Members of the NDIS Specialist Disability Accommodation Reference Group Announced

CANBERRA, Australia, March 15 -- The Australian Department of Social Services' Minister for Families and Social Services, Paul Fletcher, issued the following news release:

Minister for Families and Social Services, Paul Fletcher, and Assistant Minister for Social Services, Housing and Disability Services, Sarah Henderson, have today announced the members of the new National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) Reference Group.

Mr Fletcher said the Liberal National Government was committed to consulting with stakeholders, experts, and people with lived experience of disability to deliver the world-first NDIS.

"At full Scheme, the NDIS is expected to provide around $700 million per year to participants to access high quality, fit-for-purpose housing in a variety of configurations to suit people's needs and preferences," Mr Fletcher said.

"The purpose of the SDA reference group is to represent participants, providers, investors and other key stakeholders, and to support and promote the development of the SDA market as we implement reforms announced in February, improving choice and control for participants.

"Membership of the SDA Reference Group includes 15 appointed representatives from across the disability sector, including SDA providers such as community housing providers, investors and financiers, developers, and research and policy organisations.

"The reference group also includes participants and government representatives.

"Members will be joined by key senior representatives of the Department of Social Services, NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission and NDIA.

"The membership of the group reflects the diversity of SDA stakeholders, experts and the market."

In addition to government, the SDA Reference Group members include representatives of:

Participant representatives

* Ability First Australia

* Achieve Australia

* Guardian Living

* InHousing

* Lighthouse Infrastructure

* Macquarie Group

* National Disability Services

* People with Disability Australia

* Power Housing

* SDA Alliance

* Spinal Cord Injuries Australia

* Summer Housing

* Supported Independent Living Co-op

* The Summer Foundation

* Youngcare

Ms Henderson said there was broad and inclusive sector representation amongst the group, and thanked the over 120 organisations and individuals who had submitted an expression of interest for membership.

"We received a large number of expressions of interest, and are grateful to the people and organisations who have volunteered their time and expertise to assist us in growing the long-term viability of SDA investments."

"Members of the SDA Reference Group were selected based on their ability to represent the views of their stakeholders most effectively, and their knowledge of the range of issues and opportunities of their group.

"We look forward to feedback on how SDA is being implemented, participant experiences with the process, as well as how we can better innovate and stimulate the market, to ultimately provide better outcomes and opportunities for NDIS participants."

The Government announced the establishment of the SDA Reference Group in February 2019 as part of a suite of reforms to improve investor confidence and increase the supply of SDA for eligible NDIS participants.

The SDA Reference Group is expected to meet regularly, with the first meeting planned for the end of March 2019. The SDA Reference Group will consult with other stakeholders where appropriate, including state and territory governments.