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 Hannah,

Freedom of Information Request: Acknowledgement
Thank you for your request of 14 June 2025, made under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act), for copies of documents/information held by the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA).

Scope of your Request
You have requested access to:

“ … I request access under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (Cth) to documents held by the NDIA relating to the development and endorsement of internal planner guidance tools concerning Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD).

Specifically, I seek:

1. All internal correspondence, meeting minutes, policy advice, or decision-making documents relating to the development and approval of the "FASD Disability Snapshot" produced by SGP KP Publishing (or other related guidance tools), particularly those that informed the omission of social workers as recognised providers of capacity-building supports.

2. Any internal guidelines, classification systems, or draft content from 2020 to present that relate to the categorisation of social work in relation to FASD—especially within the context of functional assessment, psychosocial support, or therapy under Capacity Building – Improved Daily Living.

3. Any correspondence between the NDIA and the AASW, NOFASD, or the FASD Research Australia Centre of Research Excellence regarding professional roles or provider types in relation to FASD...”

Processing Timeframes
In accordance with section 15(5)(b) of the FOI Act, a 30-day statutory period for processing your request commenced from 15 June 2025. This 30-day period expires on 14 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 13 August 2025.

Please let us know if you agree by COB Monday 23 June 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
1. Can I please request a response regarding our request for a 30 day extension of time, by COB Monday 23 June 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 [NDIA request email].

Regards,

Saoirse
She/Her
Triage Officer – Triage and Early Resolution
Information Release, Privacy and Legal Operations Branch
Reviews and Information Release Division
National Disability Insurance Agency
E [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.

-----Original Message-----
From: Hannah <[FOI #13290 email]>
Sent: Saturday, 14 June 2025 9:55 AM
To: foi <[NDIA request email]>
Subject: Freedom of Information request - Request for documents showing how the NDIA determined the exclusion of social workers from recognised support providers in internal FASD planning tools and snapshots.

[You don't often get email from [FOI #13290 email]. Learn why this is important at https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentific... ]

Dear National Disability Insurance Agency,

I request access under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (Cth) to documents held by the NDIA relating to the development and endorsement of internal planner guidance tools concerning Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD).

Specifically, I seek:

1. All internal correspondence, meeting minutes, policy advice, or decision-making documents relating to the development and approval of the "FASD Disability Snapshot" produced by SGP KP Publishing (or other related guidance tools), particularly those that informed the omission of social workers as recognised providers of capacity-building supports.

2. Any internal guidelines, classification systems, or draft content from 2020 to present that relate to the categorisation of social work in relation to FASD—especially within the context of functional assessment, psychosocial support, or therapy under Capacity Building – Improved Daily Living.

3. Any correspondence between the NDIA and the AASW, NOFASD, or the FASD Research Australia Centre of Research Excellence regarding professional roles or provider types in relation to FASD.

This request is made in the public interest given the critical need for evidence-based, multidisciplinary planning for participants with FASD. I am happy to refine or consult if needed.

Yours faithfully,

Hannah

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

[FOI #13290 email]

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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:

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