limits on the quantity of
National Diabetes Services Scheme (NDSS) products that may be supplied or
dispensed to an individual.
I am specifically seeking the core policy documents that set out:
The applicable limits (e.g. maximum supply period, quantity caps,
dispensing frequency, per-order restrictions) for NDSS products, including
any changes introduced from 1 January 2019 to the present.
The official rationale and justification for these limits (for example
supply management, cost controls, safety, or other policy reasons), as
recorded in the primary policy or guidance materials.
This request is intended to capture the authoritative “rules and reasons”
documents only (such as policy statements, operational guidelines,
manuals, or internal guidance PDFs), rather than general correspondence or
large volumes of email traffic.
If relevant documents exist in the form of internal guidance materials or
compiled instructions provided to NDSS administrators or Access Points
(including pharmacies), please include those.
If any material is exempt, I request access to an edited copy with exempt
content redacted where possible, in accordance with the Act.
The reference number for your request is FOI 26-2682. Please ensure that
you quote this number in future correspondence with us concerning this
request.
Request for 21 day extension
Your request was received on 6 February 2026. The statutory timeframe for
processing your request is currently 30 calendar days, and the department
is required to provide you with an access decision on or before 9 March
2026.
The FOI Section is currently experiencing a sustained increase in the
volume of FOI requests. This has caused significant operational impact
within the FOI Section.
To ensure the department has sufficient time to process your request, we
are seeking your agreement to extend the period for completing your FOI
request by 21 days (under section 15AA of the FOI Act) . If agreed, the
statutory due for your decision will be 30 March 2026.
If you agree to the department’s request for an extension of time, please
confirm by return email to [1][Department of Health, Disability and Ageing request email] by COB 13 February 2026.
The department will continue to process your request as soon as possible.
Request to exclude irrelevant information from your request
To assist with processing your request, can you also please advise by COB
13 February 2026, if you agree that information regarding any public
service employee names below Senior Executive Service level and direct
telephone numbers of all staff will be excluded from the scope of your
request under s22(1)(a)(ii) of the FOI Act
Other Information
The department may impose a charge for the work involved in providing
access to the documents. If this request attracts a charge you will be
notified in writing.
Unless you advise otherwise any draft and duplicate documents will be
excluded from the scope of your request.
Please note that information released under the FOI Act may later be
published online on our disclosure log
[2]www.health.gov.au/resources/foi-disclosure-log, subject to certain
exceptions. (For example, personal information will not be published where
this would be unreasonable.)
You can contact the FOI team via email at [3][email address] or by phone
on 02 6289 1666, should you have any questions.
Kind regards,
Jordan
Administration Officer – Freedom of Information Section
Commercial and Information Law Branch
Legal Division | Corporate Operations Group
Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing
T: 02 6289 1666| E: [4][email address]
This email comes to you from Ngunnawal Country
Location: Level 3
PO Box 9848, Canberra ACT 2601, Australia
The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing acknowledges First Nations
peoples as the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia, and
their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We pay our
respects to them and their cultures, and to all Elders both past and
present.
OFFICIAL