Dear T, 

 

Freedom of Information Request: Acknowledgement

 

Thank you for your request of 28 September 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: 

 

“…In particular, I request:

 

1.      Internal documents that outline the rationale or criteria used to
determine when psychology supports will or will not be funded under the
Capacity Building Supports category (for all participants).

 

2.      Internal documents that discuss the consideration of the Medicare
Better Access initiative as an alternative to NDIS-funded psychology
supports.

 

3.      Internal documents specifically addressing the funding of
psychology supports for autistic participants…" 

 

Processing Timeframes

 

In accordance with section 15(5)(b) of the FOI Act, a 30-day statutory
period for processing your request commenced from 29 September 2025. This
30-day period expires on 28 October 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 27 November 2025.  

 

Please let us know if you agree by 5pm Tuesday 7 October 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). 

 

 

Action Required

 

Can I please request a response regarding our request for a 30-day
extension of time, by 5pm Tuesday 7 October 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 [1][NDIA request email]. 

 

Kind regards,

 

Beau

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

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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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-----Original Message-----
From: T <[FOI #13737 email]>
Sent: Sunday, 28 September 2025 11:57 AM
To: foi <[NDIA request email]>
Subject: Freedom of Information request - Psychology funding through the
NDIS

 

[You don't often get email from
[6][FOI #13737 email]. Learn why this is
important at [7]https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentific... ]

 

Dear National Disability Insurance Agency,

 

 

 

I am making a request under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (Cth).

 

 

 

I seek access to any internal documents that relate to the assessment,
approval, or denial of psychology supports within NDIS plans. I request
draft and current versions.

 

 

 

In particular, I request:

 

1.      Internal documents that outline the rationale or criteria used to
determine when psychology supports will or will not be funded under the
Capacity Building Supports category (for all participants).

 

2.      Internal documents that discuss the consideration of the Medicare
Better Access initiative as an alternative to NDIS-funded psychology
supports.

 

3.      Internal documents specifically addressing the funding of
psychology supports for autistic participants.

 

 

 

I am not seeking access to:

 

•       individual participant files, case notes, or personal
correspondence, or

 

•       personal information of NDIA staff (I consent to names and contact
details of staff being redacted/withheld).

 

 

 

Yours faithfully,

 

 

 

T

 

 

 

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

 

[8][FOI #13737 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
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2. mailto:[NDIA request email]
4. https://intranet.ndiastaff.ndia.gov.au/h...
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