NEWS

Welfare reform changes
NADA has been working with the AOD Peaks Network to advocate on behalf of our members about the impact of recent changes to welfare payments for clients accessing treatment. The key issues were communicated at a recent meeting with the Department of Social Services, the Department of Human Services and the Department of Jobs and Small Business. The outcome of the meeting were three actions:

1. Development of a fact sheet to help jobactive providers better understand AOD treatment.
2. A template letter for members to adapt and give to jobactive providers and Centrelink on behalf of clients that outlines the length of treatment. The Department of Jobs and Small Business will provide the template to the network of jobactive providers with advice that the letter from AOD treatment providers should be accepted and satisfy the requirements of clients for the length of treatment. We will send you the template shortly.
3. NADA has also been given a contact to escalate issues where an individual jobactive provider does not accept advice about AOD treatment. Please contact us if you need to escalate an issue with a jobactive provider.

Members have also expressed concerns about the transitioning of clients from the Disability Support Pension to Newstart, as well as the length of time for clients not currently receiving benefits to commence when they start treatment. NADA will raise these concerns with the relevant departments.
More updates are included in the linked file.
Read sector watch [PDF]