I have now been in the role at the LSA for nearly four months, and in that time one of the first things I’ve noticed is the strong, genuine commitment to Lifetime Support Scheme (LSS) Participants. There is a clear dedication from our staff and teams to plan and fund high-quality support. I’ve seen many examples of professionalism, care and compassion. I want to acknowledge the meaningful work being done every day to support LSS Participants.
I’ve also taken the opportunity to listen closely to LSS Participants, families and staff to better understand what is working well and where we can improve. Attending the Participant Reference Group (PRG) and the Participant Forum has reinforced for me, the importance of hearing from those with lived experience. We have also received the results of the 2025 Participant Survey, and we are committed to strengthening our services. The feedback, insights and lived experiences of our Participants play a critical role in shaping better outcomes, and that contribution cannot be overstated.
Across the organisation there is a strong focus on:
- Improving service quality and consistency
- Strengthening communication and transparency
- Ensuring LSS Participants feel safe, respected and empowered
- Building stronger relationships between LSS Participants, families and staff
- Driving continuous improvement and accountability.
This work is supported by key initiatives including the development of our new Strategic Plan, SALSA2 and the LSA Elevate program, which will help guide our future direction and strengthen our service delivery.
Looking ahead, we are focused on building a strong and sustainable foundation for a Scheme that continues to grow. There is significant work underway across LSA. This includes early collaborative efforts to review the Person-Centred Practice Manual, improvements to organisational performance reporting, and strengthening our risk assurance framework.
At the same time, we have commenced the transition to a new Oracle accounting system, and our Corporate and Services teams are working together to provide the Board with insights into attendant care trends later this year. Together, this reflects a strong organisational focus on collaboration, transparency and continuous improvement.
So far, we have held two PRG meetings this year. The PRG continues to play an important role in ensuring LSS Participants and families have a genuine opportunity to influence how services are designed and delivered.
Looking externally, we are also monitoring broader Scheme and policy developments. This includes the upcoming LSS Rules Review, including public consultation. We are also engaging with sector partners regarding potential changes arising from potential changes to NDIS eligibility, and considering the implications for Scheme boundaries, funding, and long-term sustainability. We will continue to work collaboratively across jurisdictions to ensure a coordinated and considered approach. We also look forward to welcoming David Price, Chief Executive of the CTP Insurance Regulator’s Office, to our June Board meeting, where he will share insights on the scheme.
There is a great deal happening across the organisation, and I look forward to sharing more with you soon. I hope you enjoy this edition of LSS News and thank you for your continued interest in our work.
Regards,
Dr Peta Smith
Chief Executive, Lifetime Support Authority
