Summary of training and competencies for NDIS Planners

Currently waiting for a response from National Disability Insurance Agency, they should respond promptly and normally no later than (details).

Dear National Disability Insurance Agency,

Can the NDIA please provide a summary of training and competencies for NDIS Planners and indicate how frequently these are reviewed in the light of changes to legislation and operational guidelines. Do front of house staff receive specific training in current best evidence based trauma informed practices and disability specific awareness ? If so what checks are made to ensure that learnings are integrated into every day work ?

Yours faithfully,

David Harraway

foi, National Disability Insurance Agency

3 Attachments

Dear David Harraway,

 

Freedom of Information Request: Acknowledgement & Extension of Time
Request 

 

Thank you for your request on 14 August 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: 

 

“…FOI Request:

 

Can the NDIA please provide a summary of training and competencies for
NDIS Planners and indicate how frequently these are reviewed in the light
of changes to legislation and operational guidelines. Do front of house
staff receive specific training in current best evidence based trauma
informed practices and disability specific awareness ? If so what checks
are made to ensure that learnings are integrated into every day work ?…" 

 

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 August 2025. This
30-day period expires on 14 September 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 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 14 October 2025.  

 

Please let us know if you agree by 22 August 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 an FOI decision is not made within
the statutory timeframe. This is because when 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 Office of the Australian Information Commission
(OAIC).

 

You are not obligated to agree to this request; you would still retain
your review rights with our regulatory body OAIC.

 

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 NDIA staff members’
surnames and contact details would be relevant to you.

 

Can you please send me a reply email confirming such details are
irrelevant to your request for access?

 

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. Please
respond confirming such details are irrelevant to your request for access.

 

Action Required

 1. Please response regarding our request for a 30-day extension of time,
by 22 August 2025
 2. Please reply confirming staff members’ names are irrelevant to your
request

 

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 shall contact you using the email address you have provided, please
advise if you would prefer us to use an alternative means of contact.

 

Further information can be found on our [1]Freedom of Information webpage.

 

Should you have any questions please contact us at [2][NDIA request email].

 

Kind regards,

 

Bree

Triage Officer – Triage and Early Resolution

Information Release, Privacy and Legal Operations Branch

Reviews and Information Release Division

National Disability Insurance Agency

[3][NDIA request email]

[4]NDIA logo

[5]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.

 

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