Request for Data Sources and Benchmarking Methodology Behind 2025 ARP
Dear National Disability Insurance Agency,
I am requesting documents under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 related to the 2024–25 Annual Pricing Review (released 11 June 2025), which stated:
“This year’s Review was also informed by the largest and most comprehensive collection of data to support its therapy pricing recommendations – covering more than 10 million additional transactions. Benchmarking now includes Medicare data, private health insurance claims and data from 13 comparable government schemes.”
I request the following documents:
1. A full list of the 13 comparable government schemes used for benchmarking
2. Documents explaining how data from these schemes, Medicare, and private health insurance claims was obtained
3. A clear outline of the benchmarking methodology used
As a healthcare professional who follows evidence-based practice, I believe it’s essential that this type of data is available for further independent review.
Many in the allied health sector are concerned that the data used was selectively chosen or not representative of the full picture. I don’t share that view automatically, but the only way to confirm or disprove this is through open, transparent review.
In research, peer review – where qualified experts evaluate the validity of data and conclusions – is standard practice. If the benchmarking process was robust, sharing this information will strengthen public trust and help dismiss the narrative that the data was cherry-picked. If not, we have a shared moral responsibility to fix it – because these decisions impact the lives and livelihoods of thousands of people with disability and their support providers.
I request the documents in digital format. If any parts of the documents are exempt, please release the remaining content with appropriate redactions.
Yours faithfully,
Brendon Arizala
Thank you for your email to the National Disability Insurance Agency
(NDIA) Freedom of Information (FOI) team.
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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
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Dear Brendan Arizala,
Freedom of Information Request: Acknowledgement & Extension of Time
Request
Thank you for your request of 27 June 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 am requesting documents under the Freedom of Information Act 1982
related to the 2024–25 Annual Pricing Review (released 11 June 2025),
which stated:
“This year’s Review was also informed by the largest and most
comprehensive collection of data to support its therapy pricing
recommendations – covering more than 10 million additional transactions.
Benchmarking now includes Medicare data, private health insurance claims
and data from 13 comparable government schemes.”
I request the following documents:
1. A full list of the 13 comparable government schemes used for
benchmarking
2. Documents explaining how data from these schemes, Medicare, and private
health insurance claims was obtained
3. A clear outline of the benchmarking methodology used..."
Processing Timeframes
In accordance with section 15(5)(b) of the FOI Act, a 30-day statutory
period for processing your request commenced from 28 June 2025. This
30-day period expires on 27 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 26 August 2025.
Please let us know if you agree by Tuesday 8 July 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
Can I please request a response regarding our request for a 30-day
extension of time, by Tuesday 8 July 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,
Mackenzie
Triage Officer – Triage and Early Resolution
Information Release, Privacy and Legal Operations Branch
Reviews and Information Release Division
National Disability Insurance Agency
[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.
Dear foi,
Thank you for your assistance with this. The information in this request is no longer required.
Yours sincerely,
Brendon Arizala