The NDIS arrived to change disability support in Australia, likely to impact on 460,000 Australians with disability, their families and carers – considered to be the biggest reform in government benefits since Medicare.

The scheme moves support away from a one-size-fits-all approach to a new model based on choice and control for people with disability: consumers now have the power to decide how they receive their supports. Key principles underpinning the approach are certainty, consistency and equity.

This shift in purchasing power and decision-making capability means that from a provider perspective, the landscape is changing rapidly. While many organisations and providers are keen to embrace the change, at organisational level there is a need to think critically about how current operational, service and business models are placed to meet the change.

In some places, the scheme is said to double the number of Australians accessing support and services, translating to an increasingly large and diverse consumer group. The resulting demand for disability services will generate unprecedented growth in the sector, opening up opportunities for increasing service diversification. In Victoria alone, the disability services market is expected to grow from $2.6 billion to $5.1 billion by 2020.

What does this shift in the way services are being delivered mean for providers?

• Reviewing business models and organisational strategy to be able to adapt and thrive in a commercial market
• Understanding the competitive landscape, identifying a target market and developing solutions, including assessing for geographic growth and partnership potential
• Reviewing needs for investment in technologies, financial and human resources
• Ensuring an organisational culture of agility and responsiveness to change which is driven by external market factors

Contact Larter to discuss your needs.

 

Image: Some rights reserved by Mr Moss