Disability Employment Services funding level tool reference group
The discussion paper The Future of Disability Employment Services in Australia and subsequent Minister’s announcement provided details of the reform to the Disability Employment Network and Vocational Rehabilitation Services and the introduction from 1 March 2010 of the new Disability Employment Services. An important part of the implementation will be to ensure stakeholders continue to be engaged in the development of the new Disability Employment Services.
An important component of the new Disability Employment Services will be the development of a Funding Level Tool which will be applied when a job seeker is referred to Program B from the commencement of the new service on 1st March 2010. The tool will determine which of the two Program B funding levels will apply. This will be an automated process using objective job seeker characteristics and factors (such as disability type, age, gender, location) which have been collected by both Centrelink and during the Job Capacity Assessment.
The Minister has asked that a reference group of key industry bodies be established to contribute to the development of the funding level tool. Representatives to participate on this reference group are:
- ACE National Network Inc
- Australian Rehabilitation Providers Association
- National Employment Services Association
- Jobs Australia Limited
- National Disability Services
- Australian Federation of Disability Organisations.
The South Australian Centre for Economic Studies has been engaged to provide expert statistical advice on the characteristics and methodology to be used for the funding level assessment tool.
The first meeting of the reference group was held on 24 April 2009 in Melbourne. The initial meeting included an introductory presentation and detailed two possible methodologies to underpin the development of the tool.
It is a probity requirement that information about the process is communicated in a consistent and uniform manner, and in a way that avoids any potential tenderer gaining an unfair advantage. In this context it is not appropriate for existing providers or those intending to submit a tender to be part of the membership of the reference group. It will, however be important for the reference group, through these peak organisations to be able to provide input that reflects the views of the industry overall about the tool’s development.
Further regular meetings will be held over the next couple of months to finalise the factors to be included in the tool.