Toward a National Quality Framework for Disability Services in Australia
Revision of the National Standards for Disability Services
Revision of the 1993 National Standards for Disability Services Consultation
Useful Links
Bulletins
In January 2009, State, Territory and the Australian Government Disabilities Ministers signed up to a new National Disability Agreement (NDA), providing a national framework and key areas of reform for the provision of government support to services for people with disability.
The National Standards for Disability Services (National Standards) are being revised during a period of significant reform for disability services in Australia.
The development of nationally consistent quality standards for the disability services sector has been identified as part of the National Disability Agreement foundation reforms for a proposed NDIS under Quality (within a national quality framework).
The work started in 2010 with consultations to find out what people thought about the National Standards developed in 1993, and how they should be updated.
The six revised draft National Standards are summarised as:
- Rights
- Participation
- Individual Outcomes
- Feedback and Complaints
- Service Access
- Service Management
Before the draft National Standards are finalised, a validation study will be conducted to confirm that the draft National Standards are a practical tool for improving service quality. A key process underpinning the validation study is national consultation with stakeholders. Consultation will be held up to June 2012.
Consultation feedback will be used to inform a final set of National Standards.
Revision of the National Standards for Disability Services
You will be able to participate in the validation study in the following ways:
On-line survey
The online survey will open in May 2012 for a period of six weeks and be available on the National Quality Framework project website 
.
If you prefer a hard-copy version of the survey, please contact the Disability ACT Information Service on 62071086.
Written submissions
A call for written submissions will also be opened in May 2012 for a period of six weeks. This method is particularly recommended for organisations, networks or community groups who wish to provide feedback on the draft National Standards. Written submissions may be submitted online by completing the template that will be available on the National Quality Framework project website .
If you prefer a hard-copy version of the written submission guidelines, please contact the Disability ACT Information Service on 62071086.
Facilitated workshops and focus groups
The Australian, State and Territory governments have worked together to develop a national face-to-face consultation process. Jurisdictions will manage a targeted invitation process for the face-to-face consultation.
For more information on the National Standards for Disability services, please visit the National Quality Framework website at http://www.dhs.vic.gov.au/for-service-providers/disability/service-quality-and-improvement/national-quality-framework-for-disability-services-in-australia
For more information on the National Disability Insurance Scheme, please visit http://www.ndis.gov.au/
Revision of the 1993 National Standards for Disability Services Consultation
To support the implementation of the NQF, a review of the National Standards for Disability Services (introduced in 1993) was announced. From the review it is expected that gaps in the current National Standards will be addressed, and contemporary language and concepts will be included. As part of the development and implementation of a NQF, investigation will also be undertaken of opportunities to introduce, where appropriate, generic or common quality requirements across the country.
In February 2011 Community and Disability Services Ministers' Advisory Council (CDSMAC) endorsed the revision of the National Standards, and implementation of a final version of a National Quality Framework for Disability Services.
Key findings include:
- There is a low level of knowledge of the National Standards amongst people with a disability, in particular people with an intellectual disability, and families/carers.
- Structural changes to the National Standards are needed, including revising their language, format, explanations, and supporting information.
- There is a perceived view that the primary purpose of the National Standards should be to protect rights, outcomes and quality of life for people with a disability.
- The conceptual components of the National Standards should be retained, but need to be redeveloped to be clearer, more relevant and contemporary.
- There is support for an assessment process aimed to assess both service user outcomes and service provider actions within a ‘quality’ and ‘continuous improvement’ framework, and for assessment to be based on independent monitoring, with a component of self-assessment by service providers.
Report on the Consultation Data for the Revision of the National Standards for Disability Services (Disability Studies and Research Centre, UNSW November 2010)
National Quality Framework Working Group Response to University of NSW Recommendations [PDF 146KB] [RTF 149KB]
Accessible information on the consultation findings are being prepared for release, including an easy read version of the DSRC UNSW report and fact sheets in community languages, and will be available in July 2011.
Useful Links
National Standards for Disability Services
www.fahcsia.gov.au/sa/disability/standards/Pages/default.aspx
Easy Read version of the National Standards for Disability Services (with Pictures) [PDF 360KB]
Easy Read version of the National Standards for Disability Services [PDF 55KB] [RTF 44KB]
For more information on the National Standards for Disability services, please visit the National Quality Framework website at
http://www.dhs.vic.gov.au/for-service-providers/disability/service-quality-and-improvement/national-quality-framework-for-disability-services-in-australia
For more information on the National Disability Insurance Scheme, please visit http://www.ndis.gov.au/
Bulletins
Bulletin 9, April 2012 [PDF 35KB] [Word 72KB]
Bulletin 9, April 2012 Easy Read [PDF 44KB] [Word 81KB]
Bulletin 7, September 2010 [PDF 57KB] [RTF 970KB]
Bulletin 7, September 2010 Easy Read [PDF 52KB] [RTF 954KB]
Bulletin 6, September 2010 [PDF 55KB] [RTF 1.7MB]
Bulletin 6, September 2010 Easy Read [PDF 56KB] [RTF 1.6MB]
