Joint Standing Committee on the National Disability Insurance Scheme
In 2019–20, the Agency was involved in two inquiries by the Parliamentary Joint Standing Committee on the National Disability Insurance Scheme: Inquiry into NDIS Planning, and Inquiry into Supported Independent Living.

The Joint Standing Committee on the National Disability Insurance Scheme is tasked with inquiring into:

• the implementation, performance and governance of the NDIS
• the administration and expenditure of the NDIS
• such other matters in relation to the NDIS as may be referred to it by either House of the Parliament.

The Agency attended three public hearings with the Joint Standing Committee on the National Disability Insurance Scheme on 19 November 2019, 21 November 2019 and 13 February 2020. The Agency also made submissions to the two Joint Standing Committee inquiries; both submissions were made on 11 September 2019.

On 3 December 2019, the committee tabled the Inquiry into NDIS Planning (Interim Report), listed in table 5.7A. The report and Government response are published on the Australian Parliament House website.

On 13 May 2020, the committee tabled the Inquiry into Supported Independent Living Report, listed in table 5.7A. The report is published on the Australian Parliament House website. The Government response will be tabled in August 2020.

Table 5.7A: Joint Standing Committee on the NDIS inquiry reports tabled in 2019–20

Senate Select Committee on COVID-19

On 8 April 2020, the Senate established the Select Committee on COVID-19. The committee is tasked with inquiring into the Australian Government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic and any related matters. The committee is to present its final report on or before 30 June 2022.

The Agency appeared at one public hearing before the Select Committee on COVID-19 on 30 April 2020.

Senate Standing Committee on Community Affairs—References Committee

On 9 September 2019, the Senate referred an inquiry into effective approaches to prevention and diagnosis of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) and strategies for optimising life outcomes for people with FASD to the Senate Community Affairs References Committee for inquiry and report. The Senate Community Affairs References Committee is made up of six Senators. The committee is due to report on 2 December 2020.

The Agency appeared at one public hearing before the committee on 24 June 2020 and made a submission to the inquiry on 15 June 2020.