The South Australian Department of Human Services (DHS) is seeking feedback on the Disability Inclusion (Restrictive Practices—NDIS) Regulations 2021.

The Disability Inclusion (Restrictive Practices – NDIS) Amendment Bill 2021 was passed on 11 May 2021. The Bill creates a legislative framework for the use of restrictive practices by NDIS providers for NDIS participants and establishes new roles. The Senior Authorising Officer and the Authorised Program Officers will have responsibility for reviewing and approving the use of restrictive practices.

The regulations and guidelines will provide more detail about the authorisation scheme, including:

• the skills and qualifications of the new roles
•  level 1 and level 2 restrictive practices
•  prohibited practices
•  the processes of applying, implementing, reviewing and reporting restrictive practices.

Public consultation on the regulation is open now until 2 July 2021 on the YourSAy website which includes the Restrictive practice background paper on regulations, Frequently Asked Questions, and a report of the consultation on the Bill.

NDS encourages members to read the documents and provide feedback to ensure that the regulations and guidelines are clear, simple and effective for NDIS participants and NDIS service providers.

DHS has been invited to attend NDS's Quality and Safeguards Community of Practice meeting on Friday, 18 June as a part of a consultation on the regulations. Please email  submit enquiry/feedback to register your interest to join the meeting.