The NDIS provides funding to people with disability. The funding plans last for one, two or three years. Sometimes, you may not agree with the plan the NDIS has provided you. It is your right to ask the NDIS to review it.
First, the NDIS will do an internal review. Different people from the NDIS will look over your plan and decide if the first people made a mistake.
If they agree with the first people, it is your right to appeal the NDIS decision to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT). During an AAT review, you can be represented by yourself or someone you know, or the NDIS can provide an advocate or legal assistance.
Late last year the Australian Government announced that the AAT would be replaced by a new body. This new body will do the same thing, although we don’t know its name or when it will start.
If you currently have an appeal in progress, it will still be seen by the AAT and the AAT’s decision will still be final. If you are thinking of making an appeal, you can still do so at any time.
The NDIS has also introduced the Independent Expert Review (IER) program. You may be asked to see this board if you have lodged a case with the AAT. The IER is optional and free.
IER staff are independent and do not work for the NDIS. An IER agent will meet with you and make a non-binding recommendation.
If you like this recommendation, and the NDIS accepts it, you will not have to go to the AAT. If you do not like this recommendation, you can reject it and it will not affect the AAT’s decision.
If you do choose to take part in the IER and want to pull out, you can do so at any time and any records the Independent agent has will be destroyed. If you take part in the IER, your AAT hearing will not be delayed.